This walk was created with commuters in mind, so they might avoid using public transport between Liverpool Street Station and Waterloo Station during the London 2012 Games. It is a pleasant and interesting walk and can equally be used by members of the public who wish to discover something new in these popular areas of the city.
Route Developers: Department for Transport Staff Route Checker: Jennifer Sage
[1] Come out of Liverpool Street station at exit 4 (through the Octagon Arcade towards Old Broadgate). There is a ramp to the left of the exit if required and a local map for orientation. To the right stands the arena which contains an ice rink during the winter months. Turn left onto Blomfield Street. Continue to the end of Blomfield Street, cross the road (London Wall) and turn right.
(A)London Wall lies along part of the site of the Roman defensive wall that ran around Londinium and later marked the boundary of the City of London.
[2] Turn left into Throgmorton Avenue and continue to the end of the street using the pedestrian access at the lower end of the street rather than following the access road that turns right into Copthall Avenue.
At the end of Throgmorton Avenue stands Le Relaise de Venise, a Parisian style restaurant that serves just one dish - steak frites.
Turn right into Throgmorton Street, then left into Bartholomew Lane. The large building on your right is the Bank of England. The entrance to the BoE museum is situated on this street. At the end of the street, turn right onto Threadneedle Street.
(B)On the opposite side of the road is the Royal Exchange - a luxury shopping centre containing designer brands, and housing 'Smokers Paradise', a specialist tobacconist and humidor.
Threadneedle Street marks the mid-point of the Marathon route for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Head straight on to the end of Threadneedle Street where Bank Station is located. Continue in the same direction crossing Prince's Street and Poultry to progress along Queen Victoria Street. As you cross the busy junction you will see the Mansion House on the left.
(C)Mansion House was built in the 18th Century to provide a permanent residence for the Lord Mayor of London. The building was designed by George Dance the Elder.
[3] At the next junction, cross Queen Street and turn right into Watling Street. You will now have a view of St Paul's Cathedral at the end of the street. Continue to the end of Watling Street.
You'll pass Ye Olde Watling on the left, a welcoming Nicholson's pub serving a good range of well kept cask ales and food. Opposite the end of Watling street, there are public toilets on the other side of the road (including disabled facilities).
Turn left onto New Change then cross the main road (Cannon Street) and turn right. Walk straight on for a short distance then take the first turning left into Carter Lane. Shortly this will intersect with Peter's Hill. Turn left into Peter's Hill and follow it, crossing Queen Victoria Street and onto the Millennium Bridge.
[4] At the other side turn left as you come down the ramp (upstream) passing in front of the Tate Modern. If you turn right (downstream) you can see Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Follow the riverside path (Jubilee Walk Way) towards Waterloo station. You will soon pass the Founders Arms (2.3 km) which has outdoor seating for warmer days, then under Blackfriar's Bridge, past Doggets pub where the path becomes known as the Queens Walk Way. This short part of the path is closed until October 2012 as a new Blackfriars station is under construction.
A detour back to the river on the west side of Blackfriars Bridge.
To join the Queens Walk Way on the other side of Blackfriars Bridge you will need to turn left at the Founders Arms and walk away from the river, between the apartment blocks, then to the right of the building ahead of you to Hopton Street. Continue along to the end to where it meets Southwark Street. Turn right here and walk under the railway bridge until you reach the pedestrian crossing at Blackfriars Bridge Road. Use this to cross over Blackfriars Bridge Road to Stamford Street. Continue along and turn right at Rennie Street. Walk along to the end where it meets Upper Ground and turn left and almost immediately right where you will see the river ahead. Turn left here and continue along the river bank towards Waterloo.
[5] On the walk you will pass Sea Container House, The Oxo Tower (restaurants, bars, galleries, designer shops and offices), Gabriel's Wharf (bars and restaurants), The National Theatre, the British Film Institute (under Waterloo Bridge), the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall. These are all part of what is known as the South Bank Centre.
[6] As you approach the Royal Festival Hall on your left with Hungerford Bridge straight ahead turn left and walk away from the river down the side of the Royal Festival Hall which is now on your right. Cross Belvedere Road and turn right. Turn left on to Concert Hall Approach and walk under the archway to York Road and a pedestrian crossing. Cross here and ahead is Waterloo Station.