Pre-determining your focus will help you save time and money on your walking holidays.  One of your best bets is London Walks, a tour service that provides a variety of keen walks perfect for walking holidays in London.

Here are a few great ideas to get you going:

If you want to focus on London history then look no further than walking tours such as the “The Inns of Court.”  This walk is extremely historical and features all the pomp and circumstance of the British courts.  Think wigged and gowned English barristers, secret passageways, secret rituals and the inside stories that few get to hear.  This particular tour focuses on a combination of architecture, society secrets and the law.

Another history focused walking holiday would be “Old Mayfair” (the best address in London.)  Delve into the village within the village.  From the rich and note worthy to the lost 18th century town.  Old Mayfair provides a peek into a historic world rarely spoken about.

Prefer pop culture?  Why not take a walking holiday with Harry Potter.  London walks offers tours of the actual locations where the Harry Potter films were shot.  There are three different tours associated with this theme.  Londontown, Central City and Deathly Hallows.  If you are a big fan plan to take all three and view the “inside world” of Pottermania.

The Future is Here!  In 2012 London will host the Summer Olympics and the eyes of the world will be upon it.  See the preparations up close and personal on the Olympics walking tour.  London has a rich history with this worldwide event.  Visit the past, present and future  including 1908, 1948 and 2012.  See it all in the Olympic Park arena off of the West Ham tube stop.

Love Food?  Then a walking holiday in London focused on gourmet foods can’t be beat.  This tour includes Chocolate Lovers tours, the Pie Crust to Upper Crust, Cheeses galore and more.  Taste and see that London is good.  You will have the opportunity to sample and purchase foods as you walk the streets where some of the finest gourmet delectables are made.

A walking holiday in London can be focused around pre-designed, hosted tours or simply by purchasing a copy of Rick Steve’s London guide and following his many walks.  If you happen to holiday during bad weather, don’t worry.  Days can be spent walking the halls of the British Museum, the National Gallery or the Tate.  Ask about indoor tours while you are there.

Grab your walking shoes, a map, an umbrella and a camera and get out there.  You are about to embark on some great exercise and some memories that will last a lifetime.

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How to get started:

First, you must decide whether you would like to join a walking tour or navigate your own journey.  A walking tour is a great way to see the countryside especially if you are traveling alone.  Developing your own tour is also a great possibility although for safety it is best to always walk in twos.

If you are considering joining an organized walk you must decide your budget, your time frame and the area you are most interested in seeing.  Walking tours generally last for 2 – 7 days and often include your meals and lodging as a package.  Lodging is usually held within a historic property.  When walking with a group you will make new friends and also find time to be alone.  Your personal guide will show you the ins and outs of the countryside and the villages opening opportunities few visitors would experience.

Custom or independent walks are also available from a variety of companies.  These tours involve your choice of region, time frame and interest.  The tours will pair you with a guide who may or may not walk the journey with you. (the choice is up to you.)

Walking tours of the U.K. are available from a variety of companies including:

Foot Trails:  Foot trails focuses on South West England with trips through the Cotswolds, Wiltshire and Sommerset.  They offer tours all year, both group and independent.  Many of their trails include Inn to Inn walks allowing you to journey through a region one bed and breakfast at a time.  Foot trails offers a custom experience for anyone who wants to see a unique prespective of SW Britain.  http://www.FootTrails.co.uk

Ramblers:  Ramblers offers walking tours of many areas including Wales, Scotland and Coast to Coast trails.  You can join a group or develop a customized private walk with their assistance.  A variety of dates are available from May through September.  Ramblers has a great reputation and their website includes testimonials and photos to help you pick your path.  http://www.Ramblers.com

Drover Holidays: Drover Holidays feature self guided tours with pick up and drop off along the Wye Valley.  Registration includes transportation to and from your walk location, luggage transfer to your inn, B&B accomodations and a handy first aid kit. Each walker receives a highlighted map to follow each step of the way. Drover offers a variety of trails from easy to extra strenuous.  http://www.DroverHolidays.co.uk

As you can see, a walking tour of the U.K. can be a refreshing, healthy and affordable approach to seeing this amazing country one village at a time.  Be sure to bring your camera as you are sure to have some of the most breathtaking photos ever!

