Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond

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Looking for the best walks near Putney? Putney is situated along the River Thames and is between Putney Heath’s woodlands and Richmond Park. In this blog post, I’ve rounded up the best walks near Putney for you to enjoy!

Although Putney is located in one of the busiest cities in the world, it’s home to many walks and large green spaces. From a light stroll in the Putney Heath woodlands to a riverside Thames walk, there are so many Putney walks to keep you active!

Below I have listed the best walks near Putney, including ones you can enjoy after your hearty Sunday roast or an afternoon in the pub! So, let’s get started.

Visiting Putney, London? You might also like…

• Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
• Best Putney Sunday Roast: A Local’s Guide
• Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide

Best walks near Putney: A Summary

Putney is a town in Southwest London on a meander of the River Thames. It is home to Putney Heath; a large woodland area with traditional pubs and cricket grounds, and is the starting point of the Oxford v Cambridge annual boat race.

It is one of the more affluent areas in London, with one of the best high streets in the city. From flower stalls to coffee shops, and brunch bars to high-street fashion, Putney has plenty of shops to keep you occupied!

Some of the most beautiful walks in London are near Putney. With an abundance of green spaces, Putney is one of the best places to walk in London.

Where to stay in Putney, London

If you’re visiting Putney for the first time and need a place to stay to check out the area, here are some of the best-located apartments and hotels.

• 3 Bedroom Private Apartment: for a cosy and quintessential apartment with garden space in the heart of Putney ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!
• Modern Flat on Putney High Street: the perfect location for travelling in and out of London on a daily basis! ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!
• 1 Bedroom flat with Patio: five minutes from the high street, this apartment is on the River Thames and has a beautiful setup! ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!

Getting around Putney

Southwest London isn’t as tricky to drive in as Central London, and most people in the area own a car. If you’re visiting for a short amount of time, it may be worth hiring a car to get around to some of the parks, attractions and museums. 

If you’re looking to hire a car in London, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in London now!

If you don’t want to drive, there are regular trains until midnight and buses in Putney 24 hours a day. You can use your contactless card on both trains and buses in London. 

For cheap train tickets to and from London, check out Trainline. We book with them whenever we are leaving the city, and want to get to other locations in the UK (including airports). ➡ CHECK TRAIN PRICES NOW!

How to get to Putney from Central London

If you want to visit Putney from Central London, board a mainline train from Waterloo, or a District Line train via Wimbledon.

The mainline train from Waterloo is fast and only takes 20 minutes. But, it is more expensive than the District Line. However, the District line (the dark green line, for reference) takes a lot longer.

If you’re boarding a train at Earls Court to Putney, make sure you get a train that is labelled ‘Wimbledon’. It can be quite confusing as so many trains stop at the same platform, so make sure you’re boarding the correct one!

Best walks near Putney

1. Putney Heath to Wimbledon

(1 hour 15 mins +)

Putney Heath is a 400-acre woodland situated between Putney and Wimbledon. You can begin your walk at the famous 18th Century Green Man pub. Continue walking just over 4.5 miles to Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon high street.

The walk isn’t too strenuous as it starts at the top of Putney Hill. It will take around an hour to do depending on your pace.

Be sure to check out one of Putney’s oldest pubs, The Green Man, known for being an old duelling spot and being opposite one of the most notorious highwayman paths. A bit of history always makes for an interesting walk!

The trails through Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common are slightly different. Putney Heath has few open spaces, thick woodland and cute ponds, whereas Wimbledon Common is the opposite! It has large areas of open heath and a big pond, which is perfect for a picnic spot!

Oooh, and if you’re looking for a good pub en route, stop off at the Crooked Billet in Wimbledon (especially if it’s a sunny day!) You’ll find people of all ages sitting on the green or in the beer garden enjoying the weather and drinking a pint. Plus it’s a great spot for an afternoon read!

➡ View my favourite and the best pubs in Putney here.

2. Putney to Battersea Riverside Walk

(1.5 hours +)

Start your walk from Putney to Battersea from Putney’s town centre, and walk as far along the river as Battersea. You can walk on either side of the river, although it’s preferable to walk on the south side due to the wider path and parks.

However, if it’s a sunny day or weekend, the path can get pretty busy. It’s easy enough to cross over to the north side of the river if you find this is the case!

There are benches en route if you need to stop, as well as shops, cafes and pubs (I recommend the Ship in Wandsworth if you have time). If you need the toilet, there is a big Sainsbury’s about halfway through to stop at.

The walk from Putney to Battersea takes about an hour and a half and is around 5 miles long.

3. Putney to Barnes Riverside Walk

(1 hour 15 minutes+)

Another popular walk near Putney is the Putney to Barnes riverside walk. It’s an easy, flat walk and shouldn’t take longer than an hour and fifteen minutes (if you don’t stop for photos or a pint in the pub).

The popular Putney to Barnes hike also covers the first four miles of the famous Oxford vs Cambridge boat race (although you wouldn’t want to do it on this day, it gets rammed!)

One of the best things about the Putney to Barnes walk is the number of pubs and restaurants you’ll pass on the way, with some favourites being in either Putney centre or Barnes. Barnes has a real ‘family’ feel to it and is the perfect high street for first-timers to London who prefer a ‘village’ type vibe.

4. Hammersmith to Putney Towpath Loop

(1.5-2 hours)

One of Putney’s most picturesque walks, the Hammersmith to Putney towpath is perfect for dog walking or an afternoon stroll after your Sunday roast. The walk will take around 1.5-2 hours, and for the majority of it, you will be away from busy roads.

