Things to do and see

Cray Riverway - Stage 2, Footscray Meadows to Crayford

Route Guide

These pages describe the route for walkers starting at Foots Cray Meadows and travelling northwards through the Borough of Bexley to the River Thames. The entire walk covers a distance of approximately 10 miles but it is possible to start and finish this walk at various points along its length. This section describes the stage from the northern fringe of Footscray Meadows, via Old Bexley and Hall Place to Crayford.

Foots Cray Meadows to Hall Place

To the north of Foots Cray Meadows the path divides and there is a choice of two routes to Hall Place.

The Eastern Route via Churchfield Wood (approx 3¼ miles)

Turn right at the footbridge and continue along Water Lane. At the end of the lane is situated Loring Hall - 3 originally known as Wollett Hall, which was built about 1760. One of its tenants was Lord Castlereagh, who was the man who planned Napoleon's defeat and set the boundary between USA and Canada. He was also Foreign Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons and Home Secretary, all at the same time. Not surprisingly his mind began to deteriorate through overwork, and he committed suicide in the house in 1822. The name was changed to Loring Hall when it became a university hall of residence. The building is now used as a private nursing home.

Further along the path Joyden's Wood comes into view. This area of mixed woodland is owned by the Woodland Trust.

Although parts of the wood consist of foreign tree species, there are many areas supporting native trees and plants indicative of ancient woods.

On reaching Mount Mascal Stables - 4 the rough track takes you through impressive avenues, firstly of sycamore and then of lime.

The path then follows the perimeter of Churchfield Wood - 5. Most of the trees in the southern part of this small woodland are sycamore and hornbeam. Many of these were felled some years ago and have resprouted from the base forming several large trunks.

Towards the northern end of the woods there are small areas of scrub birch and hazel, along with several tall oak and ash trees. This dense scrub provides shelter for small, timid mammals such as bank voles and shrews. There is also a small area dominated by field maple, a native relative of the sycamore. This tree is indicative of ancient woodland and may well have remained on the site from times when woodland covered the whole region.

Continue along the waymarked route to Hall Place - 6.
The Western Route via Bexley (approx 2 miles)

If choosing to follow the western route, cross over the footbridge. The route takes you across a former gravel extraction site - 7 which has now been filled and is undergoing restoration.

On reaching Bexley High Street you enter the Bexley Conservation Area. Old Bexley is the best remaining example of an original village layout in the Borough, with its winding High Street and distinctive buildings. The purpose of declaring Old Bexley a Conservation Area was to protect and enhance its historic village character. Many environmental improvements have also been carried out by Bexley London Borough. By taking a detour under the railway bridge and continuing along Bexley High Street you can see the Church of St Mary - 8 which is the oldest remaining building and has Norman origins. On top of the tower is an unusual octagonal shingled spire. Standing next to the Church is High Street House built in 1761. Perhaps its most important resident was the noted historian, John Thorpe. His study of the history of West Kent has preserved a record of much that has now disappeared. His mention of the discovery of a Roman mosaic pavement about 1750 at Lullingstone led archaeologists in 1949 to locate and uncover the pavement, and the extensive Roman Villa to which it belonged.

Returning to the waymarked route continue along Bourne Road to Hall Place - 6.

Hall Place to Thames Road (approx 2 miles)

Hall Place - 6 is set in beautiful gardens beside the River Cray. The northern half of the house, of grey masonry, was built around 1540 by Sir John Champneis, former Lord Mayor of London; the south side of red brick, was added approximately a century later by the Austen family. The house then passed into the ownership of the Dashwood family, of the infamous Hell Fire Club, and it was let to a boys' school. Now owned by Bexley Council, and managed by Bexley Heritage Trust, Hall Place is open to the public and houses museum and interpretation galleries, a Tourist Information Centre and Shop, and stages special exhibitions on a wide range of subjects.

The stretch of the River Cray which enters the western edge of Hall Place Gardens provides the ideal habitat for grey wagtails with its fast flowing water and abundance of nest sites on ledges and old walls. Despite their name the adult birds have conspicuous patches of yellow plumage on the rump and breast. They can be seen 'wagging' their tails up and down as they dash about the riverbank chasing insects.

Cray Riverway - Stage 2, Foots Cray to Crayford

Route: Stage 3 >>