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Visit 12 nature reserves along the Green Chain Walk
Take a walk on the wild side
Take a walk on the wildside
This guide introduces you to some of the very best nature and wildlife sites on the Green Chain.
The Wider Landscape Sensitive sites such as these cannot survive in isolation. The wider landscape of the Green Chain - some 2,500 hectares of open space in south east London (the size of 3,400 football pitches!), provides an important role in their survival. As well as acting as a buffer to urban encroachment and the increasing demand for more housing, the Green Chain supports the mobility of wildlife so that alternative sources of food can be found within the wider landscape.
Working together In the future our open spaces will need to be more resilient to threats such as climate change, floods, droughts and sea level rises. The vision of a connected and robust living landscape can only be achieved by organisations working together. Now in its 40th year, the Green Chain was established to protect and enhance these open spaces and our partnership will continue to encourage such cooperation so that present and future generations can discover and enjoy the hidden nature that is on the doorstep.
Take nothing but pictures Twelve of the sites listed are Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) which means they are actively managed to care for and protect the rare plants and animals within it. You will be entering their home, so please respect this by “taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but footprints”.
Each one has something special about it. All have been selected because they are easy to get to by train or bus. As well as maps for each site we have also provided information that will make your visit more interesting.
Now it’s over to you. Whatever the time of year you will find something to delight you. Use the checklist to tick off the sites you have visited and anything that inspired you on your visit!
Crossness page 6 - 7
Lesnes Abbey Woods page 8 - 9
Oxleas Woods page 10 -11
Maryon Wilson Park page 12 - 13
Sutcliffe Park page 14 - 15
Grove Park page 16 - 17
Downham Woodland Walk page 18 - 19
Beckenham Place Park page 20 - 21
Dulwich Upper Wood page 22- 23
Sydenham Hill Wood page 24 - 25
One Tree Hill page 26 - 27
Nunhead Cemetery page 28 - 29
Whyte’s Woodland page 30 - 31
Capital Ring
Capita
l Ring
Capital Ring
HIG
HSTREET
PENGE
CRYSTAL PALACEPARK
ROAD
ANERLEY HILL
LONDON
DULWICH
FOREST
HILL
COMMON
SYDENHAM ROAD
END
ROA
DSO
UT
H
BROMLEYROAD
BROMLEY
HILL
BUR
NT
ASHLANE
CHINBROOK ROAD GROVEPARK
ROAD
SIDCUPROAD
COURTROAD
GR
EEN
LAN
E
FOOTSCRAY
ROAD
ELTHAM HIGH STREET BEXLEY ROADBEXLEY ROAD
BELEGROVE ROAD
SHOOTERS HILL
ACA
DEM
Y RO
AD
WOOLWICH ROAD
CHARL PARK ROADTON
WICKHAM
LANE
BOSTALL HILLWOOLWICH ROAD
ERITH ROAD
EASTERN WAY
Thor
ntre
e
Rd
Woo
lwich
New
Road
Winn
sCommon
Road
Long
leaghLane
Yarton Way
Welling Way
Riefield Road
Sparrows Lane
Southwood Road
Elm
stea
d La
ne
Middle Park Avenue
New Street Hill
Park Avenue
LondonLane
Warren
Avenue
Kin
gsH
all
Road
Lennard
Cat
or R
oad
Thicke
t Roa
d
A214
A21
A21
B219
B238
B318
A205
A2214
A2216
A2216
A2212
A20
A20
A211
A208
A210
A2016
A2016
A206
A207
A206
Pembro
ke Road
The Ridgeway
Thames footpath and
cycle route
AVER
Y
HIL
LRO
AD
A2041
A209
Road
Thames footpath and cycle route
London Loop
Thames footpath and cycle route
Rochester Way
ROAD
CO
LLEGE RO
AD
BelvedereRailway Station
Erith Railway Station
Abbey WoodRailway StationWoolwich Arsenal
Railway StationWoolwich Dockyard
Railway Station
CharltonRailway Station
Eltham Railway Station
Falconwood Railway Station
WellingRailway Station
Mottingham Railway Station
New Eltham Railway Station
Elmstead Woods Railway Station
Sundridge Park Railway Station
Grove ParkRailway Station
Beckenham Hill Railway Station
