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June 10, 2026
Tower Hill is one of the most walkable parts of London - and one of the most rewarding. Within a mile or two of each other you'll find a Roman wall that's nearly two thousand years old, a fortress that has stood since the 1070s, a Victorian market that doubled as Diagon Alley, a hidden garden growing inside a bombed-out church, and some of the finest views of the Thames anywhere in the city.
Most visitors see the Tower of London and leave. These routes show you everything else. All four walks start from Tower Hill Tube station, right outside Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hospitality. Wear comfortable shoes, allow more time than you think you'll need, and don't be afraid to wander off the route - this part of London rewards curiosity.
Route 1: The Essential Tower Hill Walk
Approximately 1 mile - 45 to 60 minutes, not including time inside attractions
Start here if you've never visited Tower Hill before. This route covers the area's most iconic landmarks and gives you a solid sense of the neighbourhood before you explore further.
The Roman Wall
Before you even reach the Tower of London, stop outside Tower Hill Tube station. Right there, largely unremarked upon, stands one of the most impressive surviving sections of the Roman wall that once encircled the entire city of Londinium.
Built in the second century, it stretched for nearly three miles around what is now the City of London. Two thousand years old and most people walk past it without a second glance.
All Hallows by the Tower
A short walk from the Roman wall, All Hallows by the Tower is the oldest church in the City of London, dating back to the 7th century. It survived the Great Fire of 1666 - and inside the crypt you can walk across excavated Roman pavement and see a model of Roman London as it once was. Samuel Pepys climbed the tower to watch the Great Fire spreading across the city.
The Tower of London
Begin at the Tower of London - and if you only have a couple of hours, spend them here. Nearly a thousand years of history in a single site: royal imprisonment, execution, the Crown Jewels, and ravens that are resident by royal decree. The Yeoman Warder tours are incredibly entertaining and the scale of the fortress still surprises people who think they know what to expect. Recommend booking your tickets in advance - the queues without them are formidable in summer.
Blue Orchid Hospitality also offers a ‘Royal Time at the Tower’ package for those who want to combine a visit to the Tower of London with an overnight stay.
Tower Bridge
From the Tower it's a short walk to Tower Bridge - and crossing it on foot rather than photographing it from a distance makes all the difference. The glass walkways on the upper level look straight down to the river, the Victorian engine rooms are beautiful, and the views in both directions along the Thames are some of the finest in the city. The bridge still opens for river traffic - check the schedule online if you want to watch it lift.
St Katharine Docks
Head east from Tower Bridge to St Katharine Docks - a beautifully restored historic marina that most visitors walk straight past. Independent cafés, waterside seating, and a working marina make it one of the calmest spots in central London. A good place for a coffee or an early lunch before continuing.
Trinity Square Gardens
Return via Trinity Square Gardens for a quieter moment. There are important memorials here, excellent views back toward the Tower, and a small but fascinating detail worth knowing - this was the site of the public execution ground for Tower Hill, where over 125 executions took place between the 14th and 18th centuries, including Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell. It's peaceful green space now, which makes that history feel all the more remarkable.
The whole route takes under an hour at a gentle pace. Allow at least two hours if you're going inside the Tower - it warrants every minute of them.
Route 2: Following the Great Fire of London
Approximately 1.5 miles — 1 to 2 hours
This route is for history enthusiasts. It follows the story of one of the most significant events in London's past - the Great Fire of 1666 - and reveals how that catastrophe shaped the city you're walking through today.
All Hallows by the Tower
Start at All Hallows by the Tower, the oldest church in the City of London. Dating back to the 7th century, it survived the Great Fire - and inside the crypt you can walk across excavated Roman pavement and see a model of Roman London.
Pudding Lane
Walk towards Pudding Lane, where a plaque marks the site of Thomas Farriner's bakery - the place where the Great Fire broke out in the early hours of 2 September 1666. The fire burned for four days, destroying over 13,000 houses and 87 churches. The street looks unremarkable today, which somehow makes the plaque more affecting.
St Magnus the Martyr
From Pudding Lane, make the short walk to St Magnus the Martyr on Lower Thames Street - one of the most fascinating stops on this route. It was the second building to catch fire in 1666, and it was here that the firefighting equipment for the surrounding area was stored, which makes its position at the very start of the inferno particularly cruel.
Step inside and you'll find a detailed scale model of the original medieval London Bridge, complete with the houses, shops, and a chapel that once stood on it. The bridge was demolished in 1831 and this model is one of the finest records of what it actually looked like. Christopher Wren rebuilt the church after the fire, and the interior is one of his finest.
The Monument
Just steps away stands The Monument designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke and completed in 1677. It stands exactly 202 feet tall, the same distance as from its base to where the fire began. Climb the 311 steps for some of the finest views across the City of London available anywhere, and one of the most unusual perspectives on the square mile you'll find. The staircase is tight and there are no lifts, but it's worth it.
Historic City Alleyways
Continue through the narrow lanes and passages of the City of London, streets that were rebuilt after the fire and have changed remarkably little since. This is the part of the walk where most people slow down and start looking up. The contrast between the medieval street plan and the glass towers rising above it is something only London does.