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For speed the underground is the better choice but if you want to see something of London as you go, then the bus is the better, although slower option. Bus 11 is a wonderful choice for the tourist. Starting at Fulham Broadway in the west of London the bus crosses London, via the King’s Road in Chelsea, Sloane Square, Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, the Strand, Aldwych, Fleet Street, Ludgate Hill, St. Paul’s, Mansion House, Bank, Broad Street and terminates at the Liverpool Street Bus Station.

Along this route there are numerous stops where you can get off and see some of London’s most important sites. If you were to begin your day at Liverpool Street Station, you could turn left up Bishopsgate, the easternmost boundary of the Historic City of London, and turn right at the intersection with Brushfield Street which leads you to Spitalfields Market.

This was a fruit and vegetable market that was originally constructed in 1628. The original market has long since gone but the Old Spitalfields Market square has been redeveloped into an area housing many shops and restaurants.

At this point, if you are so inclined you can follow the trail of Jack The Ripper, the name given to a serial killer whose identity has never been established, who between August and November 1888 murdered five women. Alternatively walk down Fournier Street where you can see wonderful examples of houses dating back to 1720. This leads into Brick Lane, home to a large Bangladeshi community and famous for its curry houses.

If you continue south on Brick lane you will cross the Whitechapel Road and you will eventually find yourself facing Tower Bridge Approach and the Tower of London.

If at the end of your visit to the Tower you have the energy, turn west down Tower Hill into Tower Street and then Eastcheap and you will find yourself at The Monument to the Great Fire of London which started in nearby Pudding Lane in 1666. It is possible to climb to the top of The Monument via a winding staircase containing 311 steps. From the Monument, you can walk up King William Street and find yourself at Bank, home to the Royal Exchange, the Mansion House (official residence of the Lord Mayor of London) and the Bank of England. More importantly, from here, you can either board the 11 bus or take the underground back across the city.

It is very simple to use the Public Transport System and economical if you buy a Travelcard but do get on and off and walk between one or two points of interest. That way you will not only see more but also learn a great deal about London.

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When planning to see London on foot you will want to take some time to plan your days. The Best of London on Foot can be experienced by dividing it into 2 “must see” tours.

1. Begin at the beginning. Arriving in London you may find yourself with a small case of jetlag. A great way to adjust to the time change is by taking a good long walk in the fresh air. Aquaint yourself with the city by taking the “Love London” walk. Begin at Picadilly Circus and walk along Haymarket Street for a while taking in the sights of the city. Take a slight left and walk along Trafalgar square road. When you reach Trafalgar Square you will find yourself in the heart of the city. Down at the end of the road you will see Big Ben peeking at you. Behind you stands you will see the National Gallery open nearly every day for free. Follow Whitehall street and pass by 10 Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister. Take a left onto Bridge street and prepare to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the famed Parliment Buildings. Turn left again on Victoria Embankment and follow the Thames River up to Northumberland avenue. Northhumberland will take you back to Trafalgar Square and up to Picadilly.

Allow a good 2 hours or more for this walk as you will want to stop and see the sites along the way. Be sure to take lots of photos and email them home. It’s a great way to say “Look Where I Am!”

2. Now that you have a feel for London take a walk on the “Royal Side.” Begin this walk at the House of Parliment. Walk up Birdcage walk past the Churchill War Rooms museum (well worth a visit!) and the Guards museum (also a very facinating place to tour). Turn right onto Spur Road and you will find yourself on the Buckingham Palace circle. This is a great place to see the “Changing of the Guards” or simply pose by the imposing gates for a picture. After seeing the palace continue down Birdcage walk to Rueben’s Hotel. This elegant hotel serves an amazing afternoon tea. A perfect place to get a feel for being royal and a nice spot to rest your feet. Leave Ruebens and continue down Birdcage which has now become Buckingham Palace Road. End by following Buckingham Palace road to the signs for Victoria Station. Victoria Station  leaves you in Central London.

You can now continue on your journey or take a train to other parts of the U.K.

Want ideas for additional walks? Try reading Rick Steve’s London which features a variety of additional walks and can be read on your Kindle, Ipad or Phone.

