Trail Running in London, Really??!

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

John Bingham

Finally Travel is becoming more accessible, well, local travel anyway! Last week I wrote about where to stay in London relative to what it is you want out of your trip to the capital. As well as all the sights and places that are great to go and see, London is also a great place for runners, even those of you out there, like me, that love trail running!

Beyond the concrete jungle, London has some fabulous Green Spaces, helping it to become the world’s first National Park City in July 2019. When I first arrived here in noughties as an Irish girl who had grown up surrounded by countryside, I found a city with much more to offer than just high-rise buildings, and what’s more the greater London and South East area have some fantastic spots where you can dig out your trail shoes and get your green space fix. Here are some of my absolute favourite city trails.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is an area of ancient heathland covering approximately 790 acres and comprising of one of the highest points in London. Is it also home to the London Cross Country Championships. The hills are great and the views over the city (which is a protected view) is incredible- especially from Parliament Hill. You can opt to run larger circuits of the heath taking in a combination of open heathland and woodland or navigate a smaller loop around Parliament Hill. In winter it can get pretty muddy but for me that just adds to the adventure! Parliament Hill can be accessed via London Overground, The Northern Line and Thameslink.

Epping Forest

Epping Forest is a 5,900-acre area of ancient woodland and dedicated Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as featuring a Special Area of Conservation. It was the location of my first trail race and one of my favourite places to visit in London – especially on chilly autumn weekends when the leaves are just on the turn. Epping Forest actually straddles the boundary between Essex and Greater London but is easily accessible via the Central Line, London Overground and Transport for London rail. If you’re driving, there’s loads of free car parks dotted around the surrounding area. You can follow wide gravel paths or opt for more rugged trails intersecting Forest and Ponds – I’ve been here a few times now and still don’t feel like I have scratched the surface, it’s a huge open space. Finish your run at the Butler’s retreat where you can enjoy a delicious post run feast – well you’ve earned it right!

Richmond Park

Easily accessible from Central London is Richmond Park, the largest of the Royal Parks covering approximately 2,500 acres. Richmond is a haven for runners, walkers and cyclists – with a road loop used by cyclists and a variety of trails for runners and walkers. There are also some small hills to get your teeth into and some fantastic views over central London. You can opt to follow the perimeter path otherwise known as the Tamsin Trail, which is just short of 12km, or venture into the interior of the park, navigating your way through some more off-road trails cutting between ferns, forest and ponds. Be sure to stick to already marked paths though as Richmond, is an area with protected status as an important habitat for wildlife. It’s also a National Nature Reserve, London’s largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation. Car parking is free in the park and there are a variety of café’s dotted around which always prove popular with cyclists and runners alike, looking for a bit more fuel!

Beckenham Place Park

Beckenham Place Park is the largest greenspace within the borough of Lewisham providing 237 acres of grassland, forest and a gorgeous Mansion House. You can run a mixture of gravelly footpaths and some grassy trails, and whilst perhaps not as wild as Richmond or Hampstead Heath it certainly is a pleasant green space within South London. The Park is home to Beckenham Place parkrun and there is also a beautiful swimming lake.

Trent Country Park

Located in North London at the end of the Piccadilly Line, Trent Country Park is comprised of 413 acres of meadows and ancient woodlands. I first came here for the Bear Grylls Survival Obstacle Course Race and was amazed by how much wild open space was so close to the tube station! It is home to Trent Park Running Club and also hosts cross country events during the winter months. If you’re feeling brave Go Ape Cockfosters is also based here, and from what I’ve heard there is also a lovely equestrian centre if you want to swap two legs for four.

And finally, on my own doorstep

Greenwich Park

The oldest of the Royal Parks, Greenwich Park is home to the Greenwich Meridian, making it the theoretical beginning and end of the world and also the home of time. So, in a roundabout way, runners owe a lot to Greenwich for providing us with a constant measure from which to gauge all our performances! Greenwich Park has another unforgiving measure in store for runners it has hills! The northern section of Greenwich Park is flat with a pond and several open fields. Moving south it quickly rises up to three hills side-by-side, each with great views of the city. The centre hill is home to the Royal Observatory and meridian line, but each of the peaks is worth a look and perfect for a post-run picnic on the grass.

What’s on this week?