Seeing London’s Top Tourist Attractions In 3 Runs
Come with me to see all of London’s top attractions in just 3 early morning runs. It’s our first time in London, and we got to see London’s most iconic destinations like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace with no crowds, no tour buses, and no cars. From historic bridges to quiet garden paths, these routes made me fall even more in love with London. Each run covers a different side of the city, and together they’re the perfect way to explore the London highlights without missing my marathon training.
Falling In Love with London While Running
It’s our first time in London, and we’ve only booked our flight and accommodation this trip. All I want to do is try some of London’s most unique restaurants, and visit some of London’s best afternoon tea, desserts, and cafes. Since we’re still training for our marathon, Dom and I have been obsessed with exploring a city through running. I know, who runs on vacation?
London’s a massive city, and it’s extremely busy especially on weekends. Lately, an early morning run has been one of my favorite ways to explore. There’s no one’s around, the city’s quiet, and we had all the tourist attractions completely to ourselves! In fact, we’ve managed to visit most of the hottest London spots in only 3 runs.
Westminster & South Bank Loop
This loop winds through Westminster and the South Bank, two of the most iconic zones in central London. We started this run just after sunrise, when the Thames was still and the city hadn’t quite woken up. We ran past Big Ben in the golden morning light, wove through the empty paths by the river, and passed by Buckingham Palace with barely anyone else around. I felt like we had the whole city to ourselves
Blackfriars Bridge
Crossing Blackfriars Bridge, I immediately noticed how the city shifts. To the south, there are glassy buildings and sleek offices, and to the north, you’ve got St. Paul’s and those classic stone architecture. It literally connects modern London to historic London.
The bridge itself dates back to the 1860s, with wide pedestrian paths and views in both directions along the Thames. There’s also a railway bridge running right next to it, which is the only station in London built over the river.
London Eye
The London Eye sits right on the South Bank and is probably one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city. It was actually built for the millennium in 2000, and at the time it was the tallest of its kind in the world.
This giant observation ferris wheel gives visitors a beautiful panoramic view of London. As you’re running toward Westminster, you get a full view of the structure.
Westminster Bridge
Crossing Westminster Bridge felt like running straight into a postcard of London. There’s Big Ben to the right, the London Eye behind us, and the Houses of Parliament just ahead.
It’s one of the oldest road bridges in the city, first opened in the 1860s, and it’s got that classic green ironwork that actually matches the seats inside Parliament. Fom the middle, the Thames opens up in both directions, and for a second it kind of hits you how much history is packed into one spot.
Big Ben Clock Tower
Big Ben sits right at the end of Westminster Bridge, attached to the Houses of Parliament. It’s probably the most recognisable landmark in London. Even though the clock tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, everyone still calls it Big Ben, which is the name of the bell inside.
The clock has been running since 1859, and it’s still known for its timeless chimes and incredible accuracy. You pass directly beneath it, and it’s the point where the route turns off the river and heads into Westminster.
St James Park
St James’s Park is one of London’s oldest royal parks, with wide gravel paths, open lawns, and a lake in the middle. From the park, you can get clear views of both the London Eye and Buckingham Palace from different angles.
The noise of the city fades as we run in, and it becomes quiet, green, and peaceful. There are so many wildlife around the park, like swans, ducks, and a surprising number of pelicans that live on the water.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace sits at the end of The Mall, a long ceremonial road lined with trees and Union Jack flags. It’s the official residence of the British royal family in London, and one of the most recognisable buildings in the country.
As we ran, we passed directly in front of the main gates, where the guards are posted. There’s a clear view of the iconic central balcony, where the King stands during royal events and public appearances.
Queen Victoria Memorial
The Queen Victoria Memorial stands directly in front of Buckingham Palace. Completed in 1911, this grand marble monument has intricate statue of Queen Victoria. In gold, a figure of Victory sits at the top. It is the centerpiece between the palace and the mall.
From here, we wrapped up our loop and jogged back toward the hotel, very ready for the breakfast buffet!
Tower Bridge & Thames Route
This Tower Bridge and Thames Route was Dom and I’s favorite run on this trip. The run giving us a glimpse of the more historic side of London. Flatter and more direct than the Westminster loop, the route gives you uninterrupted views of the Thames River.
Running past the Tower of London and crossing Tower Bridge felt like a total dream come true. Seeing the amazing running community here at 6:00 a.m makes me even more excited about my running journey. Honestly, this run made me even more determined to one day hopefully get selected for the London Marathon myself.
Tower of London
Right at the start of the run, we pass by the Tower of London. This castle is one of those places that really puts the age of the city into perspective. It’s a full medieval fortress, right in the middle of the modern skyline. Its stone walls, turrets, and gates look like they haven’t changed in centuries. Built nearly a thousand years ago, it’s been everything from a royal residence to a prison.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a late-19th-century bascule bridge with twin stone towers and bright blue steel walkways. It was built to lift in the center so tall ships could pass through. In fact, it still opens a few times a day.
Unlike most Thames crossings, it was designed to be both functional and decorative. Running across this majestic bridge gives you a full view of Thames. You get the Tower of London on one side, and the modern skyline on the other.
Big Ben
Big Ben is visible again near the end of the run, this time from across the river. We’re farther away than on the Westminster loop, but from here you can see the full clock tower clearly.
Without anything blocking the view, the clock tower stood clear against the skyline as we ran toward it. Just soaking in the sight of Big Ben during the quiet morning hours felt like such a gift.
London Royal Parks Run
The Royal Parks Loop was the most relaxed run of the trip. This 10-km route takes us through the four central royal parks in London in just over an hour. The route starts at St James’s, past Buckingham Palace, through Hyde Park, and ends with Kensington Gardens. Compared to the other routes, this one felt more quiet and natural, but there’s so many people running this route. The roads were wide, mostly flat, and lined with trees almost the whole way through. This is the run to enjoy quiet green space, with lakes, flower beds, and picnic areas.
St James Park
We’re running by St. James Park for the second time this trip. We pass by the similar views, but it’s still striking. The park’s layout makes it one of the easiest sections to navigate, with wide paths and clear sightlines that connect directly to major landmarks.
With its blooming flower beds, lakeside paths, and postcard-perfect views of the London Eye and Horse Guards Parade, it’s a gentle start to the run. Even early in the morning, the park has a quiet elegance that never feels empty, just peaceful.
Buckingham Palace
You barely have to run a few minutes before Buckingham Palace shows up. In the early morning, it’s completely quiet. No crowds, no Changing of the Guard.
As we run by, we’re taking stops to observe the gates, the flags, and the clean symmetry of the buildings. It’s wild to think that we’re actually running by the residences of the royal family.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park was once Henry VIII’s hunting grounds. The park offers a wide, open contrast to the formal layout of St James’s and Buckingham Palace Gardens. It’s more ideal for runners who want space, shade, and a bit of wildness in the heart of the city.
The Serpentine
Commissioned by Queen Caroline in 1730, the Serpentine is a beautiful artificial lake. It curves through Hyde Park with a natural flow of calm water filled with swans and boats. This route is a scenic, breezy break before entering Kensington Gardens.
Kensington Gardens & Palace
Leaving the wild sprawl of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens feels more sculpted, with stately paths, elegant lawns, and a quiet sense of order.
Once part of Hyde Park, this space became its own royal garden in 1728 and now houses Kensington Palace, the childhood home of Queen Victoria. The shaded paths led us past ornate statues and fountains, offering a composed, regal end to the run.
