Marble Arch, Hyde Park, Mayfair and Shepherd Market - Running and Walking Route (3.0 km)
- Philip Carey
- Oct 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Running and Walking Route Overview
Route: 16 of 16 — The Final Route. Across London Visual Marathon.
Start: Marble Arch Station
Finish: Hyde Park Corner Station
Distance: 3.0 km
Estimated Time: 15-25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best Time: Early morning weekends
Overview: The final route in the 50 km Across London Visual Marathon. From Marble Arch Underground Station and Hyde Park, cross into the grandeur of Mayfair and discover the hidden village of Shepherd Market, and finish at Hyde Park Corner Underground Station — completing one of London's great journeys on foot
The Experience
Starting at Marble Arch Underground Station — the ceremonial northern gate to Hyde Park — this 3.0 km self-guided running and walking route is the final chapter in the 50 km Across London Visual Marathon. Stride south into Mayfair via Hyde Park, London's most exclusive district, where Georgian townhouses and Michelin-starred restaurants line streets that have housed prime ministers, royalty, and billionaires for three centuries. Discover Shepherd Market — a hidden 18th-century village tucked within Mayfair's grid, with cobbled alleys, independent restaurants, and an atmosphere entirely at odds with its surroundings — and finish at Hyde Park Corner Underground Station. You've completed the journey. Fifty kilometres. Sixteen routes. One extraordinary city.
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.
Both maps will open in a new tab.
Watch the Route at Running Speed (Treadmill Version) 15:11
See the route from a runner's perspective as if you were running at 12 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:
The route is generally not very busy; however, early morning—especially weekends—offers the best experience when there are fewer crowds, the light is at its best, and you have the rest of the day ahead of you.
Why Mornings are best:
In the early morning, Mayfair reveals its true character—elegant squares empty and peaceful, Georgian townhouses glowing in soft light, and Berkeley Square's plane trees creating cathedral-like tranquillity. This is when you can appreciate the architecture without distraction.
Expensive District:
Mayfair is one of London's premier districts for both upscale shopping and fine dining, blending heritage, luxury, and haute couture. It's great on the eyes but could burn a hole in your pocket—which is why it's best to stride through before the shops open!
Accessibility:
Mix of pavements and paths. Generally quiet except for Oxford Street at the start and Shepherd Market towards the end.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Route Connoisseur Guide
Don't just run the route - get to know it!
Eating and drinking areas
Things to Do and Visit,
Sightseeing Gallery
Where to Eat & Drink
In Mayfair, dining tends to be on the expensive side; however, most areas have pubs where food and drink are much more reasonable.
Reasonably Priced Pubs on or Near Route:
The Audley Public House – Mount Street
The Footman – Chester Street
Ye Grapes – Shepherd Market
The King's Head – Shepherd Market
The Guinea Grill – Bruton Place
Shepherd Market – Widest range, mostly reasonably priced
High-End Options:
Mount Street – Great selection of high-end venues
Five-Star Hotels by Hyde Park Corner – Scott's, The Lanesborough Grill
Dover Street, North Audley Street, Berkeley Street – Good range for most tastes
Things to Do
Luxury Shopping:
Mount Street and around Berkeley Square – Designer boutiques to high-end sports cars
Premier Hotels:
Park Lane Hotels – Opulent afternoon tea or cocktails in elegant settings
Parks & Gardens:
Hyde Park – Western edge of Mayfair
Green Park – Southern boundary
Berkeley Square – Historic garden square
Architecture:
Georgian and Regency buildings throughout
Elegant mews and squares
War Memorials:
Animals in War Memorial – Park Lane
Hyde Park Corner Memorials – Wellington Arch, Royal Artillery Memorial, Commonwealth Memorial Gates, Bomber Command Memorial
Notable Buildings:
Apsley House (No. 1 London) – Wellington's former residence
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
Marble Arch
Animals in War Memorial
Mayfair's Shops and Architecture
Park Lane Five-Star Hotels
Berkeley Square
Shepherd Market
Green Park
Hyde Park Corner War Memorials
Belgravia
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, displaying a map of all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
Follow-On Routes
Stride It Backwards:
Complete the route in reverse to experience London's ancient heart from a different perspective.
Previous Route: Marylebone High Street and Oxford Street Shopping – 3.1 km
Complete The Central London Collection Challenge - 9.2 km:
This route is number 16 and the third one in the London West End collection
