visit 12 nature reserves along the green chain walk take a ... · pdf filevisit 12 nature...

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

1

2

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


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!”



Section 1 and 2 of the Green Chain Walk



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


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


greenwich.gov.uk


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.



14 15

AddressEltham Road, Eltham SE9


greenwich.gov.uk


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




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


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.



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


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



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)



22 23

AddressFarquar Rd, London, SE19 1SS

020 8761 6230

[email protected]


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



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


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


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.



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.”


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.



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!”


AddressEntrances are on Linden Grove and Limesford Road

020 7525 2000 parks@southwark.

gov.uk


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 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

1

2

3

4

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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