Ravensbourne Railway Station
Beckenham JunctionRailway Station
New BeckenhamRailway Station
Kent House Railway Station
Penge West Railway Station
Penge East Railway Station
Sydenham Railway Station
Nunhead Railway Station
Brockley Railway Station
Greenwich Railway Station
Crofton Park Railway Station
Honor Oak Park Railway Station
Forest Hill Railway Station
Sydenham Hill Railway Station
Chislehurst Railway Station
Crystal Palace Railway Station
Lower Sydenham Railway Station
North Dulwich Railway Station
West Dulwich Railway Station
DLR
DLR
PlumsteadRailway Station
Thamesmead Riverside
Lesnes Abbey (LNR)
Thames Barrier
Erith
Bostal Woods
East Wickham Open Space
Plumstead Common
Oxleas Wood (LNR)
Charlton Park
Avery Hill Park
New Eltham
Plaistow
DulwichUpperWood
Crossness NatureReserve (LNR)
CrossnessBeam Engine
Crossway Park
Franks Park
BelvedereAbbey Ruins
Bostall Heath
Plumstead Cemetery
Shrewsbury Park
Shooters Hill
Jackwood Oxleas Meadows
Severndroog Castle
Eltham Common
Hornfair Park
Woolwich Common
Gilberts Pit
MaryonWilson Park
Crossway Lake
Manorway Green
Great Bartletts Woods
Eltham Park North
Conduit Meadows University
Campus
Fairy Hill Park
The Tarn Bird Sanctuary
Middle Park
Eltham Palace
Lower MarvelsWood
Marvels Wood
Elmstead Wood
Chinbrook Meadows
Grove Park Nature Reserve
Whytes Woodland
Downham
ElstreeHill
Bell Green
Alexandra Recreation Ground
Southmere Lake
Plumstead
Greenwich
Woolwich
Abbey Wood
Thamesmead
Eltham
Mottingham
Fossil BedHurst Pond
Birchmere Park
Horn Park
Hither Green Cemetery
Beckenham Place Park (LNR)
Cator Park
Southmere Park
Erith Marshes
Sutcliffe Park (LNR)
Shepherdleas Wood
Woolwich Barracks
WoodlandsFarm
Downham Woodland Walk (LNR)
River Thames
SydenhamWells Park
SydenhamHill Wood Na-ture Reserve
Horniman Gardens
Dulwich Village
PeckhamRye Park
Nunhead Cemetery
EastDulwich
Cox’s Walk
Forest Hill
Norwood
One Tree Hill
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3
4
5
6
9
7
8
10
11
12
To help you find your way and make it even easier to visit the Green Chain Walk attractions a pack of twelve weather-proof route cards is available, including illustrated maps, written directions and features of special interest along the way. The pack costs £3.50 including postage and packaging.
To obtain a copy paying by debit/credit card, ring 020 8921 5599 between 9.00 am and 5.30pm. Monday to Thursday or 9.00am - 4.30pm on Friday. For further information call the info line 020 8921 5028 or visit www.greenchain.com.
Give your body and mind a break from the stress of everyday urban life.
The South East London Green Chain with its 12 nature reserves is well served by numerous train stations so visiting these amazing spaces has never been easier.
EASTERN WAY
6 7
Roger - volunteer
“ This site is one of London’s secret gems. As a volunteer I help out with tasks like keeping the pathways open and cutting the reedbeds. It’s incredibly rewarding when you look up and catch sight of a rare bird!”.
Crossness nature reserve is an important oasis for wildlife of all descriptions. A relic of the ancient Thames grazing marshes, its surroundings include grassland, reed beds, ponds and scrubland. These habitats provide homes and feeding areas for water voles as well as resident and migrant birds’ Winter visitors include Redwing and Fieldfare. The site also supports a wide variety of wide habitat and insects including the rare Shrill Carder Bee.
AddressNorman Road Belvedere DA16 6JY
07747 643958 karen.sutton@
thameswater.co.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
Always open
Station
Abbey Wood Belvedere
BusTrain: Abbey Wood
Take the bus 229 from stop G towards ThamesmeadTo: Nickelby Close stop ND and walk through Manorway Green to Thames Path
Crossness Section 1 of the Green Chain Walk
Barn owls have been breeding here since 2005.
