Every runner needs a space to train.
If you’re looking for the best places to run in South London, we’ve done the research for you. Whether you’re chasing a speedy session, tackling intervals or looking for hills to put your legs to the test, there’s a park to suit your training.
Read on to discover some of the best parks for running and training in South London.
Wimbledon Common
Perfect for: Long runs, trail running and easy miles.
A place that captures the spirit of South London, Wimbledon Common gives you miles of woodland trails, open heathland and winding paths to keep your runs interesting. The ideal location to enjoy a long Sunday run (early mornings are especially peaceful before dog walkers and weekend crowds arrive), a midweek interval session or simply a chance to re-set in the fresh air, the peaceful surroundings make it easy to forget you're running in one of the world's busiest cities.
Richmond Park
Perfect for: Long runs, endurance training and hill sessions.
Richmond Park is a great place to stretch your legs and cover a distance of your choosing.
Earning the title of London's largest Royal Park, it offers wide-open spaces, stunning views and miles of runnable routes. The notorious Tamsin Trail provides a near-complete 12km loop of the park which sets you up well for building endurance. There’s plenty to see as you run around the pretty parkland in Richmond Park, including trying to get a glimpse of the park’s famous deer!
Morden Park
Perfect for: Tempo runs, intervals and midweek training.
Looking for somewhere quieter? Morden Park is often overlooked but its wide, straight paths and open surroundings create a runner’s paradise to run consistent splits or times intervals.
Offering plenty of green space for you to explore without the crowds you often run into in busier parks; it’s a true hidden gem of South London. Being well-connected to local neighbourhood’s means you can start to explore further afield as you progress through your training plan.
Tooting Common
Perfect for: Recovery runs, threshold sessions and steady efforts.
A favourite among local runners, Tooting Common is always filled with a buzz from local sports clubs, activity at the lido and fitness groups hosting their weekly sessions. The area combines wide open spaces with good-quality running paths and a welcoming community atmosphere.
It proves to be a popular area for those looking to enjoy a quick run to kickstart their day, squeezing in a lunchtime dash or winding down after work as the relatively flat terrain is well suited for a runner keen to work on maintaining a steady pace.
Dulwich Park
Perfect for: Beginners, tempo runs and confidence-building miles.
It’s hard to beat this area as a location fit for runners to enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted run and for those looking to gain confidence and comfortability running. The park's broad pathways lend themselves well for structured training sessions and provide plenty of room for runners, walkers and cyclists to coexist comfortably. The picturesque surroundings also make those tougher training days feel that little bit easier.
Crystal Palace Park
Perfect for: Hill training and strength-building sessions.
If you’re looking to challenge your next training session, then look no further than Crystal Palace Park. No stranger to rolling terrain and hills ready to be tackled, its elevated position might test your legs but it is a fantastic way to build strength and stamina that will set you up perfectly for your next race day. A sweetener to those hill climbs is that you are rewarded with some great views across London when you reach the top!
And let's be honest – few training runs can claim to feature Victorian dinosaur sculptures.
Morden Hall Park
Perfect for: Easy runs, recovery runs and half marathon training.
Running along the River Wandle and following it all the way to Morden Hall Park, is debatably one of the most scenic running experiences in South London.
The flat pathways make it suitable for comfortable, continuous running, while the river running beside you offers a welcome escape from busy roads. If you're searching for a route where the miles seem to fly by, this is an easy place to settle into your rhythm and lose yourself in the run.
If you're training for Run South London, why not take part in our monthly community run sessions and join our friendly, supportive running community! Find our more and sign up below.
View Community Run Info