Distance: Approximately
5 or 6 miles or 9 or 10 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 1 out of 10
Meet: Outside Hayes Rail Station at
19:08 (18:27 Southeastern Hayes bound train from London Cannon
Street (18:31 London Bridge and 18:43 Lewisham))
Return: Return
trains every 15 minutes alternating between Charing Cross and Cannon Street
(all via London Bridge) until about 23:00
This short walk crosses three traditional commons
historically used for supplying wood and follows part of the River Ravensbourne
which joins the Thames at Deptford….It looks possible to shorten the walk a bit
by cutting out the final loop around Keston Common if we run short on time….Given
its proximity to London, I thought it would make for a nice evening walk with a
rural feel…
There are two pubs on the edge of Hayes Common
for refreshments…..plus one back in Hayes near the station….so we shall not
perish from thirst….
Enjoy the walk!
T=swc.281
3 comments:
There has been some forestry work in Padmall Wood: A large portion of a chestnut wood has been razed to the ground. Last time I did this walk (last winter) the right fork at point 23 has been destroyed. If it has not been restored just continue straight: A few minutes later you can pick up the instructions at the gnarly oak at point 25.
I don’t know this wood, but sweet chestnut is often coppiced - ie cut to the ground to harvest the wood. It looks a bit shocking, but it grows back. This is an ancient woodland management technique and it encourages biodiversity, with lots of woodland insects and butterflies thriving in an environment with some mature trees and some open spaces.
n=14 on a w=lovely-warm-summer-evening stroll through ancient woodland speckled with various water features. I had never done this walk and it is a real little gem on the outskirts of London -- worked very nicely as a rural evening walk and would likewise be a nice afternoon outing...It wanders through various bits of ancient woodland and follows the River Ravensbourne to its source. When we magically emerged on a common with 2 pubs (one of which was open) some discussion was had whether we had the time to stop for drink and still finish before dark -- following which, all but 2 stopped and enjoyed a beverage (or 2) in the front garden on the common.....after which, 3 opted to try their luck with an uber (or similar) back to Hayes and the remaining 9 carried on with the walk in the safe hands of the walk creator who navigated us back to Hayes through the woods in the deepening darkness....with one stop in a clearing to admire Jupiter and Saturn...in nice alignment...Back in Hayes just after 10pm...and on the 10:15 back towards London...
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