When Wren Ride

All Bikes | 26miles/42 km

Ride London through the legacy of Sir Christopher Wren, whose buildings helped shape the city after the Great Fire. This easy self-guided route links parks, riverside paths and historic streets while passing several of Wren’s remarkable churches and the magnificent dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Beginning beside the Long Water at Hampton Court Palace, the route rolls through Richmond Park, follows the Thames into Chelsea for coffee, and then threads through the energy of central London.

From The Mall and the Strand to Fleet Street, riders pass St Clement Danes Church and continue to the great dome of St Paul’s, Wren’s most famous masterpiece.

The ride finishes through the cobbled lanes of the City, the modern skyline of Canary Wharf, and on to Greenwich, where the Thames, maritime history and a well-earned cream tea await.

The GPX download includes a rider guide highlighting notable landmarks and several of Wren’s architectural masterpieces along the route.

Recommended by the London Cycling Campaign as a Summer must-do ride. 

Description

Here’s a great day on your bike visiting Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpieces in London.

Our ride starts at Hampton Court, a royal palace that is most famous for its Tudor architecture and connections with Henry VIII. Less well known is the baroque palace, designed by our hero, and built for William and Mary in 1689. Err, you’re not going to be able to avoid history on this ride, sorry!

Hampton Court is surrounded by parkland, creating a lovely way to ride to Kingston, en route there’s a stop at the end of the Long Water for one of the best vistas of the palace. Ride on through busy Kingston using the excellent network of bike paths and quiet roads into Richmond Park. Join the Tamsin Trail around the park to Roehampton Gate, before crossing Barnes Common and reaching the Thames again at Putney.

Your first view of Chelsea Hospital, home of the famous red-coated Chelsea Pensioner is from the river and it's worth a stop before riding along to the ‘front entrance’.

Back on your bike, past Buckingham Palace (nothing to do with Wren) cross Trafalgar Square and follow London's ancient route along the Strand to the newly pedestrianised Aldwych. Drop into St Brides before heading down Fleet St, and check out the proud old head offices of the national press, it's hard to believe that newspapers were printed in these buildings! 

Cross the Fleet River climb Ludgate and approach the magnificent west façade of St Paul's Cathedral.

With virtually empty roads and loads to discover, riding through the City of London on a Sunday is a cyclist’s dream and no Wren ride worth its salt would miss the Monument, the fantastic monument topped with blazing gilded ball fire, designed by Wren and Hooke, serves not only to mark the site of the inept baker who started the fire of London, but also serves as a static telescope- I assume that was Hooke's part of the design!  

Leaving the confines of the City, the route becomes more Dickensian, following cycle paths around St Katherine’s Dock, with great views of Tower Bridge and along the cobbled streets of Wapping High St heading east to join the Thames at Canary Wharf.

At the southerly tip of the Isle of Dogs, please don’t rush to the Greenwich foot tunnel, rather ride on through Island Gardens for the best view of the Old Royal Naval Hospital with its colonnades framing the Queen's House.

Then walk through the foot tunnel, and exit right in front of the past Cutty Sark. You may be desperate for that cup of tea, but it's worth walking your bike along the river for the second-best views of the Old Royal Naval College.  

After tea take a moment to explore this wonderful building, apart from the colonnades framing Queens House, there’s the Painted Hall, a skittle alley or find the patriotic courtyard!

Ride Details.

• 26 miles/42 km 
• 760 ft | 230 m climb 
• 40% off-road on well-maintained paths 
• Easy Ride suitable for all types of bikes 

Is this ride for me? 

It's a fairly flat route on quiet roads and cycle paths suitable for all competent riders who can cycle for 2 hours comfortably.

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

The route is suitable for most bikes, off-road, hybrids, Brompton's and all e-Bikes.