Free guided walk - Sunday 7th May

[Ian Bull]

Hullo everyone

Have you ever wondered where the Green Chain Walk goes to as it marches off into the East? All those signposts through Sydenham do point somewhere! At 11.00am on Sunday 7th there's a chance to find out. A free guided walk from from Mottingham station to Severndroog Castle on Shooters Hill, six miles.

I devised this walk for TfL's Walk London project, their description is below and no participant has ever come away disappointed.

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South East London enjoys the Capital's finest landscape thanks to local initiative. Beginning in 1870 and through to the early 1970s huge swathes of countryside were saved from suburban house-building. The result is a great 4,500 acre chain of greenery sweeping through the South Eastern quadrant of the city.
This walk showcases some of the most attractive features of that marvellous asset through its footpath network, the Green Chain Walk, and despite being within London almost 80% of our route is off-road. Indeed, for much of this walk you'd not know that you're in a city, let alone the Metropolis.
We begin in suburban Mottingham and then turn towards London, but instead of meeting High Streets we find ourselves in high fields with splendid and little seen views. This sets the tone for the rest of the walk as we climb towards the densely-wooded Shooters Hill. This is equestrian country, we'll meet many horses and we'll also meet two magnificent houses, Eltham Palace, and Avery Hill. The latter boasts London's largest sub-tropical greenhouses outside of Kew Gardens and we shall pay a visit within. Soon we enter the extensive ancient woodland that crowns our ascent to what is, bar six feet, the highest point in London. Climbing more steeply, our two miles in these woods is punctuated by open meadowland with an enormous vista over Kent and Surrey. This dramatic view impresses all, yet better is to come for nestling within further primordial woodland we find the remarkable Severndroog Castle which will be open for us. From here you can see seven Counties, a breathtaking view matched only by the Shard and a spectacular finish to an enlightening walk. It’s now a conveniently short stroll to buses for home and memories of a day you won’t forget. You'll never think of South East London the same way again!

Please note that our route includes some steep sections and may be muddy in places if it's been raining heavily. A packed lunch is essential and Severndroog Castle charges £2.50 admission. Participants are strongly advised to bring some large carrots!

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• The walk is free and there's no need to book.

• There won't be any trains to Mottingham on Sunday but a good way to get there is a train to Eltham and then the 161, just four stops.

• I'll be arriving at Eltham by rail at 10.40, spot the chap with the fluorescent yellow Green Chain vest.

The walk starts from Mottingham Station at 11.00.

• The walk doesn't include access to Eltham Palace. (£15.90 and worth it.)

• We'll be finished by 5pm.

• Getting back is easy. Trains into London Bridge / Waterloo or Underground at North Greenwich via a short bus journey.

• We won't be overwhelmed so feel free to bring friends. The walk isn't widely publicised.

• Views are good to spectacular so bring binoculars if you have them.

• A few large carrots will add to the fun!

The walk is part of the Get Greenwich walking programme and enjoys the support of the Royal Borough.

In the past I've posted to Sydenham Town about the free guided walks offered by TfL's Walk London project in SE London which I've led for almost 10 years. The popularity of these walks grew to such an extent that I haven't dared mention them here for five years. My thanks to those of you who've made them such a success. Now it's time for a less burgeoning and more sociable walk!

All the best

Ian Bull

[Hissing Syd]

I was really hoping to make this, however a wobbly stomach and and an inflexible schedule have scuppered my plans. I did just want to thank you for posting this here, though - I was unaware of Severndroog Castle, and this all sounds like a potentially fantastic day. Please continue to post again; I didn't want you to think this had been ignored. Hopefully I will make it along on a future walk. Many thanks!

[Ian Bull]

Thanks to 'Hissing Syd' for his kind comments.

We had an excellent walk, thankyou, you can't have anything else in that area. Within a few minutes of leaving Mottingham station one might as well be in the Countryside. As the day progressed the Sun warmed-away the haze and by the time we arrived at Shooters hill the only barrier to the views was the North Downs. As always, the visitors were amazed by Severndroog Castle. It wasn't clear enough to see Windsor Castle but London was laid out as a map before us.

Sydenham Town played a real part in getting these walks off the ground. I'd been using the whole of the 'Green Chain' for a few years when they asked me to become their walk leader in early 2007. That led to TfL's Walk London project asking me to initiate their SE London walks in November 2007. Alas, TfL's publicity was ineffective and after walks with barely any company through 2008 I decided to take publicity into my own hands. So I joined this forum, those neighbouring, and it worked. (ST has, by-far, always generated the most interest.)

I'd helped to plan the Green Chain's extension from Crystal Palace to Nunhead and the turning point for the walks came in January 2010 when I offered a preview of the walk via this forum etc. Ninety nine people turned-up including regular contributors such as Tim Lund and 'Falcor'. A memorable day. From that time on these narrated walks became more and more popular until I didn't dare advertise them any longer.

In more recent years TfL's mailing list has grown and every walk is now well attended. TfL's booking system isn't brilliant and many who'd like to learn a little more of an area miss-out despite there being comfortable room for them.

I can offer two ways out of this.

• First, I do keep a private mailing list for my 'Busman's holiday' walks such as yesterdays. Send me a PM if interested as not all are in ST's catchment area.
• Second, as the TfL walks always have spare space I could invite everyone to participate irrespective of the 'Fully Booked' notice on their website. Hmmmm....

http://www.walklondon.org.uk/walks/gree ... t-popular/

http://www.walklondon.org.uk/walks/superb-landscape/

There, I didn't say anything did I? :-)
I look forward to seeing many of you again or for the first time.

September sees the 10th anniversary of the walk that started it all and led to a lot of fun for over 3,000 participants in SE London, the ridiculously named Green Chain Megawalk. It's 21.5 miles from Crystal Palace to Erith. That's one I'll definitely be mentioning here and yes, you can do it!

All the best - Ian