Bluebells in the Evening (III) - Beckenham Place Park (Ravensbourne to Beckenham Hill)

COVID 19

Track-and-Trace: please provide email address or mobile phone number at the start

Rule of Six: from start to finish please, and up to May 16

 

 

Length: 4.9 km (3.0 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 70/82m

Net Walking Time: ca. 1 ¼ hours 

Toughness: 1 out of 10

 

Take the 18.16 Thameslink stopping service from London Blackfriars to Sevenoaks (calls Elephant, Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye 18.31, Nunhead, …, Catford 18.40, …, arrives Ravensbourne 18.47. 

[From LBG: 18.16 Hayes (Kent) train (fast to Ladywell 18.25) to Catford Bridge (18.27), walk across to Catford.]

Return trains from Beckenham Hill: xx.00 and xx.30 (to Blackfriars). Both stations are in Zone 4.

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. Recent major investments in the landscaping of the park have spawned some interesting new features: A Mounded Garden, a Wet Woodland, a Wild Swimming Lake and the replanted Ornamental Garden with its beautiful café in the former homestead of the mansion (but not open in the evening). There is a late bar (that should be open) and another daytime café as well, both in the Palladian Beckenham Place Mansion. 

Please keep to the main paths in the woods– especially during bluebell season – unless where stated.

For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.46