Princess Diana memorial walk - seven miles: Part one

Following her death in August 1997 it was decided to commemorate various aspects of Princess Diana's life by launching a memorial walk. The walk was completed in 2000 but it was several years later before the controversial fountain' was constructed.

The seven-mile figure of eight walk meanders through four Royal parks takes in some of the most famous sites and monuments of London.

I reckon that the walk is a must for anyone who wants to impress visitors to the capitol or who just wants to feel good about what our country can offer when it puts its mind to it.

I have divided the walk into two sections. If you want to do the whole walk in one go save this page or get a leaflet (see the information box).

We start by walking through Horse Guards Parade and pick up the trail in St James's Park. The route is indicated by 90 circular plaques with an arrows attached and set in the ground.

We end up at Lancaster Gate Tube and will start from here on the second part.

1. Start

On leaving Charing Cross Tube Station go right through the gates and follow the signs to the Trafalgar Square (exit 6). Walk towards the dome of the National Gallery ahead. Continue across the road until you are level with the main entrance to the National Gallery, turn left down the steps and walk to the right of Nelson's Column.

Use pedestrian crossings to cross roads and walk down the right-hand side of Whitehall.

About halfway down, turn right between the mounted guards and continue through the arch to cross Horse Guards Parade where the Queen holds her annual inspection of troops at the Trooping of the Colour.

Continue forward, crossing the road to the left of the war memorial, to enter St James' Park. Fork left at the cafe and continue with a lake on your left.

Ignore a bridge on the left and continue towards Buckingham Palace and the gilt-covered Victoria Memorial. (You should by now have started to notice the large plaques on the ground which mark out the route.)

At the end of the lake go left up to the main road and swing right with the walkway to reach a light-controlled pedestrian crossing. Cross, and on the other side, go right through a gilded gate and immediately turn left to another pedestrian crossing after which you turn right to walk along the front of Buckingham Palace.

2. 1.1 miles/1.7km

At the end of the Palace cross the road and the horse track turning left to follow a path up Constitution Hill. (Looking over to left you can appreciate how large the Palace actually is and how extensive the gardens must be).

After passing the new (2001) Memorial Gates at the top of the Hill, cross to a traffic island and then cross to, and go through, the Wellington Arch.

At the war memorial go right and cross Knightsbridge to go to right of Hyde Park underground station to enter Hyde Park. Once inside the Park turn left to walk alongside the horse track (Rotten Row).

Now go right into the Rose Garden following markers which take you downhill to an area called the Dell. The path then curves right up to a lakeside restaurant.

3. 1.8 miles/2.9km

Turn left and later swing right along the edge of the lake (the Serpentine) and walk forward toward a bridge about mile ahead.

Just after passing another cafe you come to the entrance of the Diana Memorial Fountain which you must walk around.

On leaving, immediately fork left and walk up to and across the road to enter another park (Kensington Gardens) and immediately turn left. Go ahead, passing the Serpentine Gallery over on your right (whenever you do this walk there will always be some unusual sculpture on display in the area).

After passing toilets go left and then right along the back of the Albert Memorial (with the Albert Hall over to the left).

On the far side continue with railings on the right. Continue with these railings until you reach a point when you are walking close and parallel to the road.

Just past another group of lavatories and at a major junction go right on a very wide surfaced path, aptly called The Broadwalk.

4. 3miles/4.8km

Walk up this popular promenading area past Kensington Palace on the left and the Round Pond on the right.

Just before you reach the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground turn right and follow the waymarker discs to go left of a statue called Physical Energy' and then right down towards another lake (The Long Water).

At the bottom turn left to walk past Peter Pan's statue, past the Italian Water Gardens (which featured in a fight towards the end of a Bridget Jones film) and out into Bayswater Road where you will see Lancaster Gate Tube Station over to your right.

Factfile

Starting Point/Parking: Charing Cross Underground Station (Bakerloo & Northern Lines)

Distance: 3.8 miles/6.1km

Time: Two to three hours

Terrain: excellent dry paths

Suitability for Dogs: good although they will have to be kept on tight leads at crossing places

Refreshments: there are six cafes or restaurants along the route

Public Toilets: there are 8 public toilets along the route

Public Transport: The walk starts and finishes at Underground Stations: Charing Cross and Lancaster Gate (Central Line)

Map: You might find a London A to Z useful. The London Royal Parks Office produce an excellent free leaflet with a map of the whole walk: 020 7298 2000

More Information:If you would like to support the work of the Ramblers Association you can join a number of local groups. All also offer a regular programme of walks with leaders which you can obtain free of charge.

West Essex Group operates four walks of varying distances every week (020 8529 6265). The Redbridge Group has fewer but more adventurous walks, it also coordinates car lifts to the starting points (020 8504 5267).

Click here to download the map