London's Best Bits for Runners

Running in (sort of) Central London

As the weather warms up, and with the London Marathon making most of us feel like fat sacks of shit, us Londoner's are starting to come out of our hibernation and realise that the summer body we thought we had hiding under all those layers, has somehow been replaced with a South Park cut-out. 

Hampstead Heath

You might not care that you have to do that little wiggle to get your jeans over your ass (yaas girl), and because of this the gym seems like a bit of a waste of money, especially because this is London and you can't afford groceries let alone paying money to sweat in front of strangers.

Take the free option, become a runner. It's great. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry. It'll change your life.

So now that you want to go for a run, let me tell you about the places I like to go, because being an outdoor exerciser in Central London doesn't mean being one of those bastards who runs across the millennium bridge and along the Southwark Thames Path getting in everyones way and making us look at their lycra-crotches.

* North *

Parkland Walk

This old railway track runs from Finsbury Park all the way to Hampstead Heath, and is ideal for swapping the city blocks for trees and a little bit of mud, without having to leave London. Get the Tube to Finsbury Park (Victoria & Piccadilly lines) and head West to Hampstead. One of the highlights is the abandoned station platform. Spooky. Just make sure you have enough daylight for the whole thing, if it's looking dark, abort mission and return another day.

Hampstead Heath

I love Hampstead for the dog spotting and the general desolate feel that the open fields give. You know that scene at the end of Joe Wright's 'Pride and Prejudice' where Mathew Macfadyen is walking towards Keira Knightly in the misty morning light? Well, it's just like that. Mr Darcy not included. Catch the sunset at the top of the hill (there might be a crowd though, this part of the park is used for films quite often and is an iconic spot.

* South East *

Thames Path/Thames Barrier

One of my favourite places to run, this one is a hidden gem in the South East area because it's right on the thames, so the view is great and the air feels less polluted, but also it's never normally very busy. I like to use the little park at the barrier as my half way mark and do some faintly gym-orientated stretches and so on before running back to the North Greenwich tube station.

Southwark Park

I used to run here when I lived in Bermondsey. Great little park because the size was perfect for me to be able to run around and use the outdoor free gym equipment before going home. If you don't mind being 'that' person exercising in public, free outdoor equipment is the bomb. There's also an art gallery in the middle of the park if you feel like a detour. 

* South *

Peckham Rye Park & Common

After a Sunday roast from the East Dulwich Tavern (they do a mean roast but make sure you book and get there around lunch time, they sell out fast) a walk in the park is just what I need to stay awake and soak up some beautiful London sun.

Nunhead Cemetery

Another location for a moody morning run or wander among the gravestones. I used this beautiful cemetery in my winter styling post.

* South West *

Hampton Court Park

Recently I've discovered the beauty in good old South West London. Hampton Court Park is impressive, in size and history. To think that a King could have a back yard the size of Hampton Court Park (or Home Park as he called it) and have so much lawn at a time when land for producing crops was precious. There is a lot of peace and solitude to be soaked up here. Once again I was surprised at the lack of people. I also saw a Heron, deer, dogs and horses.

Six Acre Meadow

A good track if you're up for some explorative hiking, rather than running. This field connects to a series of cute little lanes around Old Malden and Malden Manor (which is the closest station). There is a playground close by which is good for pull ups and other exercise disguised as fun. I spent a day here in winter trying to find the setting to Milias' famous 'Ophelia'. Now that it's getting into summer I'll be back again for another look.

Fishponds Open Space

The last park on my list is a little bit small for a good run, but it's looking so pretty at the moment I couldn't leaf it out. heh. Leaf.

There are so many amazing parks, gardens and green spaces in London that I wish I would include for you here, but the truth is that I haven't explored them all - that is a fantastic part about living in London; there are always new places to discover.

What are your favourite parks? And are you an outdoor gym equipment user like me? Desperate times call for desperate measures ;)

x G x