. Setting Off from Covent Garden
We began our walk in the heart of Covent Garden, surrounded by the buzz of the piazza and the sound of street performers echoing around the cobbles. The market hall was already busy with visitors drifting between stalls, and the sight of the Royal Opera House reminded us how deeply this area is tied to London’s cultural history. With our route in mind, we set off down Drury Lane.
2. Down Drury Lane
Drury Lane felt like a step back in time. We passed the grand Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, a building that’s been a centre of London’s theatre world for centuries. We imagined the many actors, writers, and theatre-goers who’ve walked this same street. The mix of old plaques, tucked-away pubs, and modern cafés gave the road a real character as We strolled southwards towards the West End.
3. Leicester Square
Soon enough, we found ourselves stepping into the energy of Leicester Square. The square was alive with colour and noise—street artists at work, children chasing pigeons, and tourists snapping photos by the statues in the gardens. we paused for a moment to take it all in, looking at the huge cinemas lining the square, where London’s film premieres are often held. It felt like the true heart of entertainment in the city. (I had no idea what I had in store for me in the afternoon!)
4. Along to Piccadilly Circus
From Leicester Square, We carried on along Coventry Street until we reached Piccadilly Circus. The shift was almost electric—the giant billboards above us, traffic starting to weave around the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, and people flowing in every direction. It was noisy, bustling, and dazzling all at once, the London that most people imagine when they think of the city.
5. Down Piccadilly towards Green Park
Leaving the rush of the Circus behind, I turned onto Piccadilly. The wide road stretched westwards, lined with famous names: the elegant Burlington Arcade, the Royal Academy of Arts, and soon enough, the grand frontage of The Ritz Hotel. On my left, I began to catch glimpses of greenery through the railings of Green Park, and the air felt fresher after the built-up streets of the West End. The contrast between the luxury of Piccadilly’s clubs and shops and the calm of the park made this stretch one of my favourites.
6. Hyde Park Corner and the Old St. George’s Hospital
Eventually, I reached Hyde Park Corner, with the Wellington Arch towering proudly over the traffic. Just beyond, the wide green expanse of Hyde Park opened up, inviting walkers, joggers, and cyclists to spread out away from the city’s noise. On the south side of the corner stood the site of the old St. George’s Hospital, which for over two centuries was one of London’s key teaching hospitals before moving to Tooting. Standing there, I thought about the many people who would have passed through its doors, and how much history this spot had seen.
I ended my walk with a moment to pause by the arch, watching the flow of London life around me—some people heading into the calm of the park, others rushing towards Knightsbridge, and me, simply glad I’d followed this route through some of the city’s most iconic streets.