Again there are many pubs on the route for a stop-off, and benches if you are feeling tired. You can join or leave the walk whenever, or just loop back around from where you started.

If you’re a fan of bridges, you can tie in the famous Putney Bridge and overlook the Thames from there. Putney is also full of bars, restaurants and cafes for you to enjoy some downtime before or after your walk. You’ll also pass Bishop’s Park and Fulham Football Club.

5. Putney to Richmond Thames Path

(3.5 hours+)

One of the longest walks from Putney would be directly along the river to Richmond. It’s a great one to do, especially when the sun is shining, but you might want to hop on the bus or tube back!

The route passes the Wetlands Centre, passes under Hammersmith Bridge, Barnes, Kew, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Kew Palace (meaning you could always stop off en route). If you continue on, the path will take you past Old Deer Park (which is worth coming back for), Richmond Lock and then into Richmond town centre.

Like I said, it’s a longer walk, and although it’s not uphill, it will take around 3.5 hours to complete. The walk can be done in either direction and if you’re feeling exhausted halfway through, there are many transport links along the way.

If you’re starting in Putney and ending in Richmond, I recommend stopping off for lunch at the White Cross by Richmond Bridge. It has great riverside views and the beer will feel very well deserved!

Visiting Richmond? Check out my other posts:

• Putney To Richmond, London: Step-By-Step Guide
• Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
• 16 Fun Things to do in Richmond, London (By A Local)
• Shops in Richmond, London: Ultimate Guide

6. Putney Heath Circular Loop

(1.5 hours +)

Starting and finishing at the Green Man on Putney Hill, this circular loop covers 5 miles of woodland and forest. It’s perfect if you want to be away from busy roads or the bustle of London.

This walk can be done on a summer’s evening with a dinner to finish off in the Green Man. If you’re relatively fit, the hiking trails are easy as it’s all flat and straightforward. However, as Putney Heath is mainly woodlands, look out for unexpected tree stumps and loose branches!

7. Putney Heath

(15 minutes – 2 hours or more)

If you’re not looking for an hour-plus walk, one of our favourite things to do in Putney is to just go on a short walk through the Heath. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get far, walking through the woodlands gives you an energy boost of nature and makes you feel a hundred miles away from the city.

We only live a stone’s throw away, and I make sure to fit a short stroll in the forest daily. You can start or finish wherever in Putney Heath, as there are multiple entrances. Just take your time to enjoy nature!

8. Bishop’s Park, Putney walk

(10-30 minutes)

Bishop’s Park is located just across Putney Bridge and is the perfect spot for a short stroll if you don’t fancy hours of walking. Walk directly opposite Putney’s row of rowing clubs (mind the pun), and soak in the sunshine and the glimmer of the River Thames.

Putney is also full of Boris bikes (aka rentable Santander bikes), which can be hired for a few pounds a day (depending on how long you have it). Bishop’s Park is a great place to hire a bike and have a picnic stop.

9. Putney to Wandsworth Park

(15 minutes)

Another short walk from Putney Bridge is the Thames walk to Wandsworth Park. This is another of my easy favourites as it can be done at sunset and in the lighter evenings easily.

The Queen Adelaide pub is also at the end of the route (if you’re finishing in Wandsworth) which does a cracking Sunday roast and has a welcoming beer garden. Wandsworth Park also has large tennis courts, a Putt in the Park and a playground. I don’t know if I’m just lucky, but it also attracts owners walking some incredible dogs!

Walks near Putney: FAQs

1) Can you walk on Putney Bridge?

Yes. Putney Bridge is open all year round to walk across. The bridge connects Putney High Street and Fulham, and the north side of the bridge is the entrance of Bishop’s Park. I love walking across Putney Bridge, although it can get quite busy. It’s a perfect photo opportunity (when it’s not blowing a gale!)

2) Can you walk along the River Thames?

Yes, there are many parts of the River Thames you can walk along for good views and lunch spots. Putney is situated on the River Thames and is a good starting point for many walks and trails.

3) How long does it take to walk along the Thames?

Well, not in one day, but it is possible. Walking along the Thames will rack up over 185 miles (298 km), and walking 15 miles per day will allow you to finish the route in 14 days. The Thames’ source is way up in the Cotswolds, so it isn’t an easy task!

4) Is Putney safe?

Yes, Putney is a safe area of London. As a female, I have never felt unsafe walking around Putney at night or even after midnight. Of course, as anywhere, you have to be sensible and aware of your surroundings, but on the whole, Putney is a safe place to live. Locals are friendly, and there are lots of opportunities to join clubs and make friends.

Nightlife on the high street (especially Thursday-Saturday) can get busy; but attracts a more sensible crowd than its neighbours Kingston and Clapham.

Visiting London? Check out my post: Is London Safe for Solo Women Backpackers? 11 Handy Tips

5) Is Putney nice?

Yes. If you’re a nature fan, it’s a great area to visit or live in for all the outdoor and green spaces. Whilst you’re close to Richmond Park and Putney Heath, you’re also surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes. In my opinion, it’s one of the nicest areas in London.

6) Can you drive around Putney?

Yes, Southwest London isn’t as tricky to drive in as Central London, and most people in the area own a car. The streets are quieter and not as chaotic as Central London, and most apartments in Putney come with parking spaces.

➡ Need to hire a car in London? We always rent our cars in London from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN LONDON NOW!

7) Do I need a SIM card to travel around London? 

Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Walks Near Putney: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best walks near Putney. When you’re planning a trip to Southwest London, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more London content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Visiting Putney, London? You might also like…

• 16 Fun Things to do in Richmond, London (By A Local)
• Best Putney Sunday Roast: A Local’s Guide
• Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide