Thames Path - Kings Cross to Battersea

I fairly regularly head through London on the way to visit family in the south of England. My typical route through London, is to get off the train at Kings Cross, head down into the underground, and then head back up to the surface to take a train down - having successfully navigated past London.

On this occasion, I was heading through with plenty of time on my hands, and I felt that whilst most times it probably did make sense to just head through London, for the occasions where I could spare more time, there must be a better way.

And on this day, I began a tradition of occasionally using my trips through London, not just as a race to the other side, but also as an opportunity to explore some of the capital (people do come from all over the world to visit after all).

Heading out of Kings Cross, I turned right, and then after a few streets turned left. From Kings Cross there are numerous routes heading southwards to join up with the river - my ultimate destination - but on this occasion I was going to head via the British Museum, to see if it was as good as it seems in the photos.

And so I headed on through London, moving with the crowds to the British Museum. I had already booked by free ticket, and so it was easy to get in, but for those thinking "oh, that might be a nice idea", don't bother - it is just a load of old pots, and pretty boring really.

But although this diversion was a bit of a waste of time, I head down via Monmouth Street, on past Trafalgar Square, and down to the river.

Nelson's Column

Trafalgar Square was largely off limits for some event, but Nelson's Column remains quite a special site - with Nelson stood at the top of what most people would agree, is a pretty tall column.

From here, I turn left and then right, to join up with the river by the Golden Jubilee Bridge / Hungerford Bridge - and once I navigate past some construction works, stand alongside the River Thames.

London Eye

This, not the stuffy museums, is the real jewel of London - and it is here that I decide that I should come back and walk more sections of the Thames, to take in more of London as it drifts out into the surrounding towns. 

I head along the west side of the river for a short distance, before crossing over at Westminster Bridge and start along the path on the opposite side - taking in views of the Houses of Parliament on the other side.

Houses of Parliament

The prime section of Thames, really runs from here round to Tower Bridge in a fairly short, but highlight filled section of the Thames - but my journey is heading in the opposite direction from these sights, to see how the river develops heading out of central London.

Heading past Lamberth Bridge, the park surroundings fade out, and a road takes over as company on the left hand side, but it is still pleasant walking under leafy trees.

As a small park appears to be taking over from the road, the route gets diverted to the left and along the road as you head towards Vauxhall station, and past MI6 headquarters on the right hand side.

Vauxhall does offer a possible end point to a walk - and for those travelling through London, the tube journey will take about 15 minutes from here to Kings Cross, while walking will take about 80 minutes on the fastest route (Vauxhall to Waterloo Bridge and then largely as the crow flies to Kings Cross).

So on a day where you are not in a rush, there is a choice there. You can head underground and direct to your destination like some surface-hating dwarf - or you can take the scenic route, add about an hour to your travel time, and get some exercise.

Having reached Vauxhall, the route heads towards Vauxhall Bridge, turning off to the left before the bridge, to head along the riverside.

Looking back towards the city from Nine Elms

Here the route of the path has to divert inland to pass around what was Battersea power station, and what is now housing for folk with too much money.

Almost looks like a generated graphic from the brochure, but this was a real photo

This creates a bit of a diversion, but does feed you out at the end of Battersea Park, giving the opportunity to wander through this park, on the way to rejoin the river once again.

It is a pleasant park to wander through and my particular route heads out to rejoin the river at the site of the London Peace Pagoda - which is an unexpected find in an otherwise fairly old and traditional park, but in keeping with much of the London vibe.

London Peace Pagoda

Looking forwards towards Albert Bridge

Heading past Albert Bridge and then Battersea Bridge in quick succession, with minor diversions at both to get across the road, the route reaches what I would guess to be the suburbs of London - heading past a mix of older smaller apartments and larger more modern developments.

Here the path is busy with joggers, cyclists and seems to be busier with locals out and about rather than with tourists (as had been the case more centrally in London).

Railway bridge 

Having passed under the railway bridge it is time to exit through one of the cuts to the road and then head through the houses to Clapham Junction train station to continue my onward train journey. I must say, it was more fun than simply taking the tube through London one more time.

Click to see a write up for a walk from Thames Barrier round to Kings Cross from the other side.

Click here to see a writeup for the onward section from Battersea round to Richmond.

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 176 OS Landranger map - while there is also a Thames Path guidebook covering the section following the Thames - which includes OS mapping (links redirect to Amazon). The route is in general well way-marked along the Thames - walking from Kings Cross just needs a general sense of direction to follow the streets south