Cycling Routes for Bloom Residents

In Battersea, you’ll find our exclusive community of Bloom Nine Elms apartments. Nine Elms is a thriving regeneration area along the South Bank of the Thames, and our London homes are the perfect base to explore the magic of inner-city life. Whether you ride a bike recreationally or for commuting, cycling is a dynamic way to venture into the capital, stay fit and enjoy London's green spaces. 

What Does Cycling Around London Offer?

A More Time-Efficient Commute

As city terrain goes, London is relatively flat and has vast road networks. If you know your lanes and segregated cycle routes, these are simple to get around by bike. The Central London Cycle Network stretches from Hyde Park to the Tower of London, with sections passing St James’s Park, the City Museum and running along the Victoria Embankment. 

Commuting by bike can save time and help you avoid packed tube rides during rush hour. 

The Health Benefits of Cycling

Regularly cycling significantly increases your physical activity. Cycling is a lower-impact exercise, much gentler on your joints than running so there are ways to enjoy it regardless of age. 

Make your ride as intense or relaxed as you like by choosing the difficulty of your route accordingly. We recommend always planning your cycle path ahead of your journey and, where possible, checking its difficulty with an app using a website like Kamoot. 

The Greenest Views of Central London

Most cycle routes, particularly the longer circuits, detour through green spaces around London. For example, the Santa Max Trail is a recreational route that loops between Richmond and Battersea, running through the stunning woodlands of Tamsin Trail and Richmond Park along the way. 

Why Cycle from Bloom Nine Elms?

Bloom Nine Elms is conveniently close to the scenic cycle routes that run from Battersea Park, which spans 200 acres of natural marsh and woodland. The park also features a serene riverside promenade and lake. 

Whether you cycle for work or play, here are some cycle routes nearby:

The Santa Max Trail

Difficulty: Intermediate

The Santa Max Trail is a 40.4-mile route that uses sections of the Richmond Park cycling loop and takes approximately four hours. The loop begins at Battersea Power Station and is best suited for intermediate riders, using a mountain bike. 

The trail from Battersea takes you to Richmond Park, which has ancient woodlands and sprawling grass fields that are home to herds of deer throughout the year. Other highlights of this scenic route include Tamsin Trail, Pembroke Lodge and the striking Chelsea Bridge which connects the north and south banks. 

The Santa Max Trail is mostly paved, combining easy, flat urban riding with riverside views and the natural beauty of London’s parks. 

Richmond Park – Windsor Castle Loop from Battersea Power Station 

Difficulty: Expert

The Windsor Castle Loop from Battersea Power Station is an ambitious 65.6-mile cycling trail that takes riders through Richmond Park and beyond, to the historic Windsor Castle. The route takes around five and a half hours, and most websites recommend it to seasoned riders due to the distance and mixed terrain. It’s also worth noting that there are sections where you’ll need to carry your bike up and down stairs. 

Along the Windsor Castle Loop, you’ll pass through Richmond Park, Battersea Park and over the Windsor & Eton Bridge. The crown jewel of your ride will be the views of Windsor’s iconic castle which was built in the 11th century and is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.

Richmond Park Loop from Clapham Junction 

Difficulty: Intermediate

Significantly shorter than the Windsor Castle Loop, the Richmond Park Loop from Clapham Junction takes 3 hours. While you’ll need good fitness, this journey is mostly paved and will be particularly enjoyable for intermediate riders. The start of the route, Clapham Junction, is easily accessible by train. 

On your ride through South-West London, expect to cruise past quieter residential areas before reaching Richmond Park, one of London’s largest royal parks. Ham Common is another conservation area you’ll pass, featuring open grass fields and leafy woodland. Other landmarks include the Thames Street River path, Walton Bridge and Sheen Cross. 

Battersea Park to Beckenham Place Loop 

Difficulty: Intermediate

The Battersea Park to Beckenham Place Loop takes just under three hours and runs 27.4 miles. Cycling isn’t allowed along certain sections, so occasionally you’ll need to dismount and push your bike. 

This cycling trail runs down the west side of Tooting Bec Common. From this particularly pleasant section of the loop, you can enjoy views of the tree-lined avenues and the wide, open park grounds. You’ll also pass through Beddington Corner and can stop for a warm drink at Kent House Coffee and Flowers. 

Eventually, you’ll reach the illustrious Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham, which covers 96 hectares of land. Beckenham Place has a lake where you can go wild swimming, nature trails, and a café – the perfect pitstop for refuelling. Keep an eye out for the Beckenham Place Mansion, an elegant Grade II-listed Georgian mansion. 

The trail offers a mix of urban cycling and tranquil green spaces, with opportunities to enjoy food and drink along the way.

Thames River Path

Difficulty: Easy

This riverside route links Battersea Park, Battersea Power Station, Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge. Most of the Thames River Path is solely for pedestrian use, but there are short cyclable sections. According to the National Cycle Network, inter-borough cycle routes four (Reading to Windsor) and five (Reading to Oxford) have small segments that run alongside the river. 

The longer, cyclable sections of the Thames Path are outside of Central London. There’s a 5.4-mile stint through Oxford and a 5.8-mile ride from Weybridge to Hampton Court. 

Health and Fitness at Bloom Nine Elms Gym

Outdoor cycling tends to be a seasonal activity, taking a back seat when the winter months come to call. If colder weather starts to get in the way of your outdoor workout then Bloom Nine Elms apartments in London have an ultramodern gym open 24 hours a day, equipped with cardio bikes and much more. After your indoor cycle, head to one of two rooftop pools for a relaxing swim to ease tired muscles.

Bloom Nine Elms Apartments 

Whether you want a short River Thames cycle, or a longer ride through London’s many parks and nature reserves, with Bloom Nine Elms apartments perfectly located on the South Bank, you can have it all. The cycling routes from Battersea offer a balance of scenic views, cultural landmarks and stop-offs when you need to refuel. Find out which high-spec studios, 2-bed, or  3-bed apartments are available and enquire about our Bloom properties today.