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
8 9
Lesnes Abbey is called an ancient woodland, which means it’s been around for over 400 years at least. Within the reserve you will find ponds, glades, lowland heath (very rare in London) and even a fossil bed with sharks teeth! The site is known for its wild spring flowers that include the largest colony of native wild daffodil in SE England together with spectacular displays of Bluebells and Wood Anemones.
AddressAbbey Road, Belvedere, DA17 5DL
020 8303 7777 jparks&openspaces
@bexley.gov.ukwww.visitlesnes.co.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
The site is open at all times.
Station
Abbey WoodBuses
Bus: Take bus B11 from stop E towards Bexleyheath. To: Abbey Road, stop W
Lesnes Abbey Woods
Sandra - Conservation Volunteer
“These days people often feel cut off from nature, especially living in a big city like London. Here at the nature reserve I help out with tasks like coppicing (where you cut the tree back to ground level) and tree planting- it gives me a real sense of satisfaction. Come and join us!”
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Section 1 and 2 of the Green Chain Walk
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
OXLEASMEADOWS
ELTHAMCOMMON
CASTLEWOOD
JACKWOOD
OXLEASWOOD
SHEPHERDLEASWOODS
ROCHESTER
WAY
WELLING WAYROCHESTER
WAY
CROWN
WOODS
LANE
SHOOTERS HILL
KENILW
ORTH
G DN
S
DOVE R
ROAD
WEL
L
HA
LL
ROA
D
10 11
An impressive ancient woodland that features, Hazel, Sweet Chestnut and some very tall Oak trees. It’s managed for nature and is thought by ecologists to be one of the most important sites for wildlife in the whole of London. The woodlands are also home to many different kinds of birds including Nuthatches and Woodpeckers. It also has a huge variety of flowering plants, especially spring-time Bluebells.
AddressThe Oxleas Woods Centre Crown Woods Lane London SE18 3JA
020 8854 6885 parks@royal
greenwich.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
Always open
Station
Falconwood Walk across Rochester Way to enter the nature reserve is opposite - enter via Shepherdleas Wood
Oxleas Woodlands Section 5, 6 and 7 of the Green Chain Walk
“ I really enjoy working in these very special woods, just helping to preserve something that has been here for thousands of years so that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy them.”
Laurie - Conservation volunteer
12 13
AddressThorntree RoadCharlton SE7
020 8921 6885 parks@royal
greenwich.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am to dusk
Station
CharltonBus
Take the bus 380 from stop K at Sundorne Road/Wellington Gardens towards Belmarsh To: Pound Park Road
Maryon Wilson Park Section 5 of the Green Chain Walk
The animal care centre has a wide range of animals to see
“I’m part of a local voluntary group that helps to look after the Maryon Wilson Park nature reserve. We aim to keep it clear from litter and work to improve the environment. It means that visitors see it at its best and it gives us a lot of satisfaction.”
Tim - friend of the park
Maryon Wilson Park is a beautiful park. It contains both informal open grassland and woodlands – all in a valley setting with streams running through the woods. The park has animal enclosures with sheep, ducks, geese, chickens, goats, peacocks and a pig. The largest enclosure features a small herd of deer. There are areas suitable for picnics, animal open days, woodland walks and tree walks. To the north is Gilberts Pit - a geological site of special interest.
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
14 15
AddressEltham Road, Eltham SE9
020 8921 6885 parks@royal
greenwich.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am to dusk
Station
Kidbrooke
Bus
Take the bus B16 from Stop B towards Bexleyheath Bus Garage or bus 178 from stop B towards Lewisham StationTo: Cambert Way
Sutcliffe Park
The park is accessible to wheelchair users.
A legacy of an award-winning flood improvement scheme, Sutcliffe Park has been transformed into one of the most spectacular wetland sites in Greater London. It is rich in wildlife and provides a home for a variety of birds, animals and plants. Depending on your time of visit, you may see Dragonflies, Damselflies, Herons, Little Egrets, Kingfishers and Reed Warblers. The central area of the park - that is, around the flood water collection area - was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2006.
“I love coming here with my Mum and watching the birds take off and land from the lake. When it’s sunny we have a picnic and listen to the birds in the reeds making some strange sounds.”