Route 3: Hidden Gems Around Tower Hill
Approximately 1 mile - 60 to 90 minutes
Not every memorable London walk needs to involve famous landmarks. This route focuses on the lesser-known corners of Tower Hill that most visitors miss entirely and some of them are extraordinary.
The Roman Wall
Start by looking down at the pavement outside Tower Hill Tube station, where one of the most impressive surviving sections of the Roman wall that once encircled the entire city of Londinium still stands, largely unremarked upon. Built in the second century, the wall stretched for nearly three miles around what is now the City of London. You can reach out and touch two thousand years of history. Most people walk past without noticing.
St Dunstan in the East
Head towards St Dunstan in the East, a former medieval church damaged in the Great Fire, rebuilt by Christopher Wren, then badly damaged again in the Blitz. Rather than restore it, the ruins were transformed into a public garden. Stone arches wrapped in climbing plants, Gothic windows framing sky and greenery, and an atmosphere of extraordinary calm in the middle of the city.
Leadenhall Market
Continue to Leadenhall Market, a covered Victorian arcade built in 1881 on the site of the Roman forum. The ornate painted ironwork ceiling is extraordinary, the market still functions with wine bars, butchers, and restaurants alongside the tourists, and Harry Potter fans will recognise it as the filming location for Diagon Alley. Best visited mid-morning before the City lunch crowd arrives.
London's Roman Amphitheatre
If you have time, make the short detour to Guildhall Yard where the remains of London's Roman Amphitheatre, which was built around 70 CE and capable of holding 10,500 spectators, are preserved beneath Guildhall Art Gallery. You can walk through the original stone entrance tunnel. Entry is free. It's London's oldest sporting venue by a considerable distance and one of the most surprising things in the city.
Route 4: A Riverside Walk from Tower Hill
Approximately 2 to 3 miles - 90 minutes to 2 hours
For those who enjoy scenic walks with a slower pace, this route follows the Thames westward from Tower Hill, combining riverside scenery with historic landmarks and some of the finest city views in London.
The Thames Path
Join the Thames Path at Tower Hill and follow the river west. The path gives you a perspective on the city that no bus or Tube journey can replicate - the buildings change, the light changes, and the Thames itself changes depending on the tide and the time of day. Early evening is particularly good, when the City lights begin to reflect on the water.
Old Billingsgate
Pass Old Billingsgate, London's historic fish market, a grand Victorian building that now operates as an events venue. Its riverside façade is worth pausing at, a reminder that this stretch of the Thames was once one of the busiest trading waterways in the world.
London Bridge
Continue to London Bridge, one of the oldest crossing points over the Thames and not to be confused with Tower Bridge, which is the one everyone photographs. From London Bridge you have excellent views in both directions along the river, and the South Bank is easily accessible if you want to extend the walk further.
Borough Market and Beyond
Cross London Bridge and you're a short walk from Borough Market, one of London's finest food markets and an excellent place to end a riverside walk with something to eat. Open Tuesday to Saturday and worth the detour on any day it's open.
City Skyline Viewpoints
Throughout this route you'll find viewpoints that put the City's extraordinary skyline in context - the Shard, the Gherkin, the Walkie-Talkie, and St Paul's Cathedral all visible at various points, alongside the medieval Tower and the Victorian bridge. There is nowhere else in the world that looks quite like this.
Where to Stay
Tower Suites and Tower Residences by Blue Orchid Hospitality sit right outside Tower Hill station - putting the starting point of all four routes outside the front door. The Tower of London is a five-minute walk. Tower Bridge is seven minutes. St Katharine Docks is ten.
After a full day on foot, fully equipped kitchens mean dinner on your own terms, and generous living areas mean somewhere to properly decompress before going back out tomorrow.
Book direct at blueorchid.com for the best available rate and receive 10% off London theatre tickets and attractions.
Planning further afield? Read Blue Orchid’s guide to the best day trips from Tower Hill - from Greenwich by river to Bath, Windsor, and the Cotswolds by train.
FAQs
Which walking route is best for first-time visitors to Tower Hill?
Route 1: The Essential Tower Hill Walk. It covers the most iconic landmarks, takes under an hour at a gentle pace, and gives you the best introduction to the area before exploring further.
Are these walking routes suitable for families?
Yes. Routes 1 and 4 are particularly good for families - the Tower of London, St Katharine Docks, and the riverside path are all enjoyable for children. Route 3 involves some quieter streets and hidden spaces that older children tend to love.
When is the best time to walk around Tower Hill?
Early morning is the finest time, before the queues form at the Tower of London, the light on the Thames is at its best, and the City streets are pleasantly quiet. Late afternoon and early evening are also excellent, particularly for Route 4 along the river.
Can I combine several routes in one day?
Yes. Routes 1 and 3 work very well together as a half-day combination. Routes 2 and 4 can also be combined for a fuller day. Allow more time than you think you'll need, this part of London has a habit of making you slow down.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Yes, the Tower of London, especially in summer. The queues without a pre-booked ticket are long. Also recommend that the tickets inside Tower Bridge are booked in advance. Everything else on these routes is either free or walk-in.
Is Tower Hill easy to get to?
Tower Hill Tube station is served by the District and Circle lines and is well connected across central London. All four routes start directly from the station exit.