Transport for London (TfL) is providing the people of Wandsworth with a healthy, sustainable and economically friendly way to begin the New Year. On the weekend of January 30th and 31st 2010, TfL is sponsoring the ‘Winter Wanders’, a weekend of free led walks organised by Walk London spanning the width, length and breadth of the city and taking in some of the sights and sounds of Wandsworth.

Wandsworth is one of the areas that will be explored with a walk from Wimbledon Park to Richmond. Participants will be able to get up close and personal with the glorious scenery which makes up one of the nicest sections of the Capital Ring.

Walk Leader Jill Green said:
“This is walk six of the Capital Ring. This section is top of the list for green spaces in London. We will go across Wimbledon Common past the famous windmill; then to the woods where the Wombles of Wimbledon Common lived, by the Queens Mere. We will continue on to Richmond Park the largest urban park in Europe, then across Petersham Water Meadows to finish our walk along the Thames Path to Richmond. If you have a Womble please bring it with you!”

TfL is working with the London Boroughs and others to make walking in the Capital as convenient and attractive as possible to encourage more people to walk, and to walk more often, for their daily journeys or for leisure. The led walks will take place on London's Strategic Walk Network, a series of seven long-distance routes broken up in to shorter sections. The 350-mile Network is one of the initiatives being promoted by TfL and the Boroughs to help London become one of the most walking-friendly cities in Europe by 2012. 

With over 30 different routes to choose from, people will also be able to explore areas outside of Wandsworth and extend their geographical knowledge of the Capital.  All walks will be led by either professional Walk London or official City of London guides who will be able to provide information on the areas as the walks progress. Some walks will also have local experts on hand to discuss more specific topics.

All the start and end points of the walks are easily accessible by public transport and the wide choice of walks on offer means there is something for everyone. Those who cannot make the ‘Winter Wanders’ can download audio walks from the Walk London website for a guided tour from the comfort of your own headphones. 

Ben Plowden, Director of Integrated Programme Delivery at TfL, said:
“London’s great landmarks and green areas are best explored on foot. That is why we are working with our partners and stakeholders to make walking in this city as attractive and enjoyable as possible by investing over £17 million this year to improve conditions across the Capital. Seasonal events like the ‘Winter Wanders’ are a great way to inspire Londoners to get out and either walk on their own or in groups to enjoy their surroundings and to keep fit. These events also show Londoners how walking can be a quick and efficient way of getting from A to B and encourage them to make more journeys by foot.”