THE BEST PLACES TO RUN IN SOUTHWEST LONDON
There are some fantastic places to run in southwest London just a stone’s throw away from busy, urban areas. There is an abundance of parkland that serves as a great way to escape the daily hustle and bustle, and are truly worth the minimal effort that it will take to get there. Here we explore our top three destinations for no-interruption running!
Running in Richmond Park
Richmond Park certainly deserves a mention. The range of routes that you can take through or around the edge of the 6.73 mile lap of the park mean that there is something for everyone. There are gravel tracks that are relatively firm for someone looking for a flat, firm surface or alternatively, there are well sign-posted off road dirt tracks for the trail runners out there. Single track roads that cut through the park are perfect for interval sessions and other short workouts. The terrain will keep the most fierce of climbers interested with your reward for reaching the top of these peaks being great views over London and the surrounding areas. The park is open from 7am in the summer until dusk, meaning that you can get that workout down either side of work
Running on Clapham Common
Clapham Common is also another great place to run. Smaller than Richmond Park, it is also a fair bit flatter. This makes it perfect for those tempo runs during the winter, or just a steady plod on a Sunday morning. Due to the rising popularity of the area, you will constantly find runners of all abilities making their way round the park. Clapham Common’s advantage over Richmond Park is that it is better linked with public transport with both buses and the underground. The cosmopolitan feel to the area also means that there are a plethora of small little cafes and places to eat, if you are feeling peckish afterwards.
Running Along the River Thames
With articles such as these, I always think it’s good to throw in a wildcard. In this instance, my wildcard is going to be running along the Thames. Despite being on the very edge of southwest London, I definitely think it’s worth the mention. I usually start nearby to Putney Bridge station. Heading along the North bank of the Thames, you will pass the leafy suburbs of Fulham and Putney and head out to Hammersmith via a traffic-free route. There are a variety of routes and options that you can take, which is the greatest thing about this particular area of London. Make sure to utilise either Kew Bridge or Chiswick Bridge to cap off a great run.
So the message to you folks is that there are loads of great places to run in southwest London. Bushy Park and Wimbledon Common are other notable mentions amongst a whole host of fantastic places to run. If you do want to increase your mileage or are looking to take up running again after a bit of a break, make sure to pop into our store in Hampton Wick. We have a handpicked selection of fantastic shoes as well as a great range of clothing, gadgets and accessories. Being runners ourselves, our aim is to get you running better and we are happy to offer advice where possible to help achieve this.
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