Here are the top 5 sights you must see in any visit to London

1. Buckingham Palace – Visit where the Queen calls  home.  Buckingham Palace is a large mansion located in the heart of downtown London.  Visitors actually look through the gates at the back of the palace where the guards patrole.  If the flag is on top of the pole the Queen is in residence.  Plan to come early and see the Changing of the Guard.  You will need to check their schedule as this ceremony is only done every other day.  If you visit in August you will be able to take a walking tour of the palace itself.  The Queen is away and the visitors can play!  You will love seeing how the royals actually live.  Be sure to bring your camera.

2. Houses of Parliment and Big Ben  – The Houses of Parliment were re-built in London after the great fire of 1835.  A national competition was held for the new design and the building was finally complete in the late 1800′s.  The palaces are a gothic revival and worth a visit.  Few people realize that you can actually tour parliment and attend a live debate.  For reservations contact http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/.  Make friends jealous by recording an audio message on your phone saying “hello from London” just as Big Ben gongs.  Post it on your facebook and your friends will know you are “really there!”

3. Hyde or St. James Park – Londoners love their parks and gardens.  This is a huge part of it’s personality.  Plan to take some time in your busy schedule to walk one of the great city parks.  Each park has water ways, grass, flowers and trees.  A great refreshment in the midst of the city.

4. Westminster Abbey – Westminster Abbey has been seen around the world for both state funerals and weddings.  Westminster is actually a large operating catherdral.  Plan to attend one of its many daily services.  The evensong held daily at 5 pm features a boys choir and offers a memorable experience.  Don’t miss the Westminster gift shop located just outside the abbey.  This gift shop is one of the best in London offering unique items that you won’t find anywhere else.

5. The London Eye – The “Eye” is a newer attraction opened in 2000 to celebrate the new millinium.  The Eye is basically as huge ferris wheel but instead of seats you have large glass compartments.  Plan to buy your ticket early and bring your camera.  This attraction offers one of the greatest views of the city available.  For 20 minutes you will see London from every elevation.  This attraction is well worth the money.

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When you visit London, say for example, where people are aware of the importance of keeping healthy and devise new ways and means to achieve targets, remember to stay fit. You can do this by walking instead of talking cabs or buses, running or taking a bike ride, swimming at lunch hours and volunteering in local communities. This is healthy and smart living.
Travellers to London may also take benefit from these innovative ideas to keep young and healthy at heart by taking the “Go London” pledge of becoming more active. Tourists can benefit by hiring bicycles for the same purpose or just jog aroung the parks. Walking is also a great way of saving money while keeping active, so try avoiding buses and tubes.

 
Walking is the most easiest and cheapest way of staying fit. It is an excellent natural exercise which needs no equipment, clothing or formal training and has many benefits such as keeping a check on increasing weight by burning extra fat and calories, maintaining correct blood pressure and lipid profiles including cholesterol, spending time with friends and family thus staying happy, learning more by communicating more and also taking care of our environment and surroundings. Walking can easily fit in your daily life and you can gradually build up the habit of walking to change your life for good.

There are more than 230 events organised in the UK to develop interest in such healthy activities. You may join any one of the regimes which suits your requirements. It is also a nice way of generating funds to help out the needy people in the country and one should participate. Usually during the first week of December, the country organises various activities and events across London such as Santa Fun Race to generate funds for life-saving research work.

The main aim of increasing physical activity is to motivate people to understand the importance of healthy living by reducing obesity and redcuing the risks of many related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes - the major killers of the world today. Along with improving their activity levels, travellers must also take into concern the qualty of food they eat because a nutrient rich diet is a vital part of keeping healthy and energetic. This will not only help the oldies but also people of the young generation.So the next time you visit London don’t forget to enjoy walking instead of running into tubes.

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London walking tours range in price from 6-15 pounds depending on the length of the tour. This is one of the most affordable ways to see London plus you have an expert to give you the “inside scoop.” The key is choosing a walking tour company that has well trained guides. A guide can make or break your experience. Many London Walking Tours websites offer testimonials and suggestions for choosing a guide. Read the site and see what other people are saying before choosing a tour.

Walking tours are also a nice way to meet people from all over the world. Your tour may be filled with tourists or locals who may offer additional suggestions for places to go and things to see. Your walking guide is an expert in London town and will be able to suggest places to eat, unusual sites you can walk to and of course, they can suggest additional walking tours you may enjoy.

