This sweeping view takes the breath away for millions of visitors to London each year
Whether it’s the towering glass skyscrapers of the city, the shimmering Thames at midday or the age-old walls of Westminster; there’s beauty to be had in the Big Smoke, whatever the haters might say.
It’s for this reason that London readers of The Telegraph got into a hump over its recent feature of ‘ The Ten Best Views of Britain ‘. The newspaper’s writers chose an array of largely rural, chocolate box village landscapes – leaving London entirely off the list.
Readers overwhelmingly suggested one enduring London beauty spot deserved an honourable mention – the view of the city from Waterloo Bridge. For tourists and UK visitors alike, the first sweeping view of the 300-year-old dome of St Paul’s Cathedral standing majestically around towering skyscrapers above the flowing Thames is one to take your breath away.
Laurence Traynor wrote: “My favourite view is to be found heading south over Waterloo Bridge at sundown. I’m lucky enough to see it most days, and it never fails to impress. Being on a 90-degree bend in the river, looking left you get to see across the City and as far as Canary Wharf; off to the right you have The Palace of Westminster and views down towards Vauxhall and beyond. It really shows London off to its best.”
London’s home turf beauty spots are gaining increasing traction from locals, fed up with being told they have to head to the hills of the Chilterns or the Kent Weald for inspiration. US blogger Candance recently took to Tiktok to praise a West London walk along the Thames, beginning in Putney and winding through Fulham before ending in leafy Hammersmith.
In a video on TikTok, Candace, who is from the US but has lived in London for several years, said: “You need to take this walk in London. You’re going to start from Putney Bridge Station, wandering down past the neighbourhood’s charming Hurlingham Books, jumping onto the high street and past the ancient All Saints’ Church.
“[Head] into Bishop’s Park and Fulham Palace, and the walled garden, if it’s open. A forest wander out, and you’ll stroll past Putney Bridge, onto a beautiful river walk. Pick up a mid-walk coffee and continue on your gorgeous South West London stroll down the Thames. Honestly, you’ll feel like you’ve left the city altogether. It’s magical.
“Slowly but surely, the grand Hammersmith Bridge will come into view. Walk over the bridge and end with a Hammersmith pub stop or roast. If you’re straight walking, this walk will take you a little over an hour, but of course, you’ll be taking in lots of pit stops to enjoy it to the fullest.”
Similar circular walks along the Thames are also available on the All Trails website, which describes the route as “relatively flat and suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels”. They also state that the route is dog-friendly and that “river views are wonderful year-round.”
Do you know of a special London beauty spot that you’d like to share? Email [email protected].
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