Length: 22.2 km (13.8 mi) [much shorter walks possible,
see below]
Ascent/Descent: 213/228m
Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 4 out of 10
Take the 10.05 Dartford via Bexleyheath train from Charing Cross (Waterloo East 10.08, London Bridge 10.14, Lewisham 10.28), arrives Blackheath
(Zone 3) at 10.30.
Return from Deptford (Zone 2): there are no trains
today, so you can take the DLR from Deptford Bridge either to Lewisham (trains to
London Bridge and Charing Cross or Cannon Street or Thameslink) or to Canary
Wharf (Jubilee Line and Crossrail); or bail out at New Cross Gate (1.3 km from the
end, trains to London Bridge and Overground).
This is an urban route almost entirely in
the London Borough of Lewisham, stringing together some genteel residential
areas and streets, a large heathland with views, many well-kept parks (some
with rivers running through them), a large Victorian cemetery and plenty of
hills-with-views to either Crystal Palace and the North Downs, Canary Wharf,
the City of London and/or the West End and Nine Elms.
You start with a long loop through the acclaimed Blackheath
Cator Estate, a Victorian and Georgian private estate with some impressive
large houses and tree-lined wide and quiet streets, but also sprinkled with
award-winning modernist houses. From there, traverse the upland heath and
descend into Lee, also with streets full of attractive residences, some
almshouses, a Manor House with a fine park, and the River Quaggy.
On through Hither Green to a hill-park-with-views and down across the Ravensbourne
Valley. The Brockley Three Peaks await next, with Brockley and
Ladywell Cemetery walked through in-between. The final stretch leads over Telegraph
Hill into Hatcham (New Cross) and on to Deptford.
All the route is on hard surfaces and mud-free.
Alternative earth or gravel paths are shown on the map where appropriate.
Shorter Walks:
·
An Early Shortcut, straight from the station, cuts out the
loop through Blackheath Park and across the Heath. It cuts 2.9 km and 20m
ascent
·
A Late Shortcut through Camberwell New Cemetery (shown on
the route map) cuts out One Tree Hill (cut 600m and 50m ascent)
·
Many bus stops are passed on the route
·
Bailouts at intermittent mainline and overground stations: Hither Green (6.5 km),
Ladywell (10.3 km, a little off route), Catford and Catford Bridge (11.8 km, a
little off route), Honor Oak Park (13.2 km), Crofton Park (15.2 km), Brockley
(18.6 km), Nunhead (19.8 km, a little off route), New Cross Gate (20.9 km)
Food & Drink: Leading through fully gentrified parts
of Inner London, a plethora of good refreshment options are passed. See page 2
of the pdf for details.
Note: Special Thanks to those friends of mine who over the years have introduced me to the areas
featured on the route. You know who you are!
3 comments:
Will be joining.
Can we not visit my building site at Kidbrooke: 5 Moorhead Way?
Austen
12 off the train, with 5 others loitering outside (earlier trains or walk-ins from home), ie 17 at the start. 2 others were bumped into on the descent off the Heath across to Lee, those having started with the early shortcut (1 because of a missed train connection, 1 by choice), so n=19 in the end.
We had 2 precipitation events: a two minute shower, just as we were approaching the Good Hope Cafe (and toilet block) in Ladywell Fields, and one ten minute hail then rain shower, just before we passed the Hill Station Cafe and Bar between Upper and Lower Telegraph Hill Parks. Both establishments were therefore frequented.
Inbetween we had stopped for lunch in Honor Oak Park, at The Chandos for very good pizze and a very decent beer selection. 11 ate there (I think), 4 or so had sandwiches outside and one of them then walked on with us, the others sped ahead. Some others again walked on anyway. 1 of us then bailed out at Honor Oak Station, some others at subsequent Overground stations. At least 12 walked all the way to Deptford though (10 diners plus 2 of the sandwichers), where 6 ended at The Village Brewery Taproom. All 19 seemingly enjoyed the route, and the very most had not been to any parts of it before.
Snowdrops, daffodils and celandines were spotted in good numbers.
And great, clear views were had what with all the clean air and just a few fluffy clouds around. Apart from the short rain/hail events mentioned above, it was w=mainly-sunny
Correction/Addendum: the snowdrops were three-cornered leeks, I'm told;
some of the folk swear they saw bluebells, fully out; and we also passed the Home Secretary with his bags of shopping going home to Greenwich from Blackheath, with wife, dogs and security detail...
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