Tube Trekking: Monument to Westminster via London Bridge along the South Bank Queens Walk. Inc. The Golden Hinde, The Globe, Tate Modern, London Eye & Big Ben.

Region: Central London — City of London, Southwark & Westminster

Places To Stay: Base yourself around London Bridge for easy river access and iconic views, or stay near Westminster if you want Big Ben and Parliament right outside your door. Looking for more London walks? Head to my ‘Tube Trekking Guides‘ page.

Below are a few ideas for day tours and experiences in London, perfect if you want to combine this walk with museums, river cruises or historic attractions along the Thames + see more here. I have reviewed the Tower of London, it’s a brilliant day out and I did really enjoy it.

For a bigger selection of Central London accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of hotels, apartments and quirky stays to browse in Shoreditch, Brick Lane and beyond.

This Tube Trekking route follows the Thames Path from Monument to Westminster, linking together some of London’s most important historic and cultural landmarks. It’s flat, easy and packed with stories — Roman trade routes, Tudor theatres, Victorian industry and modern London all stitched together by the river.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: Monument Underground Station (Circle & District lines).
• Transport: Westminster Underground Station (Jubilee, Circle & District lines).
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Route Finder: Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.

Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected – handy if you’re visiting London from overseas and want maps and Tube apps without roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in Europe and the UK with good prices and coverage.

Walk Profile

• Distance: ~4.5 km (2.8 miles).
• Duration: 2–3 hours at sightseeing pace.
• Ascent/Descent: Flat throughout.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Terrain: Pavements, riverside paths, bridges.

Route Overview (Monument → Westminster)

Flying into London? Quick Skyscanner Checker

If you’re flying into London, you can use Skyscanner to find flights, then jump on the Tube or Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street to start this walk.

Walk Description

You kick things off at The Monument — the tall stone column built to remember the Great Fire of London (1666). The fire ripped through the old medieval city, destroyed thousands of buildings, and basically forced London to rebuild itself into something new. Standing here is a bit of a reset moment: you’re right in the historic heart of the City, but you’re about to follow the river, the same route London’s traders, sailors, pilgrims and ordinary Londoners have used for centuries.

From the Monument you head toward London Bridge, and it’s hard to overstate how important this crossing has been. There’s been a bridge here since Roman times, and for a huge stretch of history it was the only bridge across the Thames in central London. Merchants would have crossed here to reach the docks and markets, and in the medieval period the bridge itself became a place to live and trade, packed with buildings, shops and chaos. These days it’s sleek and modern, but the location still feels like a gateway between “City” London and the South Bank’s older, rowdier history.

Once you’re down on the South Bank, the skyline does its thing, and the Shard dominates the lot. Love it or hate it, it’s become a modern landmark of London, sitting right on top of one of the city’s oldest transport hubs. It’s a nice moment on the walk because it shows you exactly what the Thames does best: old foundations, new layers. London never stops rebuilding itself, it just keeps stacking eras on top of each other.

A few minutes later you’ll spot the Golden Hinde, a reconstruction of the ship associated with Sir Francis Drake’s famous circumnavigation of the globe in the late 1500s. It’s a cracking little reminder that the Thames wasn’t just a river for commuters, it was the launchpad for exploration, trade, and imperial ambition (for better and worse). Even as a replica, it adds a real “maritime London” feel to this stretch, like you’ve wandered into a little pocket of Tudor seafaring history.

Not far from there you reach The Clink, one of the most notorious prisons in London history. Southwark was outside the strict control of the City of London, which meant it became the place for anything slightly dodgy (and plenty that was outright illegal): bear-baiting, brothels, taverns, theatres and every kind of entertainment people pretended they didn’t enjoy. The Clink name still lives on in English slang, and while the “attraction” side of it is modern, the history is very real, this area has always been London’s wild edge.

Next up is Shakespeare’s Globe, standing close to where the original Globe Theatre once stood. In Elizabethan London, Southwark was the entertainment district — noisy, busy, full of crowds — and the theatres were where ordinary people and the wealthy alike came together to watch stories that still shape our culture today. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s a brilliant landmark to pause at, because it anchors you in that moment when London became a world capital of language, drama and ideas.

