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THE CENTRAL LONDON COLLECTION (C3) 9.4 km

  • Writer: philip carey
    philip carey
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 12

A Discovery Tour Around Central London


THE EXPERIENCE

This collection of three routes takes you on a journey through many of the main areas of Central London, passing its most iconic sights. These include the main entertainment and attraction areas, the seats of power around Westminster, the splendour of the royal courts, palaces and parks, and the main luxury shopping route.



This collection is part 3 of 4 that make up the Across London Visual Marathon - see the end of this blog for more information.


MAP OF THE ROUTE

All three routes start and end at underground stations, and this map shows how they are all connected.






The COLLECTION  GOOGLE and STRAVA MAPS below can be used to fix your location on the collection’s  route map and your progress along it


AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THREE INDIVIDUAL ROUTES IN THIS COLLECTION



Route 11 - Covent Garden, London Eye, Big Ben, Leicester Square - 5.7 km

This discovery route is a fantastic way of exploring the entertainment areas of Covent Garden and Leicester Square, as well as some of the main sightseeing attractions, including the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.


High-Speed Route Preview (6:47)

See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.



Route Overview

Start: Covent Garden Station

Finish: Piccadilly Circus Station

Detailed Guide: Link


Maps: Google Map     | Strava Map

Route 12 - Royal Parks, The Mall, Buckingham & St James’s Palace - 2.3 km

The royal route is lined with fine examples of English architecture, wide streets and grand buildings leading to two royal palaces - St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace and two royal parks – St James’s Park and Green Park.


High-Speed Route Preview (4:00)

See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.



Route Overview

Start: Piccadilly Circus Station

Finish: Green Park Station

Detailed Guide: Link


Route 13 - Bond Street, Regent & Carnaby Street  Shopping 1.4 km.

This high-class route takes you through some of London’s most historical luxury shopping areas. It begins on Piccadilly, then up Old and New Bond Street, up Conduit Street to Regent Street and Carnaby Street, before concluding at Oxford Circus.



Route Overview

Start: Green Park Station

Finish: Oxford Circus Station

Detailed Guide: Link



ABOUT THE ACROSS LONDON VISUAL MARATHON

The Across London Visual Marathon takes in most of London’s iconic sights, from the Thames Barrier in the east to Hyde Park in the west. It’s designed to help you discover London with purpose, immersing you in the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and visual splendour through interactive self-guided routes.


These routes form four distinct collections, each with its own unique history and character.


This collection of five riverside routes takes you through East London and into the City of London. It passes through the historic London Docklands, stretching from the Royal Victoria Dock in the east to St Katharine Dock by the Tower of London. It is a wonderful journey through history, trade and regeneration that is quiet, scenic and full of surprises


This collection of five riverside routes takes you around the City of London from the Tower of London in the east, past its modern skyscrapers and its historic financial centre, along the riverside to St Paul’s Cathedral, before charting a route to Central London through Smithfield, Holborn and the Inns of Court.


This collection of three routes takes you on a journey through many of the main areas of Central London, passing its most iconic sights. These include the main entertainment and attraction areas, the seats of power around Westminster, the splendour of the royal courts, palaces and parks, and the main luxury shopping route.


This collection of three high-class routes in the West End of London takes you through the grandeur of Regency London architecture, through the wonderful landscaped gardens of Regent’s Park, the shopping areas of Marylebone and Oxford Street, and then through the affluent areas in Mayfair to Hyde Park Corner.



THIS IS A MAP OF THE WHOLE ROUTE AND THE DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS



The Across London Visual Marathon's four collections are made up of 16 short, interconnecting self-guided routes – an ideal way to explore London, whether you choose a single route, a collection, or embark on the entire journey in one go.


All routes are manageable in length, clearly mapped with multiple navigation tools, and begin and end at easily identifiable Underground stations. The individual detailed guides have reference links and detailed information at your fingertips, so you can explore with complete confidence.


 
 
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