Active Walks programme
Walking is almost perfect exercise: it requires no equipment or expense and is an ideal way to become more active.
Join our Active Walks programme and you can enjoy the borough's parks, meet new people from your local community and get some exercise at the same time!
- Walking is one of the safest physical activities - there is very little risk of injury.
- Led walks are a good way of keeping up your enthusiasm - as a group you can encourage each other.
Who can join?
Lambeth's active walking programme is open to everyone. We offer information, support and encouragement to complete beginners and seasoned walkers.
Read a testimonial
The walks
We have four led and one unled walks in parks around the borough.
- Groups are usually made up of between five and fifteen people and our leaders are carefully selected and fully trained to help you get the most out of our walks.
- Everyone is welcome: those with buggies, slow walkers, fast walkers - you get the idea!
- If you have a disability, use a wheelchair or have small children, please call one of our team on 020 7926 0761 and we can advise you on the most suitable route for you.
- All the routes have been designed to be accessible to everyone, of all abilities.
- We do not cover a set distance, but each walk lasts approximately one hour and covers about two miles
- If you are new to walking or are unable to walk the full distance our walk leaders are happy to shorten the route for you
- Our new fortnightly Brockwell Walk for wellbeing is aimed at improving physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Active Walks schedule
The walks are held all year round, regardless of the weather! Just turn up and see what the weather is like - our walk leaders will make a decision on the day. We do break up for holidays at Christmas, Easter and Summer.
Timetable of current walks:
| Venue |
Day and time |
Meeting at |
| Kennington Park (led) |
Monday at 12.30pm.
From 25 Jan walk begins at 2pm |
The café |
| Brockwell Park (led) |
Tuesday at 2pm |
Brockwell Lido |
| Streatham Common (led) |
Thursday at 1pm |
The Rookery café |
| Embankment walk (unled) |
Tuesday at 2.30pm |
St Thomas's Hospital - main entrance |
| Brockwell Walk for wellbeing |
Fortnightly - starting Wednesday 13 January 2010 at 2.30pm |
Effra Road Resource Centre |
Maps of the walks
Getting started
- You will be asked to complete a walks questionnaire before starting.
- Don't overdo it on your first walk. If you can only walk for a couple of minutes and then you need to rest that's okay.
- If you are very unfit you may want to start by walking every other day.
- Build up your stamina bit by bit: aim to walk on most days of the week.
Feel the benefits
For to get health benefits from walking, you only need to walk for 30 minutes, five days a week.
You can even break this down to say, 3 sessions of 10 minutes a day. It all adds up.
Walking has many benefits. It can reduce the risk of:
- Coronary heart disease
- Strokes
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Bowel cancer
- Alzheimer's disease
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Stress.
What to wear
You should wear comfortable shoes that provide good support and don't cause blisters.
You can wear running shoes with heavy soles, casual shoes with heavy rubber soles, or some of the lighter walking boots.
Whatever kind of shoe you wear it should have arch supports and should elevate the heel slightly. Make sure there is enough room for your toes. Choose a shoe with uppers made of materials that breathe, such as nylon mesh or leather.
For clothing choose loose fitting garments that allow you to move freely. Wear thick layers rather than heavy clothing.
At certain times of year it is probably sensible to also bring a waterproof jacket.
You may want to bring a bottle of water as walking is thirsty work.
Some tips for a healthier lifestyle
- Think before you drive less than a mile - walk to the local shop or post box.
- Get of the bus a stop earlier.
- Park the car further away from the supermarket.
- Take the stairs instead of the lift.
- Enjoy a walking lunch - walk to the park and eat your sandwiches.
- Borrow a friend's dog and take it for a walk.
- Walk to the pub.
- Throw away the remote control.
Who to contact
For more information please email: healthylifestyles@lambeth.gov.uk or phone 020 7926 0761.