Walking in London
Was wondering if someone could give me a hand. Am arriving in London at about 9am and was thinking of going to the Covent Garden market in the morning and then heading to the Royal Theatre in the afternoon for the matinee. From Russell Square (which is where my hotel is), is it possible to walk to the market and then to the theatre?I have searched on Google maps and it seems only a short distance between all three places? Would this be correct?
1
Definitely you can walk between those places. The distances are not great (it's a little over 1 km from Russell Square to Covent Garden) and London is a good city for walking. It's best to have a street map with you though.3
For walking, www.walkit.com is more user friendly than Google maps, as it includes pedestrian only cut throughs / short cuts. And, like many other UK natives, I virtually never go out without a waterproof coat, either worn or in my bag. Not umbrellas - horrible things carried by other people, that nearly poke my eyes out when I'm walking / cycling.5
Walk straight down Southampton Row (stay on the right, or Oxford St, side), over the road at the lights (Bloomsbury Way/Theobalds Road) and into Kingsway. Walk straight ahead towards Holborn tube station, then two streets on the right past the big intersection at High Holborn (Long Acre), turn right and just keep walking. When you get to Covent Garden tube turn left. The markets are straight ahead of you. I always stay at the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square (will be there again in 3 weeks) and from there it takes approximately 15 minutes on foot to Covent Garden markets.7
Very walkable. Meet Walkit which gives you distances and good time estimates (for a range of speeds)10
Walking is the best way to see London - and don't just watch your feet. Pause from time to time and look up, see the wonderful buildings etc above shop-front level.
