Route Section

Green Chain Walk

Section 4 (Charlton Park to Bostall Woods or Oxleas Meadows)

Description:

A 'short cut' from Charlton Park to Bostall Woods, avoiding Oxleas Wood but passing through one of the hidden gems of southeast London, namely Plumstead Common.

From Charlton Park the section starts with a long stretch beside fairly busy roads. However, it is not without interest as you walk beside the ha-ha (sunken wall) of the military training ground of the Royal Artillery Barracks, whose impressive 100m long facade can be seen in the distance. Also visible is its Rotunda, which houses a Museum of Artillery.

Plumstead Common is delightful. First there are some small open spaces on undulating ground, then the main part stretching away to your right is dominated by the mock Tudor clocktower of the RACS Links Building. Further on is The Slade, one of several small ravines caused by landslips in this area, which are havens for wildlife. (If you follow the southward branch, The Slade requires a short diversion.) GCW 4 divides at Plumstead Common. One branch continues eastward, passing through The Slade with 90 steps down and 99 steps up. You cross Winns Common and Bleak Hill, then descend steeply into Great Bartlett Wood and across Wickham Lane. The route climbs steeply into Bostall Woods, but levels out to meet GCW 2 and 3 at Longleigh Lane. The other branch heads southward, climbing sharply with two long flights of steps up to Shrewsbury Park, where you have fine views across the Thames.

At Eaglesfield Recreation Ground you reach the summit of Shooters Hill at altitude 130m (427ft) with extensive views to the east into Kent. Nearby rises a distinctive water tower, visible for miles around. After crossing Shooters Hill you follow a quiet lane down to Oxleas Meadows to meet GCW 3 and 5. There are short links to GCW 6 and 7 and to Falconwood station via Section 3 through Oxleas Wood.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Oxleas Woodlands

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Greenwich

Distance:

3.6 miles ( 5.8 km)

Start:

Charlton Park (GR 421-778)

Finish:

Bostall Woods (GR 471-779) or Oxleas Meadows (GR 439-762)

Recommended direction:

Charlton Park to Bostall Woods: west to east. Plumstead Common to Oxleas Meadows: north to south

Terrain and surface:

Fairly level from Charlton Park to Plumstead Common with some short slopes. Undulating elsewhere with some fairly steep slopes. Mixture of tarmac paths, pavements, rough tracks or paths and grass. No stiles. 2.0km (1.3ml) beside roads

Signage:

Complete. Logo: 'a linked G-C' and text 'Green Chain Walk'

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Charlton Village, Plumstead Common and Shooters Hill. Cafes at Charlton Village and Plumstead Common. Public toilets at Charlton Park, Plumstead Common, Bostall Woods and Oxleas Meadows

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Falconwood
Buses: Charlton Village, Ha-Ha Road, Plumstead Common, Wickham Lane, Longleigh Lane, Bostall Hill, Shooters Hill

Links with other walks:

Green Chain Walk Sections 2,3 and 5, Capital Ring Section 1

Map required:

Explorer 162 (route marked) Green Chain route guide (£3.50) (This can be ordered from the South East London Green Chain on 020 8921 5876 or www.greenchain.com)

Principal promoters:

LB Bexley, LB Bromley, LB Greenwich, LB Lewisham

Access information:

A 150m stretch across level grass in Charlton Park can be avoided by starting in Cemetery Lane. There are some short but steepish slopes in the early part of Plumstead Common. Long flights of steps may make a descent in The Slade impractical, but it can be seen to advantage from the top by Plumstead Common Road. Beyond Plumstead Common there are some long and very steep slopes, flights of steps and mostly uneven ground.

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