Our Favourite Places to Cycle in London

Whether you’ve been inspired by ‘Cycle to Work Day’ or simply enjoy sightseeing from a bicycle seat, the capital is sure to have a cycle route to suit. Join us while we recap our favourite places to cycle in London!

Places to Cycle in London: Richmond Park Circuit

The Tamsin Trail, which circles around Richmond Park, is one of the best places to cycle in London. Suitable for any skill level, this leafy 12-kilometre trail takes you around the perimeter of the famous park, allowing you to absorb many of the key attractions (including the famous deer which graze in parts of the woodland).

Join the path at one of the entrance gates and cycle past Pembroke Lodge (a well-preserved Georgian mansion); the beautiful gardens of the Isabella Plantation; and the manicured foliage of Ham House (a historic Tudor home). If you ride up to the top of the hill, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views of London, including St Paul’s Cathedral.

Regent’s Park Circuit

Regent’s Park offers a rare opportunity to get in a good workout in central London and feel part of a true cycling community! The Outer Circle is home to hundreds of cyclists every day: relatively free of hazards (some parts of the park are car-free), with lots of lovely views, this popular cycling circuit is like an unofficial velodrome.

Each circuit is 4.4km, meaning that it’s easy to get in a short or lengthy workout, depending how many times you go round. Every lap will take you past attractive flowerbeds, large green spaces, and some interesting landmarks (such as the US ambassador’s residence and the giraffe enclosure of London Zoo).

River Thames Route

On this easy route, which starts at Westminster Pier and finishes in Kew, you’ll whizz past some of London’s most iconic landmarks – a visual treat that is sure to make the ride fly by!

Begin at Big Ben and then head west along the A3212 (loosely following the shape of the River Thames): you’ll pass the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey and then, after a time, you should be able to spot Battersea Power Station from across the river. When you reach Wandsworth Bridge, detour onto the Thames Path, where you’ll need to dismount for a short while (which is no bad thing, as it gives you a breather and allows you to enjoy the gorgeous scenery). Cross the river at Putney Bridge and cycle along the embankment before finishing up on Kew Bridge. But your trip doesn’t have to end there: you could lock up your bike and take a stroll around the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, which is just round the corner (an ideal way to wind down after a good workout!).

Olympic Park to Wanstead Flats

The Olympic Park is a destination all in itself: just eight miles from the centre of London, the Lee Valley VeloPark – which includes an indoor velodrome (the fastest track in the world) plus a one-mile, floodlight road circuit and 8km of traffic-free mountain bike trails – is a fantastic option for both experienced and novice cyclists.

However, if you’re in the mood for something more relaxed, we recommend cycling around the pedestrianised Olympic Village (perhaps with a sneaky peek at the daredevils whizzing around the VeloPark as you pass) before heading east into Stratford itself. Choose a route that will lead to Cann Hall Road, where you can continue your ride across the Wanstead Flats: a gorgeous expanse of green, open grassland, with plenty of different trails to explore either on your bike or on foot.

The Parkland Walk Route

Indulge in the best that North London has to offer with this fantastic route linking two of the area’s most famous parks.

Hop on your bike at Finsbury Park and cycle along the pleasantly flat Parkland Walk (a leafy path that was once a railway track). There’s only a small section where you’ll need to cycle on the road, which makes this an extremely relaxing route.

When you hit Archway Road, you can turn left and head down into Highgate (eventually reaching the famous Cemetery – which contains the graves of notable individuals like Karl Marx and George Eliot, among others) or take the trail to the right and cycle past Highgate Wood and through Muswell Hill to Alexandra Palace. Alexandra Palace Park is a famous green space with some of the best views in the capital, a boating lake, a pitch-and-putt course, and – of course - the beautiful Palace itself. Enjoy!