London Through The Lens - 16 Photography Walk Routes in London
As a photographer, one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the craft is capturing the unique beauty of a city. London is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, with an abundance of iconic landmarks, picturesque neighbourhoods, and vibrant street life. However, with so much to see and photograph, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide will introduce you to 16 of the best photography walk routes in London, providing tips and techniques for capturing the city's beauty through the lens.
One of the biggest challenges for photographers in London is deciding where to go to take the best photos. The city is vast, and there are countless areas, landmarks, and streets to explore. Additionally, the weather in London can be unpredictable, and the crowds can make it difficult to get the perfect shot.
To overcome these challenges, it's essential to have a plan and to know where to go to get the best photos. By choosing specific photography walk routes in London, you can focus on particular areas of the city and take advantage of the best lighting and weather conditions. Additionally, by exploring less-crowded areas and streets, you can capture candid shots of people and street life without the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
The aim of this article is to not only give you an idea of 16 photography walking routes around London but inspire you to find and share your own. The routes have been carefully curated to provide a wide range of photographic opportunities, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. They cover a variety of neighbourhoods and landmarks, including Notting Hill, Camden Town, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Additionally, each route provides tips and techniques for capturing the best photos, including how to take advantage of different lighting conditions and how to compose your shots.
16 London photography walking routes
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament: This route starts at Westminster Station and ends at St. James's Park Station. Along the way, you'll pass by iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye.
Notting Hill: This route starts at Ladbroke Grove Station and ends at Holland Park Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the famous Portobello Road market, picturesque pastel-coloured houses, and street art. This route is best on weekends when the market is open, and the streets are busiest.
Camden Town: This route starts at Camden Town Station and ends at King's Cross Station. Along the way, you'll pass by Camden Market, a lot of street art, and alternative shops and pubs. If you want to avoid the crowds, do this photography walk during the day on weekdays. If you particularly want crowds, aim for weekday evenings and weekends,
Greenwich: This route starts at Greenwich DLR station and ends at Canary Wharf station. Along the way, you'll pass by the Royal Observatory, the Prime Meridian, and the Cutty Sark, as well as the Greenwich market and the beautiful parks. This route is best in the morning when the light is best.
Tower of London and Tower Bridge: This route starts at Tower Hill Station and ends at London Bridge Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the iconic Tower of London and Tower Bridge, as well as the historic streets of the City of London. This route is opposite to the Camden Town route. If you want crowds, go during weekdays however if you want empty streets, weekends are best.
Southbank: This route starts at Waterloo Station and ends at London Bridge Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the London Eye, the Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, as well as street performers and the river Thames.
Victoria Park: This route starts at Mile End Station and ends at Liverpool Street Station. Along the way, you'll pass by Victoria Park, one of London's most beautiful parks, as well as street art, and Regent's Canal.
Soho: This route starts at Oxford Circus Station and ends at Piccadilly Circus Station. Along the way, you'll pass by Soho's bustling streets, historic pubs, and vibrant nightlife. This route is best at night and weekends when the streets are busiest.
The City: This route starts at St. Paul's Station and ends at Liverpool Street Station. Along the way, you'll pass by St. Paul's Cathedral, the Bank of England, the Gherkin, and other iconic buildings of the City of London. This route is great for people who love architecture photography due to the modern sky scrapers as well as much older buildings.
The Thames Path: This route starts at Tower Bridge and ends at Greenwich. Along the way, you'll pass by the Tower of London, the Thames Barrier, the O2 Arena, and other famous landmarks along the river.
The Royal Parks: This route starts at Buckingham Palace and ends at Kensington Palace. Along the way, you'll pass by Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens.
Regent's Canal Walk: This route starts at Little Venice (Warwick Avenue Station) and ends at Victoria Park (Mile End Station). Along the way, you'll pass by picturesque canals, locks, houseboats, and Regent's Park, as well as ZSL London Zoo, Camden Lock Market, and Broadway Market.
The (long) Thames Riverside Walk: This route starts at Putney Bridge Station and ends at Tower Bridge Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the river Thames, the famous boat houses, Battersea Park, Chelsea Embankment, and other famous landmarks along the river.
The Royal London Walk: This route starts at Buckingham Palace and ends at Greenwich. Along the way, you'll pass by the famous Royal Palace, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Greenwich Park, and the Royal Observatory.
The London's Museums Walk: This route starts at South Kensington Station and ends at King's Cross Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the famous museums, such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the V&A Museum, as well as the Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace.
The East End Walk: This route starts at Liverpool Street Station and ends at Canary Wharf Station. Along the way, you'll pass by the colourful streets, the street art, Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market, and the famous Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
Things to remember when going on a photography walk
Plan your route in advance: research the area you're visiting and plan your route to take advantage of the best light and weather conditions.
Check the weather forecast: make sure you're prepared for any weather conditions you may encounter on your walk.
Dress appropriately: wear comfortable shoes and clothing that will keep you warm and dry in any weather conditions.
Bring the right gear: make sure you have all the equipment you need, including your camera (make sure it is fully charged), lenses, batteries, and memory cards.
Be aware of your surroundings: always stay alert and aware of your surroundings for your safety and for potential photo opportunities.
Be respectful: always ask permission before taking photos of people and respect the wishes of those who do not want to be photographed.
Take your time: don't rush, take your time and enjoy the walk, and wait for the perfect shot.
Look for different perspectives: try to find unique angles and perspectives to make your photos stand out.
Experiment with different settings: try different camera settings and shooting modes to create different effects in your photos.
Focus on the details: pay attention to the small details, like textures, patterns, and colours that can make your photos more interesting.
Keep your energy levels up: bring some snacks and water with you to keep yourself hydrated and energized during the walk.
Be prepared to walk a lot: photography walks can be long and tiring, so make sure you're physically prepared for the walk.
Be flexible: be open to changing plans if the weather or lighting conditions aren't suitable for the original plan.
Have fun: remember to enjoy the process, and don't get too caught up in getting the perfect shot.
It's always good to have a plan and an idea of what you want to capture, but it's also important to be flexible and open to unexpected opportunities that may come your way. Remembering these points will help you to make the most of your photography walk and take great photos.
As you can see, London is a photographer's dream, with endless opportunities to capture its beauty. By exploring the city's best photography walk routes, you can focus on specific areas and take advantage of the best lighting and weather conditions. Hopefully, with this guide, you'll be able to take your photography to the next level and capture the beauty of London through the lens.