London Countryway
A 215-mile long-distance walk making a full circuit of the city of London while never infringing its boundaries, traversing the Home Counties bordering England’s capital. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: TQ 646 745
Distance: 215 miles (346 km)
Time: 90–110 hours
Duration: 14–21 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
145 Guildford and Farnham
146 Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate
147 Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Westerham
148 Maidstone and the Medway Towns
160 Windsor, Weybridge and Bracknell
162 Greenwich and Gravesend
163 Gravesend, Rochester and Hoo Peninsula
172 Chiltern Hills East, High Wycombe, Maidenhead and Rickmansworth
174 Epping Forest and Lee Valley
175 Southend-on-Sea and Basildon
181 Chiltern Hills North, Aylesbury, Berkhamsted and Chesham
182 St Albans, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Welwyn Garden City
Summary
The London Countryway is an orbital walking trail around London originally devised by LDWA and Ramblers volunteer Keith Chesterton in the late 1970s. The route never actually enters Greater London, instead running through the countryside of neighboring counties. The surroundings are hugely varied, ranging from dead flat fens to rugged chalk hills, rich in cultural and heritage interest, and serving as an outstanding showcase for London’s protected Green Belt. The trail is easily walked as a series of day walks from London using public transport. Highlights include the Chilterns, Kent Downs, Surrey Hills, Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve, Chobham Common National Nature Reserve, Thames Chase, Watling Chase, the Lee Valley, Basingstoke Canal, Lee Navigation, Wey Navigation, Windsor Great Park and Castle, and Epping Forest.