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The London Bridge to Greenwich walk is a fun route to do with family or friends, or by yourself on a sunny summer day. I have completed this walk many times, most recently during summer 2026 when my family came to visit London.
The route we followed was approximately 10 kilometres and took around four and a half hours of walking. We divided it into two roughly equal sections, stopping in Limehouse before continuing through Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
One of my favourite things about this walk is watching London change along the way. You pass historic docks, modern riverside homes and quieter residential areas, while the skyline looks different every time you turn around.
London Bridge to Greenwich Walk at a Glance
- Distance: Approximately 10 kilometres
- Walking time: Around four and a half hours, excluding longer stops
- Starting point: London Bridge
- Halfway stop: Bread Street Kitchen & Bar – Limehouse.
- Finishing point: Cutty Sark in Greenwich
- Route: London Bridge, The Queen’s Walk, Tower Bridge, St Katharine Docks, Limehouse, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs and Greenwich Foot Tunnel
- Difficulty: Mostly flat, but long enough to require comfortable shoes
- Things to consider: Riverside detours and stairs at the Greenwich Foot Tunnel
- Return options: DLR, National Rail or Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Distances and timings may vary slightly depending on your starting point, the Thames Path diversions in place and how often you stop for photographs.
Starting the Walk at London Bridge
We began at London Bridge on the south bank and followed The Queen’s Walk towards Tower Bridge. After crossing Tower Bridge, we continued past St Katharine Docks and followed the north-bank route east towards Limehouse.
The first half of the walk mainly followed the Thames Path towards Limehouse. This section took us around two hours and covered approximately five kilometres.
One of the early highlights was passing St Katharine Docks. The boats, waterside buildings and quieter corners made an interesting contrast with the busier streets around London Bridge and Tower Bridge.
As we continued east, we passed several attractive residential docks and waterside developments. I enjoyed looking at the different styles of architecture, but the view behind us was just as important as the route ahead.
Do not forget to turn around occasionally. The London skyline changes throughout the walk, and familiar buildings begin to disappear as you move further east.
If you would like to eat near London Bridge before setting off, my OMA Borough Market review covers a Greek-inspired restaurant close to the starting area.
The First Five Kilometres to Limehouse
The first five kilometres felt relaxed and easy to follow because much of the route stayed close to the river.
Although this is an urban walk, it does not feel as though you are simply walking through busy London streets. There are stretches with open river views, boats, old dockside features and quieter residential areas.
We were not rushing, and we stopped occasionally to take photographs and enjoy the views. It took us roughly two hours to reach Limehouse.
This is a useful point to take a proper break before beginning the second half of the route.
Our Halfway Stop at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar – Limehouse
We stopped at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar – Limehouse, which sits beside the Thames on Narrow Street.
It was a convenient place to rest, have a drink and, importantly during a long walk, use the toilets while we were there as customers.
The riverside setting also made it feel like part of the walk rather than a detour away from it. After approximately five kilometres, sitting down for a while gave us the energy we needed for the longer and slightly more complicated second half.
Opening hours can change, so I recommend checking before relying on it as your planned stopping point.
Walking from Limehouse Towards Canary Wharf
After leaving Limehouse, we continued towards Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs.
This part of the route took us approximately two and a half hours. It was still around five kilometres, but it felt slower because the Thames Path does not remain directly beside the river for the entire section.
There were several points where the riverside path appeared to stop or where building developments required us to take a short diversion.
Do not worry if this happens. Keep walking in the general direction of the river, follow any Thames Path signs you can see and use a map on your phone when necessary. In our experience, the riverside route eventually appeared again.
Canary Wharf gives this section a completely different atmosphere. The historic docks and lower residential buildings gradually give way to glass towers, offices and modern developments.
This contrast is one of the reasons I enjoy the walk so much. It shows several different sides of London within one route.
Following the Thames Path Around the Isle of Dogs
After passing Canary Wharf, we continued around the Isle of Dogs towards the northern entrance of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
This part required a little more attention because of the Thames Path diversions. The route occasionally moved away from the river before returning to it.
I recommend keeping your phone charged and having the route open on a map. It is also worth allowing extra time rather than expecting to complete the walk at a fast, uninterrupted pace.
The skyline continues to change throughout this section. Looking back towards Canary Wharf gives you a completely different view of the towers, while Greenwich begins to appear across the river as you approach the tunnel.
Walking Through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel connects the Isle of Dogs with Greenwich beneath the River Thames.
