Covent Garden, London Eye, Big Ben, Leicester Square - 5.7 km Route
- Philip Carey
- Oct 13, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Route Overview
Start: Covent Garden Station
Finish: Piccadilly Circus Station
Distance: 5.7 km
Estimated Time: 30-50 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Early morning weekends
Best For: Iconic landmarks, entertainment districts, riverside views, Westminster sights
Terrain: Mix of pavements and roads, crowded areasNotable: London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square
Quick Links
Maps: Google Map | Strava Map
Video: High-Speed Route Preview
Virtual Tour: 360° Interactive Map
Previous Route: Old Bailey, Smithfield, Holborn & Inns of Court – 4.0 km
The Experience
This discovery route takes you from Covent Garden to Piccadilly Circus via the South Bank, Westminster, Whitehall, and Leicester Square, containing some of London's most famous landmarks.
Explore the entertainment areas of Covent Garden and Leicester Square, alongside main sightseeing attractions including the Royal Festival Hall, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square. This is London's greatest hits—a journey through the landmarks that define the capital in the world's imagination.
From street performers in Covent Garden to the seat of government at Westminster, via the cultural hub of the South Bank, this route captures the essence of what makes London spectacular.
Your Three Layers of Discovery
This self-guided route gives you everything you need to explore at your own pace, all in one place:
Familiarisation Guide – Core route information to get you started confidently
Sightseeing Guide – Points of interest, history, and 360° virtual tours to deepen your understanding
Connoisseur's Guide – Places to eat, drink, explore, plus 'add-on' routes
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
The Google map shows the main route in red
Both maps will open in a new tab.
High-Speed Route Preview (6:47)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
Early morning, especially weekends, when there are no crowds, the light is at its best, and you have the rest of the day ahead of you.
When London Awakens:
In the early morning, Westminster is transformed. Big Ben chimes across an empty Parliament Square, the Thames reflects golden light, and you can photograph iconic landmarks without a soul in sight. This is when the capital feels most majestic.
Planned Events:
Events often take place around Westminster—annual occasions like the State Opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour, plus protests and marches in Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, and Trafalgar Square.
Crowds:
Much of the route is on pavements and roads that are crowded most of the day, especially around:
Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge
Whitehall
Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
Southbank
Covent Garden
Accessibility:
Several areas with steps, events, and crowds throughout.
Popular Attractions:
London Eye, Covent Garden, London Dungeon, and Leicester Square tend to be busy most of the day—best to visit early.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
Covent Garden
Somerset House
The Aldwych
Waterloo Bridge
Southbank Centre
Golden Jubilee Bridge
The London Eye
County Hall and Amusement Venues
Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
Westminster Abbey
Horse Guards Parade, St James's Park
Whitehall
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Piccadilly Circus
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
360° Virtual Tour
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way.
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
The Connoisseur's Guide
Know the route well? Time to become a connoisseur. Discover the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the surrounding area.
Where to Eat & Drink - Key Dining Areas:
Covent Garden – Largest selection at the beginning of the route
Southbank Centre Area – Diverse selection, lively food market behind Royal Festival Hall (open Fri–Sun)
Behind County Hall – Several options
Around Charing Cross Station – Good variety
Leicester Square – Extensive variety towards the end of the route
Things to Do
Each area offers something different along this landmark-rich route.
Covent Garden Area:
Royal Opera House
Several theatres
Transport Museum
Somerset House (events, river views, galleries)
South of Waterloo Bridge:
National Theatre
BFI (British Film Institute)
Royal Festival Hall
Hayward Gallery
Purcell Rooms
Queen Elizabeth Hall
County Hall Area:
London Eye
London Dungeons
Sea Life London
Shrek's Adventure
Westminster:
Houses of Parliament tours
Westminster Abbey
Churchill War Rooms
Horse Guards Parade:
Daily Changing of the King's Life Guard
Household Cavalry Museum
Trafalgar Square Area:
National Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus:
Numerous theatres
Cinemas
Entertainment venues
Route Extensions
Three extensions help you explore Central London's entertainment and cultural quarters more thoroughly:
The St Giles Loop – 1.0 km
Explore historic streets north of Covent Garden.
St James's Park and The Mall Extension – 1.7 km
Royal parks and ceremonial route.
Savile Row and Bond Street Extension – 1.6 km
Luxury shopping and bespoke tailoring.
Main route in red, extensions in blue. Detailed guides and videos coming soon.
Follow-On Routes
Continue Your Journey:
Ready for the next stride? Try the Royal London Sights - Pall Mall, Royal Parks & Palaces – 2.3 km route.
