Transport for LondonRoute details
Green Chain Walk: Section 8 Mottingham via Downham to Beckenham Place Park
| Walk facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4.4 miles (7.1 km) |
| Location: | Bromley, Lewisham |
| Start: | Mottingham Lane (GR 418-731) Get there with Journey Planner |
| Finish: | Beckenham (Southend Road GR 375-707) or Grove Park Cemetery (GR 416-713) |
| Factor: | Green Chain Walk: Section 8 Mottingham via Downham to Beckenham Place Park |
| Recommended direction: | Northeast to southwest |
| Terrain and surface: | Mostly level but with some gentle and some steep slopes and a stepped footbridge. Evenly split between tarmac paths or pavements and rough paths or tracks. No stiles. 2.6km (1.6ml) beside roads |
| Points of Interest: | Chinbrook Meadows, Hither Green Nature Reserve, Downham Woodland Walk, Beckenham Place Park and Mansion, River Ravensbourne |
| Signage: | Complete. Logo: 'a linked G-C' and text 'Green Chain Walk' |
| Temporary Diversions: | |
| Refreshments and toilets: | Pubs at Mottingham, Grove Park and Beckenham Place Park. Cafes at Grove Park, Downham and Beckenham Place Park. Public toilets at Mottingham, Grove Park, Downham and Beckenham Place Park |
| Public transport and breakpoints: | NR: Mottingham, Grove Park, Beckenham Hill. CTL: Beckenham Junction. Buses at all these points plus Downham and Southend Road |
| Links with other walks: | Capital Ring Sections 2 and 3, Green Chain Walk Sections 6, 9 and 10 |
| 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:
- Although there are few large open spaces along this section, it manages to follow a reasonably green route through the suburbs in partnership with Section 2 of the Capital Ring.
- Leaving the junction with GCW 6 and 9 at Mottingham Lane, it shortly passes the home of ace cricketer W G Grace, then follows a long path between former hospital grounds and playing fields.
- At Marvels Lane a spur of GCW 8 heads south beside the Chin Brook through Chinbrook Meadows, then with a steep climb meets GCW 9 again beside Grove Park Cemetery.
- Meanwhile, the main line of GCW 8 turns west past Grove Park.
- A path leads across a footbridge over the busy railway line at Hither Green, passing a nature reserve, then you follow residential roads for a while to join the Downham Woodland Walk, which angles pleasantly through a narrow band of trees to Downham.
- Soon you enter Beckenham Place Park, where the route crosses the River Ravensbourne then follows a long, bucking and snaking route through the park, passing the west end of GCW 9.
- Eventually you reach Beckenham Place Mansion, now used as a clubhouse for the popular golf course, and with a cafe, bar and toilets open to the public.
- The section finishes on the far side of the park on Southend Road, where GCW 10 starts.
