Let me guess: come December 26 at about 10am, you’re probably going to be slumped upon the sofa slowly caressing your ever expanding Christmas stomach and wondering if you’ll ever break the wonderful cycle of being drunk then hungover and then quickly drunk again… Am I right? Of course I am. Well, here are six Boxing Day walks gorgeous enough to keep the Christmas magic alive!
Perhaps the most magical of all magical Boxing Day walks is a wander around Kew Gardens. Their Christmas lights trail is still in full splendour until early January, so if you can nab yourself a ticket, there’s a spectacular day out to be found here. Walk through the shrubbery while it’s light, dazzled by the lights when the sun goes down. Seems like a Boxing Day miracle to me.
2. Victoria Park
[Pedro Alonso, via Flickr]If you really fancy going on a hike then feel free to trek the entire 86.18 hectares of Victoria Park, just make sure you wrap up warm! If you don’t feel like going on quite so long an adventure then just stroll around the park grounds taking in the crisp, city air and think about your hopes, dreams, boxes, favourite Christmas presents or whatever it is that people think about on Boxing Day!
[Richardjo53, via Flickr]Perhaps the dreamiest location in the whole of London, Little Venice offers winding canals, gorgeous houseboats and a handful of fantastic cafes, including the charming Cafe Laville. We wouldn’t blame you if you mistook this area of London for Amsterdam… well maybe we would… but it’s more logical than Venice FFS!! Anywaaaay, Little Venice and the area around Regents Canal provides the most idyllic backdrop to your Boxing Day adventures.
Paddington Basin, London W2
4. Barnes & Hammersmith
Photo: @domcraik
For a lovely riverside walk in west London, start your journey at Barnes Bridge and follow your way around the bend in the Thames until you reach Hammersmith Bridge. There’s plenty of pubs along the way for you to stop off in for a little fuel, in case you weren’t done with the festive antics just yet. C’mon, it’s Christmas!
5. The London LOOP
Bushy Park [Kacka a Ondra, via Flickr]Known as the M25 for pedestrians (but a lot prettier), the London Outer Orbital Path is 152 miles long, so you’ll certainly burn off all that Christmas dinner, chocolate and wine if you walk the whole thing! It will take you across the parks, woods and fields of Outer London. If you manage to complete the whole LOOP, you can even download a nifty little printable certificate from TfL’s website.
[Matt Churchill]Just a 10 minute walk from Camden Town, this lovely London green space boasts a simply remarkable view of the city skyline and is a fab place to walk off your Christmas dinner (and we know you had seconds!).