Here are a few popular London walking tours companies:

London Walks – London walks is a well established tour company and offers unique walkabouts including Olympic Walks, Harry Potter Walks, Royal Wedding Walks along with more traditional tours like Jack The Ripper. London Walks offers discount Walkabout cards that offer a special rate if you do more than one tour. http://www.Walks.com

Walk Talk Tours- This company offers virtual guides so you can explore at your own pace and your own leisure. Simply download your choice of MP3 and follow the audio guide. You can choose from tours like The Palace Trail, The City and The Tower and City and Southbank Circular. http://www.walktalktour.com

London Ghost Walks- If you are looking for the “dark side” of London look no further. This company focuses on showing you the mysterious history of the great city. Ghost walks will lead you through past and present paranormal activities that will be sure to have you talking when you get home! http://www.london-ghost-tour.com/

Once you have chosen the perfect tour for you and your friends be sure to keep these tips in mind:

1. Plan for all types of weather. Be sure to bring a small umbrella with you and if needed a warm coat.

2. Wear walking shoes! Shoes with good support will allow you to enjoy your tour around London instead of wishing you could get off your feet. Always wear shoes that are broken in and comfortable.

3. Allow 3-4 hours for a tour. Tours range from 2-3 hours. Additional time should be allotted for getting to your meeting spot.

4. Bring water! Once you join a walking tour you will be walking! Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water to refresh yourself along the way. Some tours will allow time to stop for refreshments while others may not. If you struggle with low blood sugars you may want to consider carrying a small bag of almonds as well. There is nothing worse than feeling sick when you should be enjoying the sites.

Whether you follow an audio tour or choose a live guide, choosing a walking tour through London will give you an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

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London lends itself to walking.

If you look at a map of London and mark the sites you particularly want to see, you will find that they can be grouped into areas. If you are anxious to go shopping then you can start at the Piccadilly Circus end of Regent Street, walk North, passing Hamley’s famous toy shop and the iconic Liberty’s building, until you reach Oxford Circus. Then turn either left or right down Oxford Street, depending on the type of purchases you wish to make. Turning left will take you towards Marble Arch and Bond Street, where some of the designer shops are situated. It will also take you to Selfridges, one of London’s major department stores.

Turning right will take you to Tottenham Court Road, home to electronic and furniture stores or Charing Cross Road where book stores abound. If Royalty is to be your theme for the day, start your walk at Trafalgar Square, pass through Admiralty Arch and then continue along the length of The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. You will walk by Clarence House, once the home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and now the London home of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

If the Royal Standard is flying above Buckingham Palace it means the Queen is in residence. Only during August and September is the Palace open to visitors but on most days throughout the year, come rain or shine, the Changing of the Guard takes place in the Palace forecourt at 11.15am. If you walk through St. James’s Park you will find yourself facing Horse Guards Parade where the Trooping of the Colour takes place on the Queen’s official birthday. Strangely it will be the venue of the Beach Volleyball Competition during the London Olympics in 2012.

If you turn right along Horse Guards Road you will pass the Foreign Office and on the corner of King Charles Street you can visit the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. Continuing straight brings you into Parliament Square and there you will see both Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. You can return to your starting point, Trafalgar Square by walking the length of Whitehall, passing the entrance to Downing Street, where number 10 is the home to the British Prime Minister, and the Cenotaph, the war memorial designed by Edward Lutyens.

There are also some wonderful walks along the banks of the River Thames. From the London Eye, situated on the South Bank by Westminster Bridge, it is possible to walk alongside the river passing the Festival Hall, the OXO Tower, the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre and HMS Belfast. You can cross back to the North Bank at the Tate Modern by using the Millennium Bridge. This gives you direct access to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

These are just a couple of examples. There are many more. Get out your map, put on your comfy shoes and walk!

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It is a place for all tourists with many features that are very attractive. When many tourists visit London they do not take their time to fully explore the city. However, not so many tourists know that it is not easy to beat walking especially when you want to explore a city like London.

