Route Section

Capital Ring

Section 15 (Beckton District Park to Woolwich Foot Tunnel)

Description:

Capital Ring section 15 is now fully open round the riverside to North Woolwich: it crosses two locks with a steep drop, not for the faint hearted or those with small children perhaps. The temporary diversion along the Sir Steve Redgrave bridge remains available as an alternative. Beware the signage has not yet been fully amended as at June 09.

Beckton District Park leads on through New Beckton Park to the Dockland Light Railway's ultramodern station at Cyprus.

It is well worth making a diversion to see the vast expanse of the Royal Albert Dock (now devoid of shipping but a well used watersports centre) and a row of colourful circular student apartments with butterfly wing roofs. There are also cafes here. To reach the Royal Albert Dock waterfront continue along the bridge link over the DLR and through the University of East London buildings.

Opposite is London City Airport whose flight path you will soon pass under - but do not fear as all aircraft that use it must have engines that are relatively quiet. After retracing your steps to Cyprus station, you cross the modern road bridge carrying Woolwich Manor Way over the Royal Albert Dock, then pass the King George V Dock (also no longer in commercial use) and its entrance lock.

Follow the dockside and take the path leading up to the bridge. Either turn right to take a shortcut along the Steve Redgrave Bridge, or cross over to carry on towards the River Thames, turning left on the other side of the road and first right on the Gallions roundabout along Atlantis Avenue. At the end you will find the river. Turn right along the river and then follow a quiet road for a short while before crossing two sets of locks before regaining the river again further along.

Another great expanse of water awaits around the corner, when you follow the river wall beside the Thames and past North Woolwich station to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel, which takes you under the Thames back to Capital Ring Section 1 at Woolwich. There are lifts (which normally operate Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5.30pm), but purists may prefer to use the spiral staircases, consisting of 126 steps on the north side and 101 on the south side.

The footsore can use the Woolwich Free Ferry, but they will not then be able to claim to have completed the Capital Ring on foot!

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Barking and Dagenham
Greenwich
Newham

Distance:

4.1 miles ( 6.6 km)

Start:

Beckton District Park (Stansfeld Road, GR 422-811)

Finish:

Woolwich Foot Tunnel (south side, GR 432-793)

Recommended direction:

Northwest to southeast

Terrain and surface:

Almost entirely level on tarmac paths or pavements. No stiles. 1.6km (1.0ml) beside roads

Temporary Diversions:

There are daytime closures of the Woolwich Foot Tunnel while this is refurbished, lasting until March 2011. The Woolwich Ferry boat service provides an alternative. More information: http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/Travel/TravelNews/river-crossings-remain.htm

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs and cafes at Cyprus and North Woolwich. Public toilets at North Woolwich

Public transport and breakpoints:

DLR: Royal Albert, Beckton Park, Cyprus, Gallions Reach
Rail: North Woolwich, Woolwich Arsenal
Buses: at all stations above
Woolwich Free Ferry

Links with other walks:

Thames Path Southeast Extension

Map required:

Explorer 162

Principal promoters:

London Walking Forum, LB Newham, LB Greenwich

Access information:

Most of the section is level with a hard surface, but some short stretches of the river wall have a rough surface and steps. This can be avoided by walking along the Woolwich Manor Way.

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