Thames Path London — Putney to Tower Bridge

The Thames Path from Putney to Tower Bridge begins at Putney Bridge, a five-minute walk from Putney Bridge station on the District line and London Overground. There is no permit or fee, and the route needs no parking since it runs point-to-point through central London. The 20km section is entirely flat, with negligible elevation gain, making it a distance challenge rather than a technical one. The surface is paved riverside walkway throughout, with no scrambling and only mild exposure to wind on open embankment stretches; tree cover appears intermittently near Battersea Park and the South Bank but most of the route is open to the sky. Key landmarks include Battersea Power Station's restored riverside promenade, Albert Bridge, Chelsea Embankment, the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe on the South Bank, and the finish at Tower Bridge with views of HMS Belfast. Because the path runs alongside a dozen Tube, rail, and Overground stations, walkers can use Battersea Park (roughly 7km in) or Bankside (roughly 15km in) as natural turn-around or exit points if the full distance is not needed. There are no wilderness water sources or shelters required; the route passes a continuous string of cafés, pubs, and public toilets, particularly dense between Chelsea and the South Bank. The path is suitable for all fitness levels given its flat, paved nature, though the 20km distance still requires reasonable stamina if walked in one go rather than split across a day. Tidal stretches of foreshore are visible at low tide near Wandsworth and Rotherhithe but are not part of the official walking surface. Cyclists share sections of the towpath, particularly around Wandsworth and Vauxhall, so pedestrians should stay alert. The walk can be comfortably completed in five to six hours at a steady pace, with numerous benches and riverside seating for rest breaks along the way.