If you are unfamiliar with cycling in London, this is the best tip I can give you. It is a brilliant separate cycle lane along the north bank of the river giving easy access to Westminster and the royal parks to the West, and Covent Garden, Temple and the City right round to Tower Bridge to the East. It feels safe, and it is often quicker than weaving through streets further north, particularly in the West End. I have shown the section from Westminster Bridge by Big Ben to the Tower of London. There is a short easy link between this and the Royal Parks, as shown below.
This is a lovely easy ride passing Buckingham Palace and the Serpentine Gallery. There are views of St James’s Park, the Mall, Green Park and, to your left as you cycle through Kensington Gardens, The Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall.
Much of Regen’t Park is out of bounds, but you can cycle around the outer circle and inner circle, which are very pleasant and quiet, or you can ride down the bustling northern section of the pedestrian Broadwalk.
2. When you reach Buckingham Palace turn left down the Mall. On Sundays it is free of traffic. Otherwise there is a cycle-path on the left. You will pass St James’ Palace and the royal memorial to World War II. With Admiralty Arch still ahead of you, turn right along Horse Guards Road. You will see Horse Guard’s Parade to your left, then the back of 10 Downing Street with its walled garden, Churchill’s War rooms and cabinet offices before joining the Cycle Superhighway C3 shown above.
3. Follow the Superhighway until you reach Blackfriars Bridge. Go straight on under the bridge, then take the first road to the left, Puddle Dock. Cycle up the road and turn right at the traffic light, then immediately left. This will take you on a quiet street up to quaint Carter Lane. Turn right and you will come out opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Roads around the Cathedral are not bike-friendly. I use the crossing over St Paul’s Churchyard and then cycle right then first left up New Change. Just past the Cathedral pull in by the crossing and cross over, then cycle down pleasant shopping street Cheapside. You will see St Mary-Le-Bow on the right.Take the next left up King Street and you will get a great view of the Guildhall straight ahead. Turn right on quiet Gresham Street, then third right down Prince’s Street with the massive fortress of the Bank of England on your left. At the end you will come out at Bank and have great view of the Royal Exchange and Mansion House. Cross in front of the Royal Exchange and turn left up Cornhill and towards the City skyscrapers. Go straight on over the main road into Leadenhall Street then take the first right into charming Lime Street. Take a moment to look to your left for great views towards St Mary Axe of the Gherkin. Continuing down Lime Street, Leadenhall Market can be seen on your right, followed by the famous Lloyds Building. Now continue straight on down the hill into Phillpot Street, passing the ‘Walkie Talkie’ with its Sky Garden on your left right to the bottom. Look right for a great view of the Monument, then turn left down Monument St to rejoin the Cycle Superhighway. Go left and you will soon see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge on your right, where the tour ends.
This route avoids the horrible main road from Shepherd’s Bush roundabout to Kensington Gardens. It crosses Portabello Road if this is your destination. To the East it meet the parks. To the West, it meets the Uxbridge Road which takes you reasonably safely, mainly on cycle lanes, through Acton to Ealing Broadway.
Finally, for my Ealing friends, this is my current favourite route into central London. Basically, go through Gunnersbury Park leaving by the side entrance onto the dedicated cycle path on the A406. Use crossings to cross Chiswick roundabout then follow C9 all the way to Kensington High Street. I leave Kensington High Street/A 315 here because I feel unsafe, and go left through the last gateway onto the dedicated cycle path through Holland Park – a much prettier route!
Where to leave the A315. UPDATE: On 15th June 2024, the snicket from York House Place to Palace Garden that allows the cut through to the park had been temporarily closed. You can still avoid a hazardous section of High Street Kensington by following the above route into York House Place and then turning right down the passageway which will bring you out close to the park. Then look out for the park gate on the left into the park Broadwalk, where cycling is allowed, then take a right just before the palace to rejoin the cycle path towards the West End.
Let me know in comments if you would like to see my quiet route.
For further cycling in London, I recommend the app ‘Citymapper’. It’s not perfect, but it does give you three alternative cycle routes, namely quiet, regular and fast.
