Green Chain Walk
The South East London Green Chain Walk
Back in 1977 four London Boroughs and the Greater London Council got together to create 'The South East London Green Chain'. Today there are nearly 300 Green Chain Open Spaces which include some of the finest landscapes in South East London and cover an area seven times as large as the City of London itself. That's the same as about 2500 football pitches.
Protecting Our Environment
Creating the Green Chain has helped to protect and improve our open spaces so helping to prevent further building taking place.
Green Chain representatives from the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham work hard behind the scenes to ensure that our open spaces and the wildlife they attract will be around for us all to enjoy, both today and in the future.
Our Green and Pleasant Land
On the Green Chain you will discover everything from allotments and school playing fields through to the splendour of ancient woodlands and majestic parklands. You can picnic in flower-filled meadows, stroll through formal gardens or even visit a farm just seven miles from the City!
The Green Chain plays host to an abundance of wildlife, so if you're quiet and keep your eyes peeled who knows what you might be lucky enough to see! Squirrels, voles and foxes are Green Chain regulars, as are woodpeckers and jays, and don't be surprised if you catch sight of the odd ring-necked parakeet - a permanent guest from more exotic lands!
Step Back in Time
The Green Chain is steeped in history. Tread in royal footsteps as you cross the moat bridge in Eltham Palace. Pass through Shooters Hill and woods that were once the hideout of Dick Turpin and his partners in crime. Gaze upon the Jacobean splendour of Charlton House or let your mind rebuild the ruins of Lesnes Abbey. Marvel at the tropical delights of Avery Hill's glass Winter Garden or hunt for dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park. Then again, if it's modern history that interests you, why not visit the largest flood barrier in the world and learn how and why it was built – that's history in the making!
Be a Sport
For the more energetic amongst us the Green Chain is just perfect. Whether it's a Sunday morning run, kicking a ball around with the kids of getting lost on an orienteering course, you can do it all on the Green Chain. In fact, whatever your sport and whatever your standard, the Green Chain has something for you: golf, tennis, soccer, athletics, rugby and even swimming.
But don't forget, you don't have to be Superman or Wonder Woman to do yourself some good - even a simple stroll is great for your health.
The Green Chain Walk
Today a 40-mile network of footpaths link together many of the Green Chain open spaces. The entire network is well signposted to help you find your way and to make it easier still there are detailed route guides.
Starting from three points on the River Thames, the footpaths thread their way through a sixteen and a half mile long green corridor to Crystal Palace Park.
Whether it's a half-mile stroll you fancy or a more vigorous exploration of the greener side of capital life, the Green Chain has something for you. There are plenty of opportunities for choosing circular walks that start and finish in the same place. Alternatively, why not try a linear route and use public transport to get to and from either end of your walk.
The Green Chain is within easy walking distance of over 15 railway stations and is served by countless bus routes!
Click on the image below to view a printable map of the whole of the South-East London Green Chain Walk.
N.B. The map is a 162KB file which should not
take more than about a minute to download.
 Click
here to visit the Green Chain Walk's official website, including a detailed
area-by-area map of the Walk.
|
