Train: Take the 18:16 Thameslink train from London Blackfriars, arriving Ravensbourne at 18:47. Return trains from Beckenham Hill are every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour.
Distance: 3 miles or 5 km about 1 1/4 hours waking.
Difficulty: 1 out of 10
This partly undulating route winds its way through an attractive park in South East London, partly on grounds formerly used for a public golf course. The park is bounded to the east by the Ravensbourne River and the route initially follows parts of the well-waymarked Waterlink Way along it through open meadows. You then cross the railway line into the more undulating westerly part of the park, famous for its bluebell displays in season. More information and the walk instructions can be found here.
Refreshments: Both the Mansion Bar and Café in the Palladian Beckenham Place Mansion and the Homestead Café may still be open, but if not options are available down the train line to London, for example when changing at Catford Stations -- The Bottle Bar & Shop in Catford proved to be a very good option last time around…
3 comments:
According to an Instagram posting it looks like that the Bottle Bar & Shop in Catford has unfortunately closed.
Closed the shop end of March, according to their Facebook. Just selling online. Catford Bridge Tavern does food to 21.00
Seven assembled on the platform and were soon met by n=8 who had taken a bus on a w=lovely-mild-evening. Upon entering Beckenham Place Park we encountered some major earthworks relating to some planned improvements. Fortunately, the works did not impede our route and we were soon enjoying the pretty undulating woodland full of bluebells which is the highlight of this walk. Towards the end, we noted several people were seriously swimming in the swimming pond and the flowers in the gardens were lovely. Rather than lingering at the cafe which appeared open, we decided to head for the 8pm train and stop for post walk refreshment en route..... While waiting for the train, one magically produced a nice rose from her bag for aperitifs having been concerned about the closure of our intended post-walk refreshment stop. Although various options were suggested by the locals in the group -- we ended up trying out the Catford Tavern next to the station....which proved a good choice -- it has been nicely done up with a large terrace and everyone agreed the food was very tasty. Definitely a keeper.
Post a Comment