Then you land at Tate Modern, and the story flips again, from Elizabethan theatre to industrial power. The building started life as Bankside Power Station, and you can still feel that heavy-duty, working-London energy in the brickwork and the huge turbine hall space. Now it’s one of the world’s best-known modern art galleries, and that transformation is basically London in a nutshell: old industry repurposed into culture, without totally losing its grit.

A little further along is the OXO Tower Wharf, which is a proper South Bank classic. This whole riverside stretch used to be industrial and warehousing territory, and over time it’s turned into a mix of restaurants, design shops and riverside wandering space — but you still get that sense of “London working by the water”. It’s a nice breather section of the walk too: more open river views, less stopping-and-starting, and plenty of benches if you fancy a quick pause.

When the London Eye appears, you know you’re heading into full-on “postcard London”. It’s a modern landmark (built around the turn of the millennium) but it’s become one of the city’s most recognisable symbols. This is the bit where the river widens out visually, big sky, big views, and that proper sense that you’re walking through a capital city that’s always on display.

Crossing Westminster Bridge feels like stepping into the thick of British history. You’ve got the river below you, the Eye behind you, and ahead… the stuff that ends up on every tourist’s camera roll. This area has been the centre of power for centuries, and even if you’re not into politics, it’s hard not to feel the weight of the place when you’re stood here.

And then the finale: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The architecture is pure statement — built to look like power, permanence and tradition, and it’s one of those places where you can’t help but stop and just take it in for a minute. From here it’s only a short stroll to Westminster Station, and you’ve basically walked a timeline of London: fire, trade, theatre, industry, modern culture and politics, all stitched together by the Thames.

Places to Stay near London Bridge & Westminster

For a wider choice of accommodation around London Bridge & Westminster, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through, from boutique hotels and serviced apartments to bigger chain places if you just want an easy base.

Recommended Stays

Stay near Covent Garden – The Lincoln Suites

The Lincoln Suites in London offers a 4-star aparthotel experience in the city centre. Located 14 km from London City Airport, the property is a short walk from the Royal Opera House and close to attractions such as the British Museum and Leicester Square Underground Station.

Stay near The Shard – Marlin Aparts. London Bridge

With a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, the 4-star Marlin Empire Square offers stylish accommodation near London Bridge. Borough Market and The Shard are within a 10-minute walk, while The London Eye is just over a mile away

AllTrails: It’s not just for mountains – you can also find and record city walks. AllTrails ‘Plus’ 30% OFF – Read my ‘Full Review‘ for more details.

Practicalities

• Season: All year. This is London, so you can get blue skies, drizzle, or sideways rain in the same afternoon. Autumn and winter actually suit this walk really well — fewer crowds, moodier skies, and the city lights start to pop as it gets dark.
• Footwear: Comfy trainers or light walking shoes are spot on. It’s all pavements and riverside paths, but you’ll be on your feet for a couple of hours and stopping and starting constantly for photos. See my review of the Muddy Vibe shoe I wear myself in London
• Water & food: You’re never far from a café, bakery, pub, or street food stall — especially once you hit the South Bank. Still worth carrying some water, particularly on hot days or if you get distracted and forget to stop because the views keep pulling you along.
• Toilets: Plenty around near major attractions and stations, though you’ll usually need to buy a coffee if you’re nipping into a café. Public loos tend to be clustered around the busy bits.
• Dogs: Best on a lead. It’s busy, especially at weekends, with crowds, cyclists, performers, and the odd scooter flying past. Fine for confident city dogs, but it’s not a quiet countryside potter.
• Good for: Street photography, people-watching, history lovers, London first-timers, solo wanders, and anyone who likes the idea of a “hike” without leaving Zone 1/2 — or needing to own a pair of walking boots.

Monument to Westminster Walk (South Bank) – FAQs

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The video is a 3D walkthrough of this Tube Trekking route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the streets.

I’ve created 3D-style videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.

Tube Trekking: Monument to Westminster along South Bank Walk – 3D Walkthrough

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