Afram - aged 11- local residentTransport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
16 17
This site is greatly enjoyed by many local people, whether walking their dogs, picking blackberries and plums, or quietly enjoying a peaceful wild space. The reserve contains a variety of interesting habitats, supporting many plants and animals. It is open all year round so can be enjoyed by anyone at anytime. There is an audio trail and a leaflet available to guide you around the site and a hillside view that may have inspired Railway Children author Edith Nesbit.
Martin - volunteer
“I enjoy working on the reserve, keeping it tidy and accessible for visitors. We also help out with the woodland trails and seating areas, which show off the reserve at its best and makes us feel proud of what we’ve achieved with our partners.”
AddressRailway Children’s Walk off Baring Road Grove Park SE12 0DS
020 8314 2007 nick.pond@
lewisham.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Friday
Always open
Station
Grove ParkBus
Take the bus 261 from Stop L towards LewishamTo: St Mildred’s Road
Grove Park Section 8 of the Green Chain Walk
From station turn left onto Beckenham Hill Road and then turn right into Bromley Road. Walk until you reach the junction with Oakridge Road where the entrance is.
18 19
We have been helping maintain the Woodland Walk for the past 14 years. It is a wonderful place to get away from it all and listen to the birds singing in the trees”.
Downham Woodland Walk is a narrow strip of ancient woodland running through Downham, linking Grove Park Nature Reserve to Beckenham Place Park. It contains some magnificent old oak and ash trees, there are glades of Bluebells in the spring and a wide variety of birds and insects. It is a beautiful, peaceful place to walk the dog and enjoy the sights sounds and smells of nature.
Janet - volunteer
AddressEntry points between Oakridge Rd. and Moorside Rd. running parallel to Whitefoot Lane, Downham.
020 8314 2007 nick.pond@
lewisham.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am - Dusk
Station
Beckenham Hill
Downham Woodland Walk Section 8 of the Green Chain Walk
A pleasant place to walk especially in spring when the woodland flowers bloom.
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
BROMLEY ROAD
20 21
Irene - volunteer
“ I help out in the sensory gardens. The obvious pleasure it gives to visitors is very rewarding, as is watching the beds develop through the seasons.”
This is the largest green space in the borough of Lewisham, covering 96 hectares, with large areas of ancient woodland ideal for informal woodland walks. Beckenham Place Park is very popular for recreation. A visitor centre is open in the mansion house on Sundays and provides information on the park’s history and natural history. The friends group also runs events in the park, including walks and talks.
AddressLewisham, BR3 5BP
020 8314 2007 nick.pond@
lewisham.gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am - Dusk
Station
Beckenham Hill
Beckenham Place Park Section 8 of the Green Chain Walk
The park contains one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Bus Take the bus 54 stop SE on
Beckenham Hill Road towards Elmers End To: Stumps Hill Lane stop on Southend Lane (or walk - the mansion house is a 10 minute walk from the station)
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
22 23
AddressFarquar Rd, London, SE19 1SS
020 8761 6230
dulwich@tcv.org.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am - Dusk
Station
Crystal PalaceBus
Take the bus 157, 358 or 410 from stop P towards Crystal Palace To: Crystal Palace Parade stop C
The Wood is an oasis of calm in a bustling city, a great place to volunteer
Dulwich Upper Wood is an important relic of a much larger area called the Great North Wood. It is ancient woodland with other areas that have re-grown after a major disturbance. Some of its large oaks are more than 350 years old. Bluebells carpet the wood in season, with Primroses, Wood Anemones and Yellow Pimpernel flowering too. There is a good path system and nature trail walk. The warden and volunteers have information on the history, artefacts and natural history.
Dulwich Upper Wood
“I love walking up here with my neighbour and wandering through the trails together. I’m sure it’s therapeutic because I always feel better afterwards!”
Dilpreet - local resident
To Crystal Palace Parade
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
24 25
Hannah - volunteer
“I enjoy the sense of community the wood’s volunteer group offers me. It’s a great place to observe wildlife I wouldn’t normally see.”
Sydenham Hill Wood has been managed by London Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve for over 30 years and is one of the largest remaining fragments of the Great North Wood. A footpath now winds through the wood following the track of the old railway line. The wood has surviving ancient remnants with populations of Wood Anemone, English Bluebell and Woodruff, as well as breeding birds such as Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, and Treecreeper.
