Discover a Different Side of London with the KAYAK London Travel Guide

London is one of those cities that can be visited again and again without ever feeling completely discovered.

Beyond the famous landmarks, museums and busy shopping streets, there is another London waiting to be explored: riverside paths, historic neighbourhoods, royal parks, woodland, villages and beautiful countryside that can often be reached directly by train from the centre of the capital.

That is why we were especially pleased when KAYAK contacted Hiking in London while working on its London Travel Guide. It is always exciting to see travel platforms encouraging visitors to look beyond the obvious and discover more of what London and its surroundings have to offer.

A London Travel Guide for Curious Travellers

Visiting London can sometimes feel overwhelming. There is so much to see that deciding where to begin is often one of the hardest parts of planning a trip.

The KAYAK London Travel Guide provides travellers with a useful starting point for discovering the capital, understanding its different areas and finding inspiration for what they might like to experience during their stay.

London has world-famous attractions, but it is also a city made up of neighbourhoods, parks, riverside paths, markets and local areas that all have their own personality.

Sometimes the most memorable part of a visit is not necessarily the landmark you planned months in advance, but the unexpected place you discover while getting there.

London Becomes Different When You Walk It

Walking changes the way you experience a city.

Instead of simply travelling from one attraction to another, you begin to notice everything that exists between them.

A hidden garden behind a busy road. A quiet Georgian square. An old pub tucked into a side street. A riverside path. Historic architecture. A local market. A viewpoint you would never have noticed from a bus or Underground train.

These small discoveries are often the moments people remember most clearly after their trip.

A Capital Surrounded by Nature

One of London's greatest advantages for walkers is how quickly the urban landscape can change.

The city's extensive railway network means that in a relatively short journey you can leave busy central London and find yourself among forests, rivers, open countryside, rolling hills and historic villages.

From the Thames Valley and the Chilterns to Surrey, Kent and Sussex, there are hundreds of walking routes accessible from London without needing a car.

Even the south coast can be reached easily enough for a full day of walking beside dramatic cliffs and the sea.

Make London Your Starting Point

Visitors often think about London purely as the destination. We like to think about it slightly differently.

London can also be the starting point for an extraordinary variety of adventures.

A train from the capital can take you towards ancient woodland, river valleys, historic villages, chalk hills, castles, coastal paths and some of southern England's most beautiful countryside.

That makes London particularly interesting for travellers who enjoy combining city breaks with outdoor experiences.

Sometimes the Journey Is the Attraction

Modern travel often concentrates on destinations: the museum, the monument, the restaurant or the viewpoint.

Hiking reminds us that the journey itself can be just as memorable.

Walking gives you time to notice changes in the landscape, speak to other people, discover places you had not planned to visit and experience a destination at a completely different pace.

This is especially true around London, where a single walk can pass through centuries of history in only a few kilometres.

Discover More with Hiking in London

Hiking in London brings together people who enjoy walking, travelling and discovering new places.

Our programme includes countryside walks accessible from London, coastal adventures, social events and hiking trips throughout the UK and abroad.

You do not need to know anyone before joining. Many people arrive on their own and finish the day having shared an adventure with a completely new group of people.

Explore Upcoming Walks → About Hiking in London

Leave Some Space in Your Itinerary

If you are visiting London, enjoy everything the capital is famous for.

Visit the museums. Walk beside the Thames. Explore the historic streets. Try the restaurants. Discover the markets and the city's different neighbourhoods.

But also consider leaving one day free.

Take a train somewhere you have never heard of. Step onto a footpath. Walk through a forest or beside a river. Stop for lunch in a village pub.

You may discover that one of your favourite memories of London actually happened several miles outside it.

Plan Well. Then Explore.

Good travel planning does not mean organising every minute of a trip.

It means understanding your options well enough to give yourself the freedom to explore once you arrive.

The KAYAK London Travel Guide provides travellers with another useful resource for preparing a London visit, discovering ideas and learning more about the capital.

Once you arrive, our suggestion is simple: put on comfortable shoes, leave a little space in the itinerary and see where London takes you.

Planning Your Next Visit to London?

Explore the KAYAK London Travel Guide for more travel inspiration, practical information and ideas for discovering the capital.

Visit the KAYAK London Travel Guide