News
Ramblers in London get up to lots of activities. Check out the individual groups' sites to see what they are up to.
You can see some of what we're up to on Twitter on the side of this page and the articles, below give a bit more detail about what's been going on or is planned in Inner London Area.
We're pleased to share the 2025-26 Annual Report for our Capital Ring, London Loop, Green Chain Walk and Green Link Walk project - which was launched at our annual project volunteers meeting at the end of May. Take a look to see what our volunteer group has achieved together to improve the routes during the last year.
Once again these year we've been able to make a lot of improvements on the routes, making them easier and more enjoyable for everyone to walk.
Waymarking is in good order on the Capital Ring . Although problems remain, these require attention from local councils to resolve as they require specialist equipment and expertise - and potentially some budget - and we are in contact with Councils to try and get these fixed. Since the report was published we are delighted to announce the replacement of the Clissold Park signage, which was removed when improvements were made to the park, but never reinstated. Our persistence over the last five years, and the fact that Ramblers Inner London Area was, on this occasion, able to support financially, means we got there in the end.
During the last year, volunteers, working with landowners and managers, have been able to replace quite a number of missing waymark posts on the London Loop, and we're grateful to the London LDWA group and South Bank Ramblers, as well as Inner London Ramblers for support with funding. We've also been able to add vinyl overlays to faded signs, including in Kingston, where we're grateful to Kingston Ramblers for their support. Flooding and fallen trees continue to cause issues in the winter months, but reporting the trees often results in swift removal. 41 stiles remain on the London Loop - some of which are high and in disrepair - and a key focus for us over the coming year(s) will be how we can get these replaced with more accessible gates, and who we need to work with to achivieve this.
A survey of the Green Chain Walk - which will be 50 years old in 2027 - has recently been completed and, whilst signage is good overall, many defects require attention. We continue to campaign for the "missing" Section 12 to be waymarked. Almost all of the Green Chain is walkable in summer and winter, excepting a small part of Section 3 which is always muddy.
The Green Link Walk is only two years old and remains well waymarked for the time being.
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This year marks a special milestone for one of Britain’s most cherished walking routes, the Thames Path National Trail, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary in memorable style.
To honour the occasion, a unique relay walk will trace the full length of the trail - beginning at its tranquil source in the Cotswolds on 5 June 2026 and culminating at the historic riverside of Woolwich on 28 June 2026.
More than just a celebration, the Thames Path Relay is part of a wider movement. Delivered in collaboration with Mayors for Drinkable Thames, the event supports the growing Drinkable Rivers campaign, which champions cleaner, healthier waterways for communities and wildlife alike.
Along the 185-mile route, Ramblers groups are stepping up to mark the anniversary in their own way - hosting an expanded programme of guided walks and, in many cases, taking part in the relay itself. From rural stretches to iconic urban riverside scenes, walkers will carry the baton through a rich tapestry of landscapes and history.
In London, three groups from the Inner London Area, Capital Walkers, South Bank Ramblers and West London Ramblers, are joining the relay effort. Capital Walkers is working in partnership with the Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea, to lead a particularly scenic section on Thursday 25 June, 2026. Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea is a partnership based on a 100-year visioning document to guide change along the river from Kew Bridge to Battersea Power Station and shape how the river, local authorities, and communities plan for the future. Their walk follows the river from leafy Kew to the striking riverside landmark of Battersea Power Station—a stretch that perfectly captures the blend of heritage, nature and modern London that defines the Thames Path experience. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-kew-battersea-power-station
Building on the momentum of the relay, Capital Walkers will also lead the next leg of the journey on Friday 26 June, 2026 - this time as a memorable evening walk. Setting out from the iconic Battersea Power Station, the route follows the Thames through the heart of the capital, finishing at the elegant Millennium Bridge. As daylight softens into dusk, this stretch offers a striking perspective on London’s riverside -where historic landmarks and modern architecture are reflected in the water, and the city takes on a different rhythm. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-battersea-power-station-millennium
Continuing the relay through the capital, South Bank Ramblers will guide walkers along the next stretch on Saturday 27 June, 2026. This section begins at the striking Millennium Bridge and follows the Thames eastwards to the historic Cutty Sark at Greenwich. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-millenium-bridge-cutty-sark-linear