By this stage, we knew we were close to the finish.
There are stairs to consider at both ends of the tunnel, although lifts are also available when operating. I recommend checking the current tunnel and lift status before starting the walk, particularly if stairs may be difficult for anyone in your group.
The tunnel is regularly used during the day, and we saw other people walking through it. However, I personally prefer doing this part of the route during daylight and would not choose to walk through it alone late at night.
Once you reach the other side and come back above ground, you arrive beside the Cutty Sark. Seeing the ship after walking approximately 10 kilometres feels like a proper finish line.
Arriving at Cutty Sark in Greenwich
Emerging beside the Cutty Sark is one of the most satisfying parts of the walk.
Greenwich has plenty to explore, but after four and a half hours of walking, we were ready to sit down and have dinner.
We went to The Ship Greenwich, which is conveniently located on Greenwich Promenade in Cutty Sark Gardens.
Dinner at The Ship Greenwich
We were lucky to find an outdoor table because it was a hot summer day.
The Ship had a relaxed pub atmosphere, and there was live music during our visit. The menu included familiar pub food such as fish and chips, while I ordered the flat iron steak.
My steak was cooked perfectly and was exactly the kind of meal I wanted after completing the walk.
I can recommend The Ship as a convenient place to finish the day. Its location near the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Pier also makes it easy to continue your journey afterwards.
Returning from Greenwich to London Bridge
There are several ways to return from Greenwich.
Cutty Sark DLR station is nearby, and you can use the DLR before connecting with the Tube for your onward journey. Greenwich railway station is another option, depending on where you need to go.
For a more enjoyable ending, you can take an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers from Greenwich Pier back to London Bridge City Pier.
We chose the Uber Boat, which felt like the perfect way to complete the day. After spending hours walking beside the Thames, we were able to relax and see much of the route again from the water.
Our journey cost around £14, although current fares depend on the ticket type and time of travel and may change. You can use Oyster or contactless payment by touching in before boarding and touching out after leaving the boat.
The river journey gave us one final view of London and made the return trip feel like part of the experience rather than simply transport home.
If you would prefer to arrange your return journey in advance, this Uber Boat by Thames Clippers single river ticket can be used for a one-way journey between eligible Central and East zone piers, including Greenwich and London Bridge.
Practical Tips for the London Bridge to Greenwich Walk
Allow Enough Time
Our walking time was approximately four and a half hours, but you should allow longer for photographs, route checks and a proper break in Limehouse.
Start early enough to reach the Greenwich Foot Tunnel during daylight, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the route.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The route is mostly flat, but 10 kilometres is still a substantial walk. Comfortable shoes make a big difference, especially during the second half.
Bring Water
There are places to stop along the way, but carrying water is useful during warmer weather and on the quieter sections of the route.
Keep a Map Available
The Thames Path is not continuous beside the river throughout the entire walk. Around Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, you may encounter diversions that briefly take you away from the water.
Check the Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Check the current tunnel and lift status before setting out. Even when the tunnel is open, one of the lifts may occasionally be unavailable, meaning you will need to use the stairs.
Plan a Halfway Stop
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar – Limehouse worked well as our halfway break, but there are plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants along the route where you can stop for a drink or something to eat.
I recommend choosing a convenient stopping point around the halfway mark, especially if you would like to sit down, rest and use the toilets before continuing towards Greenwich.
Check Your Return Journey
If you plan to take the Uber Boat, check the current timetable and fare before leaving. Make sure your Oyster card has sufficient pay-as-you-go credit, or use a contactless card.
For another Thames-side London experience near the beginning of this route, read my HMS Belfast London review.
Is the London Bridge to Greenwich Walk Worth Doing?
Yes. I have completed this walk several times, and I would happily do it again.
It is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but it remains manageable when divided into two sections with a break in Limehouse.
What makes it memorable is the variety. You pass historic docks, riverside homes, modern Canary Wharf, the quieter Isle of Dogs and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel before finishing beside the Cutty Sark.
Doing the walk with my family made this visit particularly enjoyable. We had time to talk, take photographs and watch the London skyline change around us without rushing.
Finishing with dinner at The Ship and an Uber Boat journey back to London Bridge turned a simple 10-kilometre walk into a full summer day out.
If you enjoy exploring London on foot and want to see more than the usual central landmarks, the London Bridge to Greenwich walk is a route I can genuinely recommend.