The reason for this is that you will be able to take in so much detail when you walk around. The ambience is also very much when you just walk and have a look at it. It is actually better than a bus tour because buses are very fast and you will not have enough time to completely “absorb” the environment. Walking in London is also easy because you can go down off the street and take many photographs without feeling rushed.

London is an appropriate city to explore just by walking around. You can travel using the tube in order to reach a particular a neighborhood or even the district that you would wish to explore then you just start walking.

There are four interesting places or neighborhoods to visit and explore when you are in London. These include Mayfair, Chelsea, Westminster and Hampstead there are many others but these are just some of the interesting ones to explore. There are reasons why I am suggesting that Westminster is a place to visit when walking in London.

The main reason is that this place has a magnificent wealth of history you cannot just afford going by bus because you will not see all the marvels around. Though the district is small, it also consists of landmarks that are remarkable. Some of them are The Palace of Westminster, Trafalgar Square, St. James’s Park, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Horse Guards Parade, Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Another beautiful walk is in the Hampstead district on the north of London Central. This place is beautiful because you will not only get a chance of exploring the prestigious area with beautiful homes you will also get to experience the Hampstead Heath also known as the urban wilderness. You can also decide to go to parliament hill to have an outstanding view across London in totality. This neighborhood also consists of museums of as early as the 18th century. You would not want to miss that.

Taking a walk through Chelsea neighborhood also introduces you to some historic homes of some of the most prominent British figures that once lived there. The notable homes also feature the blue plaque outlining many interesting information concerning the residents who lived there. Some other major features in this lovely neighborhood are the Albert Bridge and the Royal Hospital that was designed by a renowned architect by the name of Christopher Wren.

Lastly, a walk through the Mayfair neighborhood will lead you to notable landmarks like the Ritz hotel (where you will be shown the room in which Winston Churchill lived as boy), Piccadilly Circus and the church of Saint James. These are some of the beautiful places that a tourist will get to visit when walking in London; something which you will not experience in a bus tour.

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Cambridge lies at eighty kilometers from London and it is named this way because of the Cambridge University. Because it has some of the most wonderful museums in Europe and an architecture that you will never forget, Cambridge is now one of the most highly visited places in the United Kingdom.
When wanting to be let in on the Famous Sights To Visit In London, it is advised that you will visit them by foot, for there are plenty of in-between details that can never be observed if a bus tour would be considered. Thus, in the following minutes we will speak of some of the wonders in London that you will absolutely need to see:
Fitzwilliam Museum
The museum was built between eighteen thirty seven and eighteen forty eight and this museum is popular due to the Roman, Greek and let us not forget about the Egyptian historical items it holds. It also features works from Rubens, Matise, Rembrandt and an outstanding example of English pottery, Renaissance and also Medieval manuscripts. If you would like to visit it, you will be able to find it on the Trumpington Street.
King’s College Chapel
This is actually one of the most important buildings in the United Kingdom. Every year, people are delighted with watching “A Festival of 9 Seasons” which is a program that gets broadcasted every year on Christmas Eve. Henry the sixth is the one that began the construction in fourteen forty eight and the building was complete in a staggering one hundred years. It is one of the most impressive Gothic style buildings you will ever see and it features the most amazing stained glass windows created between fifteen fifteen and fifteen thirty one and also the biggest fan vault ceiling in the world.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden holds over eight thousand species not only from the United Kingdom, but from around the world as well. It was founded in eighteen forty six and it is the place where many wonderful gardens can be seem like the Scented Garden, the Glasshouse Range, the Rock garden and many more. Visitors will be able to also admire cacti and tropical plants while visiting them.
Cambridge American Cemetery
The Cemetery is a grim place that holds the bodies of three thousand eight hundred and twelve American women & men that have served during WW II and lost their lives in the process. There are five thousand one hundred and twenty seven servicemen that The Wall of the Missing memorializes.
Queen’s College
The Queen’s College was founded in fourteen forty eight by Henry the sixth’s queen and it is a place that is mostly well known for the Mathematical Bridge. The Wooden Bridge crosses the Cam River and it is one of the most wonderful things you can see in Cambridge, London.
These are just a few of the Famous Sights To Visit In London that can be easily reached by foot,  so if you are curious of visiting them, just book yourself a vacation and you will soon be enchanted by their beauty and historical value.

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