The Green Chain Walk is one of SE London’s best-known walking routes – but a chance to explore a little-known “missing” section of the route is on offer this month.
The network of walking routes was first developed in the 1970s as part of a collaboration between neighbouring boroughs. It has been expanded over the decades to take in sights including the Thames Barrier, Lesnes Abbey Woods, Oxleas Woods, Eltham Palace, Beckenham Place Park and Nunhead Cemetery.
A section from Charlton towards Crystal Palace Park now forms part of the circular Capital Ring route around inner London.
But while one walk – from Eltham Palace to Greenwich Park – was mapped out and approved as part of the Green Chain when it was first conceived in 1976, the signs were never erected and the section never officially opened.
Walkers will get their chance to try it out for themselves – with a guide so they don’t get lost – this Saturday and on Saturday September 13 as part of the Green Chain Walking Festival, run by Inner London Ramblers to show off the delights of the network, which stretches from Dulwich to Erith.
The missing section starts at King John’s Walk, behind Eltham Palace, and passes through Queenscroft Park, Sutcliffe Park, Kidbrooke Green Park and Blackheath to reach Greenwich Park and Cutty Sark Gardens, ending at the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Walkers who fancy trying it without a guide can download instructions for Section 12 on the Inner London Ramblers website.
To book free tickets for the walks, visit the Green Chain Walking Festival website.
Follow The Greenwich Wire on Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads. You can also sign up for WhatsApp alerts – or subscribe to our emails through the blue box above.
You must be logged in to post a comment.