We have updated our Privacy Policy
Please take a moment to review it. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the terms of our updated Privacy Policy.
If you can find it through all its wigglings, the Thames Path is one of the most serene and beautiful walks in London, in my opinion. I’ve done large swathes of it in various goes; I’m fairly sure I’ve done Westminster to Deptford along the South, and Island Gardens to Westminster on the North banks, as well as bits further West in other goes.
On a weekend, when the city’s quiet and the sun is setting, the path can be oddly quiet, except for the sound of water and the occasional dog-walker, creating an almost eerie sanctuary from the city buzz. This appeals to me; it appeals even more, when the light is beautiful, and the landmarks of the centre of town seem to move between the buildings against the sunset as you walk up through the Isle of Dogs.
There's a foot tunnel linking Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs. The tunnel itself is cold, damp and more than a little spooky, making the emergence into light that much more enjoyable....
Distant landmarks - the Gherkin, the Shard and the newly-dubbed Walkie-Talkie, seem to move constantly from in front to the side as you walk up the Isle of Dogs.
You still get interesting ships on the Thames - this one, as it sailed up towards London, had three crew members clearly enjoying the view from the rigging on an almost silent Sunday sunset....
The massive wealth of Canary Wharf is right next to the old council estates of Westferry, creating a strange juxtaposition between extremes, linked almost entirely by the DLR.One of the joys of the Dockland's Light Railway - besides its occasional lack of driver - is the way it weaves round and sometimes through the massive buildings of Canary Wharf.
As the sun finally sets over Heron Quays, you can also get a peep of the Millenium Dome, the bend of the river once again tricking you into thinking you're further away from... well... everything... than you actually are.
