Monument to Westminster via London Bridge & the South Bank

Region: City of London, Southwark and Westminster, Greater London, England

This 3.9-mile walk from Monument to Big Ben via Tower Bridge links some of London’s most recognisable sights in one easy route. Starting at Monument Underground Station, it passes the Monument and the Tower of London before crossing Tower Bridge. From there, the route follows the south side of the Thames past HMS Belfast, Borough Market, the Golden Hinde, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, OXO Tower Wharf and the London Eye, finishing across Westminster Bridge at Big Ben and Westminster station.

I recently filmed this walk for my Welsh Man Walking YouTube channel, and this updated guide follows that route. The revised GPX covers 3.9 miles / 6.3 km, with approximately 1 hour 35 minutes of continuous walking. Allow around 3 hours for photographs, coffee and a relaxed look at the landmarks. Going inside attractions will need extra time.

What I like about this walk is how much London you get without a difficult climb or a complicated journey between sights. You move from the historic City and the Tower of London to the open river views at Tower Bridge, then follow the Thames through Bankside and the South Bank to a proper Big Ben finish.

This is a linear Tube Trekking route, with an Underground station at each end. It is flat and easy, following pavements, riverside paths and bridge footways. The main challenge is giving yourself enough time to stop rather than rushing past everything.

Places to stay: Choose London Bridge for a base near the river and Borough Market, or Westminster for the finish near Big Ben and Parliament.

Getting There, GPX and Route Map

• Start: Monument Underground Station. Begin with the Monument, then follow the GPX towards the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
• Finish: Westminster Underground Station, beside the final stop at Big Ben.
• GPX: Download the Monument to Westminster GPX file.
• Route app: Follow the walk on my Outdooractive route.
• New to GPX? Read my guide explaining what a GPX file is and how to use one.

Walk Profile

• Distance: 3.9 miles / 6.3 km
• Route type: Linear — Monument to Westminster via Tower Bridge
• Continuous walking time: Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes
• Recommended visit time: Around 3 hours with photographs, coffee and sightseeing stops
• Difficulty: Easy and flat
• Surfaces: Pavements, paved riverside paths and bridge footways
• Main stops: Monument, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Golden Hinde, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, OXO Tower Wharf, London Eye and Big Ben

Watch My Monument to Big Ben Walk via Tower Bridge

Route Stages at a Glance

Monument to Big Ben Walking Route via Tower Bridge

1. Monument Station and the Monument

Start at Monument Underground Station and make your way to the Monument itself. The stone column commemorates the Great Fire of London of 1666 and makes a fitting opening to a walk through so many different chapters of the city’s history. Take a moment to look up before heading towards the Tower of London.

Follow the revised GPX east through the City towards the Tower. The first river crossing comes at Tower Bridge, so keep to the north side of the Thames for this opening section.

2. The Tower of London

The Tower of London gives the walk its first major landmark beside the river. Its walls and towers feel completely different from the modern buildings around them, and the setting is one of the best places to pause before crossing the Thames.

This route passes the outside of the Tower rather than including a visit inside. Enjoy the exterior views, then continue towards the north end of Tower Bridge. If you want to explore the Tower itself, make that a separate part of your day and allow longer than the three hours suggested for this walk.

3. Crossing Tower Bridge

Cross Tower Bridge using the pavement at road level. This is one of the highlights of the revised route: the towers rise above you, the river opens out on either side and the views back towards the Tower of London make it worth taking your time.

At the south end, turn west towards the riverside and follow the Thames towards HMS Belfast and London Bridge. You have now joined the south side of the river, which carries most of the walk through to Westminster Bridge.

4. HMS Belfast and the Walk towards London Bridge

Follow the riverside west with the Thames on your right. Look back for another view of Tower Bridge, then continue towards HMS Belfast, the large warship moored beside the river. You can appreciate its scale from the path without going aboard.

The Shard rises above the buildings ahead as you approach London Bridge. Stay on the south side of the river here and follow the GPX towards Borough Market; London Bridge is a landmark along this section rather than your crossing point.

5. Borough Market and the Golden Hinde

Borough Market makes a natural food or coffee stop near London Bridge. This is a good place to slow down and take a break before the next stretch through Bankside. Follow the GPX through this part of Southwark, returning towards the river and the Golden Hinde at St Mary Overie Dock.

The Golden Hinde is a reconstruction of the ship associated with Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation. Tucked into its dock among the surrounding buildings, it brings a very different scale and atmosphere to the walk after the broad river views around Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast.

6. Clink Street and Shakespeare’s Globe

Continue through Clink Street, passing the Clink Prison Museum. The narrow streets here provide a change from the open waterfront and hint at the older Southwark hidden between the modern buildings.

Rejoin the riverside and continue west to Shakespeare’s Globe. The reconstructed theatre is one of Bankside’s most distinctive landmarks, and you do not need to go inside to enjoy this part of the route. Pause outside, take in the river views and continue towards Tate Modern.

7. Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge

Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station, with its huge brick building and chimney standing beside the Thames. After the smaller streets and the Globe, this stretch feels much more open.

Nearby, Millennium Bridge points across the river towards St Paul’s Cathedral. It is a lovely view to stop for, but this walk continues west on the south side of the Thames rather than crossing the footbridge.

8. OXO Tower Wharf and the South Bank

Continue along the riverside past Blackfriars towards OXO Tower Wharf. The mix of older riverside buildings, places to eat and open views makes this a good stretch for a steady wander between the bigger landmarks.

From here, follow the river towards the Southbank Centre and the London Eye. This is one of the liveliest parts of the walk, with people stopping for photographs, meeting friends and enjoying the waterfront. Keep following the GPX if the path briefly bends away from the water.

9. The London Eye

The London Eye marks the approach to the final part of the route. There is plenty to look at here, with the wheel overhead, river traffic passing by and Westminster appearing across the Thames.

Continue towards Westminster Bridge. Before crossing, take a moment for the view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from the south side of the river — it is one of the standout photo stops of the whole walk.

10. Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and Westminster Station

Cross Westminster Bridge towards Big Ben, using the pavement and allowing room for other walkers. The bridge gives you views of Parliament beside the river and the London Eye behind you, making it a fitting finish after the journey from Monument.

At the north end, you arrive beside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, although the name is widely used for the whole landmark. Stop for your final photographs, then finish at nearby Westminster Underground Station.

Practicalities

• Navigation: Use the updated GPX, particularly between Monument and the Tower of London and around Borough Market. Cross the Thames at Tower Bridge and Westminster Bridge.
• Footwear: Comfortable trainers or walking shoes are sufficient for this paved urban route.
• Food and coffee: There are plenty of opportunities around London Bridge, Borough Market, Bankside and the South Bank. Build these stops into your three-hour plan.
• Toilets: Plan a stop at a visitor venue or café along the route. Access, charges and opening hours vary.
• Crowds: Allow extra time around Tower Bridge, Borough Market, the London Eye and Westminster Bridge, especially during busy sightseeing periods.
• Weather: The bridges and open riverside sections can feel exposed. Bring a light waterproof and water for the walk.
• Accessibility: Flat terrain does not confirm a fully step-free route. Check station access and the precise GPX before travelling if you need step-free access.
• Attractions: The suggested three hours covers the walk and casual stops. Visits inside the Tower of London, HMS Belfast or other attractions need extra time.

For more routes with an Underground station at each end, browse my Tube Trekking London guides. For a different waterside walk, try my Paddington, Little Venice and Regent’s Canal walk to Camden.

For a wider choice of London accommodation, Booking.com has hotels and apartments across London and the wider Underground network.

Monument to Big Ben via Tower Bridge Walk FAQs

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