Bringing the relay to a fitting conclusion, West London Ramblers will lead the final stage on Sunday 28 June, 2026. Setting out from the historic Cutty Sark, the route follows the Thames east to the Trail's finishing point at Woolwich. This closing stretch captures the changing character of the river as it widens towards the estuary, passing through areas rich in maritime history and ongoing regeneration. It’s a powerful finale to the relay - not only the journey along the Thames Path, but the communities and landscapes that define it. Full details of the walk can be found on the Ramblers walk programme as follows: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/thames-path-30th-anniversary-relay-walk-cutty-sark-woolwich
It is entirely fitting that West London Ramblers lead the final section of the relay. The group shares a deep and enduring connection with David Sharp, widely regarded as the founding father of the Thames Path National Trail. As part of the West London Group and later Richmond Ramblers, he was instrumental in transforming an ambitious vision into one of the country’s most treasured long-distance routes. The origins of the Thames Path can be traced back to 1973, when, at a public meeting in Windsor organised by the River Thames Society, David sketched out a possible riverside route - an idea that would grow into the trail we know today. He went on to mobilise Ramblers groups to survey the river, identifying missing links and proposing practical solutions, from new footpaths to much-needed footbridges. Within just 18 months, their work had evolved into a compelling campaign, demonstrating that a continuous path along the Thames was not only desirable, but achievable. David represented The Ramblers at the official opening of the Thames Path on 24 July 1996 at the Thames Barrier - the eastern end of the trail - until 2022 when it was extended to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel, where it now connects with the King Charles III England Coast Path.
As the relay reaches its final stage, it celebrates not only 30 years of the Thames Path, but also the vision, persistence and collaboration that brought it into being—an enduring legacy shaped by people like David Sharp.
For walkers and river-lovers alike, this anniversary relay offers a rare opportunity to be part of a shared journey—celebrating not just a trail, but the enduring life of the River Thames itself.
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The Thames Path National Trail was created thirty years ago this year by The Ramblers and The Thames Society - the Ramblers side largely driven by incredible Surrey Ramblers volunteer and, later, Ramblers Vice President, David Sharp, who was also instrumental in the London Loop. David wrote the books for both routes. David lobbied for completion and recognition of The Thames Path, walking what was possble and writing a key report with handdrawn maps on the towpath and its gaps - which was then used to write the feasibility study.
This year, to celebrate the 30th anniversary, the National Trail is suggesting 30 ways to explore The Thames Path with their "30 for 30 Challenge", including:
- Walk 30 miles of the Thames Path, breaking the trail into monthly sections to enjoy the walk and visit local attractions
- Capture 30 photo moments: wildflowers, bridges, historic plaques, wildlife, churches and share them via social media
- Listen for bird song and see if you can spot 30 different species.
- Trace 30 quirky tales: uncover hidden ferries, scenic detours, 'murder mystery' locations!
- Choose your favourite section of the Thames Path and tell us 30 reasons why you celebrate it.
- Try 30 different locations for a dog walk on the Thames Path.
- Challenge yourself to learn the names of 30 different plant species you spot on the Thames Path.
- Grab a pad and pencil and collect 30 sketches from your Thames Path walks.
Ramblers groups the length of the route are focussing even more walks than usual on The Thames Path this year in honour of the anniversary - and some are also taking part in June's relay baton walk, leading walks along different sections of the route starting at the source.
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We're delighted that London Loop project volunteers have been able to get some important signage works done on London Loop Section 2 at Footscray Meadows.
The works were agreed with the Friends group and Thames 21 - and were completed by their volunteer work party. They included the re installation of two out of ground posts, redirection of a route pointer, some ground clearance around a Loop post, plus erecting two new posts (provided by them). Our volunteers then walked the route from Bexley station to Footscray and fixed new Loop discs to three of the posts - plus also managed to attach a metal 'flag' pointer to an existing metal pole at a junction of paths.
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South East Walker Article Count: 2
South East Walker newspaper is produced three times a year by a small team of volunteers. It's distributed to Ramblers members across the South East with the glossy Walk magazine and contains more local news and updates about what volunteers and groups are doing across the region. The latest issues are displayed here and are available for download.