12 km (7.5 miles) Toughness 1 out of 10. This walk crosses Blackheath and takes a circuitous route through Greenwich Park, with fine views down to the river from the higher points. We eventually reach Greenwich, home to several museums. You could finish the walk there but - and this is the exciting bit – the full walk continues under the Thames in a foot tunnel and makes its way along the other bank to Canary Wharf. Get there late enough (5pm) and you have another chance to visit the annual Winter Lights festival, the focus of last Thursday’s walk.
Trains
Take the 10:37 Dartford train from Victoria arriving Blackheath 11:04
There’s also a 10:32 from Cannon Street, arrives 10:49
Returning, Elizabeth, Jubilee and DLR services are available from Canary Wharf
There’s a DLR station at Cutty Sark for early leavers.
All within zone 3
Elevenses: The Pavilion Café would make an ideal stop before venturing into Greenwich Park
Lunch: The Plume of Feathers (020-8858 1661) at 19 Park Vista (just outside Park Row Gate). Other hostelries are available.
Tea: This directory may help.
A previous group suggested The Space, 269 Westferry Rd, London E14
Attractions
These are free (booking advised but not compulsory)
The National Maritime Museum, especially the adjoining Queens House, with its tulip staircase, decorated ceiling and Tudor portraits (including the Armada portrait of Elizabeth I).
The Royal Naval College’s chapel is worth a quick look. Like an inside-out bit of Wedgewood.
The Winter Lights festival is free. 5-10pm. There's other art dotted round Canary Wharf as well.
The Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark cost £16 each to go inside (combined ticket available) but you can see the outside for free. Keep one eye open for the Observatory's time ball descending at 1pm.
Walk Directions here
t=swc.215
Sunday, 22 January 2023
Sunday Walk: Blackheath to Greenwich or Canary Wharf
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9 at the station, joined later by another 4, makes the number n=13 A w=sunny day, cold out of the sun. There was an attempted breakaway in Greenwich Park. Some of us waited dutifully at the side of the cafe for the others to use the facilities - and waited and waited. They’d only scarpered out the front hadn’t they?
There was a reunion at Wolfe’s statue but this don’t stop one or two stragglers taking the wrong path down the hill only to have to go back up again. (Not L-word lost, just fallen behind). We didn’t catch up till the afternoon.
Those ahead obviously hadn’t heard of dawdling. And there appeared to be little appetite for the museums. When Greenwich was reached, the pubs had no room. I believe most patronised the local shops and sat on the steps near the Cutty Sark. All this put us dangerously ahead of schedule for the Winter Lights.
There was a reunion of sorts at the Space bar on the other side of the river. Then on to the lofty peaks of Canary Wharf, reached an hour too soon for the lights. As far as I know, only 2 hung around to see them. In hindsight, starting an hour later would have worked better. An enjoyable day all the same.
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