The brand new walking map is beautifully illustrated and reveals an array of quiet and fascinating streets in central London and also features hundreds of kilometres of scenic, safe and pedestrian-friendly walking routes.
The maps were released on Tuesday the 24th of May by Footways and mark the opening of the Elizabeth line and in time for London's Platinum Jubilee. The map is available as a paper version and also digital which features geolocation.
The colourful map also includes a ‘Quick Connections' tool on the back which makes life simple for those incorporating walking within their A to B journeys. Londoners and visitors travelling alone, with friends or as a family can make time to enjoy a 15-minute walk and see some of London's iconic attractions whilst increasing their step count.
The Footways network has been created to link major places with London's charming, interesting and accessible streets. Both versions of the map also include hundreds of interesting features which can only be enjoyed when travelling on foot and offers walkers a real chance to enjoy London's diverse culture and history.
This second edition of Central London Footways is a collaborative enterprise and has been made possible due to key sponsors Network Rail, London North Eastern Railway, King's Cross Central Limited Partnership, the Northbank BID, Urban Partners for King's Cross, Euston & St Pancras, Central District Alliance BID, City of London Corporation, with support from Transport for London, London boroughs and Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.
More information on the maps can be found on the Footways website here.
Susan Holden, stations customer experience manager, Network Rail, said:
“Network Rail is pleased to have worked with Footways London in the development of this walking map, which highlights safe and accessible walking routes across London for locals and visitors. We know that our customer journeys do not begin and end at stations, so to connect rail – the best long-distance, low-carbon travel – with walking – the easiest, most accessible and enjoyable form of transport on short distances – creates the ultimate integrated, sustainable transport. Ten thousand initial copies of this map will be made freely available across our Managed Stations in London, for the benefit of our customers and people in our communities.”
David Harrison, co-founder of Footways and transport historian said:
“We're incredibly proud of the second edition of Central London Footways, launching in time for Living Streets' National Walking Month. London boasts such an interesting history, so what better way to discover this and all its hidden gems than by foot? Londoners are often surprised to discover just how close destinations are to stations; many are within a 15-minute walk.
“This summer we want to see more people walking, particularly families with their kids. That's why our definition of ‘walking' covers all uses of the ‘footway', including feet, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and kids on bikes. Although we want everyone to use these walking routes to experience the city, walking infrastructure must be improved to make the city truly accessible to all Londoners.”
Michael Richardson, Project Director, Urban Partners for London King's Cross, Euston and St Pancras, said:
“Urban Partners is delighted to have sponsored Footways' updated walking map of London. We have been working for 10 years to encourage people to take an alternative, lower-carbon walking route through King's Cross, St Pancras and Euston. Partnering with Footways on the latest iteration of their map not only means we can encourage active travel by those visiting, working in and living in our area, but also support this across London
Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said:
“Walking is a fantastic way to get around and explore our wonderful capital. We're making London a city where walking is the most obvious, enjoyable and attractive means of travel for all short trips. This map is a great tool for exploring quiet and interesting streets across central London. I hope Londoners and those visiting enjoy using it this summer. I know I will.”
Roberta Fusco, Director of Policy, Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, said:
“Walking for just 20 minutes a day can have fantastic health benefits, reducing the risk of long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, depression and certain cancers. The Footways maps will help make walking and wheeling an easier option for people living, working and visiting the capital, improving people's connectivity to the people and places around them.”
I can assure you, they are NOT available at many (= most or all??) of the stations mentioned. The staff know nothing about them and at Victoria became quite indignant that I should even ask for them.