A cricket ground in deep winter
The Oval has no cricket on at the end of January. The wide green outfield sits empty, the stands are quiet, and the gasholder frames behind the ground are still the Kennington landmark people use to find it. On the weekend of 30–31 January 2027, the ground becomes the start and finish for the London Winter Walk.
This is a walking event, not a race. It offers four distances, so one weekend works for first-timers and for people who want to cover a full marathon on foot:
- Full marathon: 42.2km (26.2 miles)
- Half marathon: 21.1km (13.1 miles)
- 10K: 6.2 miles
- 5K: 3.1 miles
Dates, distances and entry
The event runs across Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2027. Entry is handled through the organiser’s registration page. Ticket prices, start times and the split of distances between the two days are listed there, not at the gate.
The distance you choose shapes your whole day. A 5K is a stroll of under an hour for most people. At a steady walking pace of around 5km an hour, a full marathon takes most walkers eight hours or more. In late January that is close to all the daylight London gets, because the sun rises a little before 8am and sets around half past four.
Getting to the Oval
The ground is in Kennington, in the borough of Lambeth, and it is easy to reach by public transport.
- Oval station (Northern line, Morden branch via Bank or Charing Cross) sits on the corner opposite the ground, about a two-minute walk away.
- Vauxhall (Victoria line plus National Rail from Waterloo and the southwest) is roughly 10–15 minutes on foot along Harleyford Road.
- Kennington station (Northern line) is a short walk east, which helps if the Charing Cross branch suits you better.
- Several bus routes run along Kennington Park Road and Harleyford Road.
Parking around the ground is very limited, and much of Lambeth sits inside controlled parking zones. Most participants arrive by Tube or train.
Walking it in a London January
Winter in London is usually damp and grey rather than snowy. Temperatures normally hover just above freezing to the high single digits Celsius, and drizzle is common. Wet pavements, short days and long hours outdoors decide what experienced walkers carry.
- Layers you can take off as you warm up, plus a light waterproof
- Broken-in walking shoes, never new ones; blisters end more marathon walks than tiredness
- Hi-vis or reflective kit, especially for longer distances that start or end in low light
- Gloves and a hat, which matter more when you stop than while you move
- A phone power bank, because cold drains batteries quickly
Pacing yourself on the long distances
Walking events reward patience. Experienced marathon walkers usually set off slower than feels natural and hold that pace, because the last 10km is where the cold catches up with tired legs. They tend to eat little and often instead of waiting until they feel hungry.
Brief, regular breaks usually beat one long sit-down. In January, muscles stiffen fast once you stop, and getting going again in damp air is harder than it sounds. Walkers in groups usually agree a meeting point at the Oval beforehand, since phone signal and battery life can both fade during a long day.
Etiquette on shared London pavements is simple. Keep left where you can, walk two abreast at most, and give way at pedestrian crossings. The route is not closed to the public, so the usual rules of the road still apply.
Around Kennington after you finish
The area around the ground rewards people who hang about after the finish. Kennington Park, a historic public park, is a short walk southeast. The Thames at Vauxhall Bridge is about 15 minutes north on foot.
Kennington Road and the streets near Oval station have pubs and cafés where finishers usually warm up. Vauxhall has a wider choice of food and late opening. For supporters, Brixton is a couple of stops south on the Victoria line from Vauxhall, with its covered markets and street food.
Frequently asked questions
When is the London Winter Walk 2027?
It takes place over the weekend of 30–31 January 2027. The organiser's registration page shows which distances run on which day.
Where does the London Winter Walk start and finish?
All four distances (marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K) start and finish at The Oval Cricket Ground in Kennington, south London.
What is the nearest station to the Oval?
Oval station on the Northern line is directly opposite the ground. Vauxhall (Victoria line and National Rail) is about 10–15 minutes' walk away, and Kennington (Northern line) is also close.
How long does it take to walk the marathon distance?
At a steady pace of around 5km an hour, most walkers need eight hours or more for the full 42.2km. A half marathon usually takes four to five hours, and the 5K takes under an hour.
What is the weather like in London in late January?
It is usually cold, damp and grey, from just above freezing to the high single digits Celsius, with frequent drizzle. Daylight lasts from just before 8am to around 4:30pm.
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