From London to Anywhere: The National Cycle Network
As the lifeblood of active travel in the UK, the National Cycle Network (NCN) has been encouraging sustainable movement across the country for decades.
The first NCN route was built in 1979 on a former railway line to Bath and, since then, the network has grown to host an enchanting web of trails stretching over 12,000 miles across the UK. The NCN’s paths and routes are designated specifically for walking, wheeling, cycling, and exploring the outdoors. Envisioning a society where travel creates healthier and happier places for everyone, the network’s overseeing charity, Sustrans, is constantly working towards nurturing a safe space for cyclists and walk-lovers alike.
So, it’s time to get on our bikes or put the walking shoes on – there surely is a route near you, and the opportunities for exploration are endless!
Exploring London on the National Cycle Network
The NCN is a great way to discover London or wind down, cycling through familiar places. The network has something to offer for everyone, taking you on a journey through history, across nature or around the city’s famous landmarks. Here are some routes we think you might enjoy:
A royal bike ride: The Thames Path: Hampton Court to Putney Route
Looking for a route that takes you on a journey through London’s history and Royal Parks? Starting near Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, this route takes you around the royal Bushy Park where you can explore a wealth of wildlife, tranquil lakes and woodland gardens. Next, you’re bound to cross Kingston and find yourself in Richmond Park where you can spot the roaming deer and listen to the song of the park’s ring-necked parakeets. You could make a short stop in Richmond town, exploring the small shops and cafés, and enjoying the scenic view at Richmond Hill. You can securely park your bike with Hudjo at the Richmond Station Cycle Centre for a worry-free walk. Then, cycling through Barnes and near the London Wetland Centre, you will quickly reach the Thames Path and the Putney Embankment. Stretching across southwest London’s royal highlights, this 12-mile route is a lovely opportunity to cycle through nature while being a stone’s throw away from the city centre.
An adventure through London’s marshes: The Rainham to Purfleet Route
Journeying all the way to the East, we’re taking on this short, traffic-free route across what the NCN describes as an “unexpected corner of London”. Cycling through London’s largest area of marshland, you will have the chance to explore Rainham Hall, spot London’s only lighthouse, and enjoy sweeping views of the Thames. This trail is part of the NCN route 14 which continues towards Tilbury on the east and Tower Bridge on the west, so you have the choice to continue if a 3.6-mile cycle is not nearly enough.
Cycling in-between London’s landmarks: The Thames Path: Greenwich to Tower Bridge and Putney Route
Taking on this 5-mile route could either turn into a half-hour sight-seeing bike-ride through the city or an entire day out on the weekend. Starting at the heart of Greenwich, this route allows you to explore the area’s maritime history via the historic sailing ship Cutty Sark and the Royal Naval College. Then, cycling through the peace and quiet of the Rotherhithe peninsula, you will find yourself at the Thame’s Southbank which offers astonishing views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the Globe Theatre and St Paul’s Cathedral. You could consider making a stop at Borough Market or Tate Modern, but if you were to carry on, you would soon see the iconic Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, as well as Tate Britain and Battersea Power Station. The route offers thrilling entertainment opportunities along the way, and if you decide to make a stop, you can always park your bike safely with us at Hudjo. Some of our nearby locations include the electric bike shop Fully Charged and the Hop King Brewery.
Naturally, the National Cycle Network does not end here. If you are curious to explore areas nearby London, the network offers you a great variety of routes, around St Albans, through Windsor, across Canterbury, and beyond. Be sure to check the accessibility notes on the NCN’s website before you start your adventure.
For our communities and the surrounding wildlife
If you were to become one of the network’s 4 million yearly users, you would find yourself benefiting from an array of positive impacts. The existence of the network brings about better public health and wellbeing, connecting communities and nurturing local wildlife across the UK.
Community involvement is at the heart of the NCN. The network hosts a multitude of initiatives such as women’s cycling and walking groups, accessible cycling, walks for men’s mental health, and projects which aim to support young people in building the skills needed for safe active travel. Such initiatives build on the countless health benefits of cycling and walking by introducing an element of social connection to venturing outdoors.
In addition, the network brings about equally significant positive impact on local biodiversity and habitats. With 4,000 miles of traffic-free paths, the NCN’s state and expansion have a powerful impact on wildlife. With habitat fragmentation being a strong concern for biodiversity in the UK, Sustrans has committed to making space for nature and providing safe routes for human communities and wildlife species all the same. The charity has partnered with conservation organisations to survey natural environments, examine the role of traffic-free routes in reducing habitat fragmentation and create habitats around the network. You can get involved in these biodiversity preservation efforts by becoming one of Sustrans’ 3,000 volunteers or by recording wildlife as you cycle along the NCN’s numerous nature routes.
Although it must be acknowledged that some of the network’s routes require urgent improvement and investment, Sustrans has been continuously working to enhance the NCN’s quality and accessibility by constructing traffic-free routes, improving existing trails, and removing barriers along the network. Creating safer and more accessible spaces for local communities and biodiversity, the improved routes become as popular as ever, hosting even more journeys and supporting an even better outlook for active travel in the UK.
More about Hudjo
Hudjo is an Airbnb-style platform that offers a network of trusted locations around London where you can park your bike safely and securely, eliminating the risk of theft.
We encourage cycling and active travel across the city by providing you with a worry-free opportunity for bike parking within the spare spaces of small businesses such as cafes, bars, shops, and offices.
