Transport for LondonRoute details
Green Chain Walk: Section 5 Thames Barrier via Charlton Park to Oxleas Meadows
| Walk facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4.2 miles (6.7 km) |
| Location: | Greenwich |
| Start: | Thames Barrier (GR 416-793) Get there with Journey Planner |
| Finish: | Oxleas Meadows (GR 439-762) |
| Factor: | Green Chain Walk: Section 5 Thames Barrier via Charlton Park to Oxleas Meadows |
| Recommended direction: | Northwest to southeast |
| Terrain and surface: | Mainly level but hilly at first with some steep slopes and one very long flight of steps (with avoiding alternative). Mixture of tarmac paths, pavements, grass and rough paths and tracks. No stiles. 1.1km (0.7ml) beside roads |
| Points of Interest: | River Thames, Thames Barrier, Maryon Park, Gilbert's Pit, Cox's Mount, Maryon Wilson Park, Charlton Park, Charlton House, Hornfair Park, Woolwich Common, Eltham Common, Severndroog Castle, Jack Wood, Oxleas Meadows |
| Signage: | Complete. Logo: 'a linked G-C' and text 'Green Chain Walk' |
| Temporary Diversions: | |
| Refreshments and toilets: | Pubs at Woolwich Road, Charlton Village and Shooters Hill. Cafes at Thames Barrier, Charlton Village, Charlton House and Oxleas Meadows. Public toilets at Thames Barrier, Maryon Park, Charlton House and Oxleas Meadows |
| Public transport and breakpoints: | NR: Charlton, Falconwood. Buses at these points plus Woolwich Road, Thorntree Road, Charlton Village and Shooters Hill. Riverbuses at Thames Barrier |
| Links with other walks: | Thames Path National Trail, Thames Path Southeast Extension, Capital Ring, Green Chain Walk Sections 3 and 4 |
| How to get the map: | Download it from www.walklondon.org.uk or call 0870 240 6094 |
| Principal promoters: | LB Bexley, LB Bromley, LB Greenwich, LB Lewisham |
Walk details:
- One of the hilliest GCW sections, shared with Section 1 of the Capital Ring, but with outstanding views and surroundings.
- From the Thames Barrier (on the Thames Path National Trail and Thames Path Southeast Extension) a winding path leads through a narrow park to Woolwich Road.
- After this gentle start you have a choice of routes, both involving a long flight of steps.
- One climbs 73 steps part way up Cox's Mount into Gilbert's Pit, where sand used to be mined for house floors before the days of carpets.
- A short diversion up the Mount involving 50 more steps gives a breathtaking view taking in the River Thames, Thames Barrier, Millennium Dome and The Valley (home of Charlton Athletic Football Club).
- The other route goes through Maryon Park and up a flight of 106 steps, which can be avoided on a short signed alternative along less steeply climbing streets.
- An almost continuous succession of parks and open spaces follows.
- Maryon Wilson Park contains a deer park and animal farm.
- You skirt Charlton Park with an impressive view of Charlton House, said to be one of the finest examples of a Jacobean mansion in Britain - it is open to visitors if you feel so inclined.
- The rather bland Hornfair Park leads on to wide open Woolwich Common, where you pass the Royal Military Academy, training ground of some of the great generals of British history.
- After crossing busy Shooters Hill you climb into wooded Eltham Common and Castle Wood, passing the strangely named Severndroog Castle, actually the summerhouse of the former estate of Eltham Park.
- Finally you pass through Jack Wood to Oxleas Meadows and the junction with GCW 3 and 4.
- There are short links to GCW 6 and 7, and to Falconwood station via GCW 3 through Oxleas Wood.
