Route Section

Thames Path National Trail

Section 3 (Tower Bridge to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier)

Description:

Welcome to a stretch of the River Thames that's full of East End character, where the views are superb and the pubs alone are worth the walk.

Enjoy a stroll along the Thames Path as it winds its way through some of the most evocative spots on the historic riverbank, from Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs to the home of the Mayflower and the glorious Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

You'll pass the places where pirates hung in chains; where Turner painted and Dickens set his scenes; where Brunel tasted his first success and most bitter failure and where dockers 'grafted' until their backs bled. This section traces the rise, fall and resurrection of London's great docks, which traded widely with the Empire and the world and bore the brunt of the Blitz in the Second World War. Largely silent since the 1960s, they are born again with warehouses converted to apartments and cafes and new housing now lining once-busy wharves.

Contemporary life has also made its mark in the striking form of Canary Wharf's towers, the Thames Barrier and the Millennium Dome.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Canary Wharf
Greenland Pier
Trinity Buoy Wharf and Lighthouse
Wapping and Shadwell

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Greenwich
Lewisham

Distance:

North Bank 5.1 miles or South Bank 10.2 miles ( North Bank 8.2 km or South Bank 16.4 km)

Start:

Tower Bridge

Finish:

Greenwich Foot Tunnel (North Bank) or Thames Barrier (South Bank)

Recommended direction:

Terrain and surface:

Easy and level walking surface.

Signage:

The Thames Path is clearly signed and waymarked along its length using the distinctive National Trail acorn symbol alongside its name. There are lots of extra information boards to interpret the things you meet along the way.

Temporary Diversions:

The Thames Path is closed between Canary Riverside and Cascades Tower. This blocks only a short length of the path but is having a major effect on usage in the area. The diversion means that to walk from Canary Riverside, pedestrians must go up the stairs or lift to the upper level of Westferry Circus, cross over to 15 Westferry Circus, along the covered walkway, and then down the stairs or lift to Westferry Road. They must then walk along the pavement, cross the entrances to Park Place and Heron Quays, and then use the pedestrian crossing to cross Marsh Wall and Westferry Road. They can rejoin the Thames Path by Cascades Tower. Walkers should note that the pavement towards Heron Quays can be difficult to pass with a buggy (because of motorcycles parked there). Traffic along the Westferry Road is heavy and vehicles entering Park Place and Heron Quays from the underground Westferry Circus roundabout do so at speed. At present there are no diversion signs after 15 Westferry Circus so the route from that point is not clear.

Between Greenwich Peninsula and Greenwich Town Centre walkers should follow the signed diversion route. Visit http://greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/Travel/TravelNews/Riverside-path-diversion.htm for more information.

Refreshments and toilets:

The Thames Path in London leaflet, Explore Seafaring London by the River Thames provides information on refreshments and toilets along the route.

Public transport and breakpoints:

The route can be easily reached by public transport. There are many rail, underground and bus stations and stops just a short walking distance from the river. Call London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234 (24 hours), Textphone 020 7918 3015 or visit www.tfl.gov.uk for more information.

Links with other walks:

Jubilee Walkway, Capital Ring, Green Chain Walk

Map required:

Explorer 173 London North and 162 Greenwich and Gravesend

Completed a route ? Why not celebrate your achievement by ordering a completion certificate from info@walklondon.org.uk