AddressEntrances on Crescent Wood Road and Sydenham Hill, SE26 and via Dulwich Wood and Cox’s Walk
020 7252 9186 dgreenwood@
wildlondon.org.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
Open at all times
Station
Forest Hill
Honor Oak Park
Sydenham Hill Wood
The wood is home to over 200 species of trees and flowering plants
Train: Forest HillBus Take the bus 197 from stop D towards Peckham or bus 176 from stop D towards Tottenham Court Road or Route Bus 185 from stop D towards VictoriaTo: Wood Vale stop on Lordship Lane OrTrain: Honor Oak ParkBus Take the Route Bus P4 from stop HA towards BrixtonTo: Wood Vale stop on Lordship Lane
Section 11 of the Green Chain Walk
CRES
CENT WOOD
ROAD
SYDENHAM
HIL
LPECKAMANS
WOOD
DULWICH
COMMO N
(ROAD)
LORDSHIP LANE
COX’S
WALK
26 27
AddressEntrances are on Brenchley Gardens, Honor Oak Park and Honor Oak Rise
020 7525 2000 parks@southwark.
gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
Open at all times
Station
Honor Oak Park The nature reserve is a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Turn right out of the station onto Honor Oak Park (the road) from where the reserve is sign-posted.
One Tree Hill
This is one of the highest points of south London
With amazing views over London, a semaphore station here once signalled the East India Company when ships were sighted in the Channel. The steep hill is wooded with open grassland at the top. The site has many ancient trees with the main ones being hybrid Back-Poplar and London Plane, the result of former landscaping. There are also wild Service Trees and Midland Hawthorns. The ground flora includes Bluebells, Heath Grass and Compact Rush.
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Daniel - local resident
“A volunteer group helps out with conservation and organises events. It’s lovely to have a place like this to relax in the city - you feel connected to nature and the wildlife who have their home here.”
Section 11 of the Green Chain Walk
28 29
Nunhead Cemetery
One of the great Victorian cemeteries of London
The cemetery is a nature reserve that supports a wide range of both native and exotic plants. It’s also a haven for wildlife; and 16 species of butterfly have been found within the cemetery.The reserve also contains examples of the magnificent monuments erected in memory of the most eminent citizens of the day, which contrast sharply with the small, simple headstones marking common or public burials.
Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
Ann - volunteer
“I enjoy working in Nunhead because it has many interesting nooks and corners and there is always someone new to meet and something new to see. My favourite spot is looking towards St. Paul’s from the top of the hill!”
Section 11 of the Green Chain Walk
AddressEntrances are on Linden Grove and Limesford Road
020 7525 2000 parks@southwark.
gov.uk
Opening Monday - Sunday
8am - Dusk
Station
Nunhead The nature reserve is a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Outside the station entrance continue ahead on to Oakdale Road and then turn right on to Linden Grove from where the cemetery is sign-posted
30 31
AddressWalden Road, BR7 5DH
020 8464 3333 landscape.helpdesk
@bromley.gov.uk
Opening 8am - Dusk
Always open
StationMottinghamBus
Take the bus 161 from stop MD towards Chislehurst War MemorialTo: Chislehurst High Street/Albany Road
Whyte’s Woodland Section 9 of the Green Chain Walk
Though not officially designated, this nature reserve is a lovely woodland and bird sanctuary and offers so much we felt it ought to be included. A tranquil piece of woodland right in suburbia, Whyte’s Woodland features old oaks, wildflowers and much wildlife. Watch out for the Parakeets and boating teddy bears - it’s another hidden gem!
“I bring my two grand-children here because it has a fantastic play area, and there are some lovely trails around the woods and in autumn the trees look amazing as they change colour.”
Reginald - local resident Transport for London Journey Planner
For travel information from your home to the nature reserve ring 0343 222 1234 or view journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
For more information 020 8921 5028 or visit www.greenchain.com
South East London Green Chain: The London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Royal Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark working in partnership to safeguard, enhance and promote the Green Chain open spaces for the enjoyment of all
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56
(Zone 2 & 3)
(Zone 2 & 3)
(Zone 2 & 3)
(Zone 1 & 2)
London TravelcardZones 1-6
03/14
Station signposted tothe Green Chain Walk:10 minutes walking
distance or less
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publishers can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or any matter in any way connected with, or arising from, the publishing of this information. Green Chain maps are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the
Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Royal Borough of Greenwich – 1000196952011 © Green Chain Working Party March 2014
12179 May 2014
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