London: South Bank River Bike Tour & 17th Century Pub Lunch

Cycle along London’s river paths past old cottages, wildlife, and hidden village pubs

You’ll pedal quiet riverside paths past centuries-old cottages and wildlife with a local guide who knows every story along the way. Expect plenty of stops—from historic waterwheels to ancient village greens—and a cozy pub lunch that feels earned by the ride itself. It’s peaceful, unexpected, and surprisingly close to central London.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — South London bike tour and sightseeing

• Meet guide at 100-year-old house
• Receive bicycle and helmet
• Admire old cottages along river
• Visit London's only working waterwheel
• Learn about historic monastery site
• Cycle through historic South London park
• Discover ancient village and tall tree
• Stop at 17th century village pub
• Return to starting point

The Experience

Ever wondered if there’s a quieter side to London? I didn’t really believe it until I was standing outside our guide’s creaky old house near Colliers Wood station, helmet in hand, trying not to look too nervous about riding a bike in the city. But honestly, within minutes we’d left behind the traffic and noise for this winding path along the river — you could actually hear birds instead of sirens. Our guide (Simon — he’s lived here forever) pointed out these crooked little cottages tucked right up against the water. He told us the river used to be “Europe’s hardest working” because of all the waterwheels. I still can’t get over how calm it felt just a few stops from central London.

We stopped at this market where an old waterwheel still turns — you can smell fresh bread and coffee mixing with something damp and green from the riverbank. Simon started talking about a monastery that once stood here; apparently its church was almost as big as Westminster Abbey. I tried to picture it but got distracted by a heron stalking around one of the ponds. The pace is slow (thankfully for me), with lots of stops so you don’t feel rushed or sweaty. There was this moment in one of the parks when we all just went quiet — maybe it was the light through those huge trees or just being away from crowds for once.

Later on we rolled into what used to be an actual village before London swallowed it up — there’s even one of the UK’s tallest trees here, which Simon made us guess (“Nope, not an oak!”). We ended up at this 17th-century pub for lunch; low ceilings, sticky tables, locals arguing about football. My sandwich tasted better than it probably was because I’d worked up an appetite by then. Someone ordered a pint and Simon laughed about how cyclists always think they’ve earned it after twelve miles. We lingered longer than planned before heading back — nobody seemed in a hurry.

Top questions

How long is the South London bike tour?

The bike tour covers 12 miles (20 km) over about 4 hours.

Where does the bike tour start?

The tour starts at your guide’s house near Colliers Wood Underground Station in South London.

Is lunch included on this London bike tour?

The tour includes a stop at a 17th-century pub for lunch or refreshments; food/drinks are not specified as included.

Are bikes and helmets provided?

Yes, both bicycles and helmets are provided for all participants.

What age do you need to be for this tour?

The minimum age is 15 years old and you must be able to ride a bike.

Will I see wildlife on this South London cycle tour?

You’re likely to spot birds and pond life along the river and in local parks during the ride.

What happens if it rains during the bike tour?

Light rain ponchos and waterproof trousers are available if needed.

How big are the groups on this London bike tour?

The maximum group size is 7 people per tour.

What’s included

Your day includes bicycle and helmet rental plus storage for any extra bags you don’t want to carry while cycling. If it looks rainy, your guide has ponchos or waterproof trousers handy so you can keep going comfortably. The route includes plenty of stops—with time for stories, photos, or just catching your breath—plus a relaxed break at a historic village pub before heading back toward Colliers Wood station.