Manchester walk

Manchester Central Library and theatre in St Peter's Square. Photograph: Alamy

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Distance

2.4 miles/3.9 km

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Typical duration

1 hour

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Start and finish

St Peter's Square

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Start postcode

M2 5PD

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In a nutshell

This circular walk treats you to some of the highlights of Manchester city centre, including a historic Roman fort. From St Peter's Square, you'll head along the Rochdale Canal to Castlefield, before looping back to the start.

Why it's special

The mix of history, scenery and canalside walking make this a wonderfully enjoyable route, with lots to see. Rochdale Canal isn't far from St Peter's Square and following the towpath you'll pass Oxford Street lock and Tib lock, before you reach Duke's lock. It was named after Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater, who paid for its construction.

The route crosses the pretty Bridgewater canal basin before climbing to the Roman fort, Mamucium. Built around AD78, it once guarded the road between the fortress of Deva Victrix, which later evolved into Chester, and Eboracum, now York.

Passing the Museum of Science and Industry, which occupies the site of the former Liverpool Road train station, you'll head through the scenic St John's Gardens. On St John Street you can see the only surviving Georgian terrace in central Manchester.

The final leg of the walk takes you past Manchester Central convention centre and Bridgewater Hall, a concert venue built on 300 giant steel springs to protect the acoustics.

Reward yourself

You're spoilt for choice for places to eat and drink along this route. Why not try The Ox Noble at Potato Wharf, a gastropub with rooms (theox.co.uk).

Get there

St Peter's Square is on the Manchester Metrolink network (metrolink.co.uk). National rail and coach services run from nearby Piccadilly station and Chorlton Street respectively.

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For step-by-step details and maps go to ramblers.org.uk/manchestercity

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Pimlico walk

Walkers pass Tate Britain on Millbank. Photograph: Alamy

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Distance

2.2 miles/3.6 km

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Typical duration

1 hour

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Start and finish

Vauxhall underground station

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Start postcode

SW8 2LR

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In a nutshell

This charming, short circular walk introduces you to parts of London that are often overlooked but well worth exploring. You'll walk through garden squares and secluded parks, as well as along quiet sections of the Thames, where you can enjoy the river without the crowds. The highlight is Tate Britain, which is free to enter and has a vast collection of art dating from the 1500s.

Why it's special

This walk is great for those who want to see a side of London away from the hustle and bustle and tourist hotspots – with some art thrown in. You'll cross Vauxhall bridge, opened in 1816, flanked by two bronze figures representing the arts and the sciences. Look back for great views of MI6's imposing headquarters – which has featured in several James Bond films. This is also where Duck Tours begin. Originally used during the second world war, these amphibious landing craft now carry tourists along the river then drive out on to the road past the city's most famous sights.

Once over the bridge you'll walk south along the river, through Pimlico gardens and past a sculpture by Andre Wallace, the Helmsman.

You'll stroll through St George's Square and past St Saviour's church, and can take a peek inside through its glass doors. On the opposite side of the road you can see a cabman's shelter, dating from 1874 – it's one of 13 around the capital, where licenced taxi drivers can stop for a rest and refreshment. The route leads to Millbank conservation area (one of the few places to still have traditional red telephone boxes), wherein you'll pass Millbank Gardens and Tate Britain, home to the national collection of British art. There are often exhibits displayed outdoors in the gardens.

Allow time to explore before heading south along the river and back to Vauxhall Cross.

Reward yourself

Stop at Tate Britain's Djanogly Café for sandwiches, snacks and coffee or, for a more formal meal, the gallery's Rex Whistler restaurant, which has mural-covered walls and a famous wine cellar (tate.org.uk).

Get there

Vauxhall underground station is served by the Victoria line, and national rail services from the south east and London Waterloo run to the mainline station. There is also a busy bus station connecting many routes. Visit tfl.gov.uk for more information.

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For step-by-step details and maps go to ramblers.org.uk/pimlico

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London Parks walk

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Distance

7.8 miles/12.6 km

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Typical duration

4 hours

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Start and finish

YHA London Central

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Start postcode

W1W 5NU

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In a nutshell

This circular walk through the heart of the capital takes in impressive architecture, including Buckingham Palace, meandering along roads name-checked on the Monopoly board and past Britain's most famous shops, often with fascinating histories. It includes four of London's eight royal parks, which create an almost unbroken stretch of parkland greening the urban landscape. It's the perfect walk to sample the heart of the capital and its contrasts.

Why it's special

This route combines a good, long walk with shops, parkland and history. You'll pass some of Britain's best-known retailers, including Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty, and also wander through the elegant Burlington Arcade and buzzing Carnaby Street, just off the country's busiest retail hub, Oxford Street. There are too many landmarks to name them all, but highlights include Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, Selfridges (the largest store on Oxford Street), Harrods (which boasted England's first escalator in 1898), and the Queen's favourite, Fortnum & Mason, which claims to have invented the scotch egg (walk past at the right moment and you'll see models of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason on the clock above the entrance bowing to each other).

In contrast to the busy streets and shopping opportunities, you'll also walk through the vast green spaces of the 350-acre Hyde Park (created as a hunting ground for Henry VIII in 1536; today it has 4,000 trees and a boating lake), Kensington Gardens immediately to the west, Green Park and St James's Park. You'll see Buckingham Palace (if the Royal Standard is flying, the Queen is in), then cross the Mall, pass the Royal Academy, wander along Piccadilly and wind your way through the streets back to the start. If you want to shorten the walk you can miss out Kensington Gardens.

Reward yourself

Being central London, you are completely spoilt for choice but the Lido Bar and Cafe in Hyde Park, next to the Serpentine lake and near the Diana memorial, is a lovely place for a bite to eat or a drink (royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park/food-and-drink/lido-bar-and-cafe).

Get there

The starting point is close to underground stations, including Great Portland Street and Oxford Circus, and there are several others along the route, as well as many bus routes. For more information, visit tfl.gov.uk.

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For step-by-step details and maps go to ramblers.org.uk/londoncentralparks

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