Tower of London, Old Billingsgate, & the Monument - 1.5 km
- Philip Carey
- Oct 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 10
This comprehensive set of guides for runners and striders provides all the necessary information to complete the self-guided route in one place, allowing you to explore at your own pace. The route from the Tower of London to London Bridge along the north side of the River Thames is great for history and historic sights, cityscapes and riverside views, iconic sites, churches, bridges, sunrises, and sunsets.
The Familiarisation Guide provides all the core route information.
The Sightseeing Guide and Virtual tour guide add points of interest and 360-degree information.
The Connoisseur's Guide offers recommendations for places to eat, drink, and be entertained, as well as suggestions for exploring the surrounding areas and 'add-on' routes.
THE EXPERIENCE
This is one of London's most historic and oldest areas, with the Tower of London established here in 1070 and London Bridge as the only bridge into London until Westminster Bridge was built in 1750. It has historically been the main area for river trade and commerce, with the Port of London and Custom House sited close to the Tower of London. This short discovery route takes you from Tower Hill Station to London Bridge Station along the north side of the River Thames, past the Tower of London, Custom House, Old Billingsgate Market and London Bridge, with pubs and eating places at the start and end of the route
THE ROUTE FAMILIARISATION GUIDE (Level 1)
This guide provides you with the essential information you need to become familiar with the route before you arrive.
An overview map, My Google Map, and Strava Map to help guide you along the route
A video showing you what the route looks like as if you were running it at over 40 km/h.
Information to bear in mind along the route.
MAP OF THE ROUTE
The links to My Google and Strava Maps are designed to help you keep on track and limit the chances of getting lost. They don't provide turn-by-turn directions, but they do show your location relative to the route. They will open in a new tab.
The Google map shows the main route in red
HIGH SPEED VIDEO OF THE ROUTE (5:00)
The high-speed video of the main red route is designed to get you visually familiar with the route ahead of your visit. It shows you a runner's view as if they were sprinting at over 40 km/h
THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND
Morning - The best time to do this route is on weekends in the early morning when it is quiet and free from crowds and heavy traffic. During the day, the area around the Tower of London and London Bridge will be busy, and the traffic will be heavy.
Custom House has recently had planning permission to convert the building into a hotel with public space. Once building work starts, access to part of the route may be restricted, and an alternative path will need to be created during 2026.
The Tower of London is open from 9:00 am Tuesday–Saturday and 10:00 am on Sundays. The Tower Wharf by the river opens from 7:00 am
Route and Accessibility – This is a mix of on and off-road, with two flights of stairs to get to and from the riverside.
Route Blogs –It's best to have the Detailed Guide (blog) and either the Google or Strava Map available on your mobile for reference
THE ROUTE SIGHTSEEING GUIDE - (Level 2)
Once you are familiar with the route, why not take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the sights along the way, take photos, and learn a bit about the area's history the next time you take it? The sights include:
Tower of London,
Tower Hill and Trinity Square,
Customs House.
Old Billingsgate Market,
London Bridge Views,
Southwark Cathedral,
Borough Market,
The Shard
For more information on these and other sights nearby, see the gallery and the supporting text below
Virtual Tour Guide
This virtual tour guide is designed to help you familiarise yourself with the route and enhance your memories of 'being there'. Clicking on the picture will take you to a new page showing a map of 360 locations in the area. Click on the location icons, and you will be transported to an interactive 360-degree view of that area - in a new tab.
THE ROUTE CONNOISSEUR'S GUIDE - (Level 3)
Once you are familiar with the route and its sights, why not become a connoisseur of the area and explore the surrounding routes that will uncover new things to see, places to eat, drink, and be entertained?
FOOD AND DRINK LOCATIONS
The main areas for food and drink are at the start with the western side of the Tower of London(3), and St Katharine Docks(1) and at the end with Borough Market (5) and in and around London Bridge and the Shard (6). A bit further afield there is also a good selection around Monument Station and Cannon Street(4).
THINGS TO DO LOCATIONS
This route offers attractions such as the Tower of London (2), boat trips from the Tower Millennnium Pier (4), a climb to the top of the The Monument (6), The View from the Shard (9), and HMS Belfast Museum Ship (10). There are also plenty of free things to do that will engage your senses and keep you entertained, including river a dock side view from St Katharine Docks(1), Old Billingsgate(5), and London Brige(7). And if you want to explore shops and markets - and get something to eat and drink - then there is the Hays Galleria (10) and Borogh Market (8).
ROUTE EXTENTION
Apart from doing the route in reverse and reinforcing the route mentally and physically, there are no other route extensions available althogh extenstions for the area have been created for the London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London - 2.9 km route - see below
FOLLOW ON ROUTES
If you want a 'follow-on' route, try the 'London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London - 2.9 km route.' This is part of a connected series of routes that will take you across London to Hyde Park.
