Walking and Hiking, London

There are about 40 miles of paths and quiet roads that are linked up in South-East London to form the Green Chain walks.

They often follow rather odd course as they link up various bits of open ground, parks and playing fields.

You often pass by transport links so shorter walks are very easy to organise.

I would recommend spending an entire day on a good long walk from the Thames Barrier to Crystal Palace park.

It can be divided into these four sections:

1) Thames Barrier to Oxleas wood (3.5 miles)

2) Oxleas Wood to Mottingham Lane (4 miles)

3) Mottingham Lane to Beckenham Place park (4.5miles)

4) Beckenham Palce Park to Crystal plaace (3.5 miles)

TOTAL : 15.5 miles or about 6-7 hours

Equipment: Very little as there is nearly always shops and transport links about. Can get a bit muddy in places.

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When we last went for a really long walk, it was a few kilometres long (about 10km). We stopped here and there for some water and a brief rest, and then carried on.

That is what is so special about London.

It is set apart from other cities with all the green space it still has, huge parks and commons, and caters for a lot of exercise outside of the concrete jungle.

It is a lovely place to walk, whether you are doing it seriously as part of an exercise routine, or out for a stroll with your friends.

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The Thames Path National Trail is great to walk. It's a 294 km long path from the source of the Thames river in the Cotswolds to almost the Northsea.

In the greater london area the path covers both banks of the river Thames from Teddington to Greenwich.

Equipment: Walking shoes

Since living and working in London, I have not had that much time to go to gym, what with long working hours and a 3 hour commute everyday. I have twice kjoined, and twice wasted my money.

So I try and exercise as much as possible within my daily routine.

I wear trainers (a gorgeous pair of MBTs) everyday to work, only changing into something smarter if I am seeing a client. I then do a fair bit of walking in my lunch time.

There is so much to see and do in Central London, and the best way to properly see it, is on foot.

As we generally commute everywhere within London, this is good exercise as it involves a lot of walking. Meeting up with friends for a stroll, whether at a gallery to go for a stroll along the Thames, or in the park.. each are enjoyable and good for one's health.

We also exercise by cycling and doing weights etc at home, but walking is a an enjoyable form of exercise that is done unthinkingly, and one can sightsee at the same time :)

Equipment: Just yourself and a good pair of comfortable trainers/sneakers/tackies!