Route Section

Green Chain Walk

Section 6 (Oxleas Woods to Mottingham)

Description:

A relatively gentle GCW section, whose route is shared with Sections 1 and 2 of the Capital Ring.

From Oxleas Wood (at the junction with GCW 3) it follows rough paths and tracks through Shepherdleas Wood (where GCW 7 provides an alternative route to Mottingham) and Eltham Park North.

You pass the Long Pond, frequented by waterbirds, and a signed link with Falconwood station. A broad, level footbridge over the A2 Rochester Road (where the Capital Ring's Section 1 hands over to Section 2) takes you into Eltham Park South, where a tarmac path leads to Eltham itself.

A short, rough path through Conduit Meadow passes first a signed link to GCW 7 in Avery Hill Park then Conduit Head, a vaulted red-brick structure where the flow of water from springs was once controlled to feed the moat of Eltham Palace. Residential roads parallel to the High Street lead to the palace, which from the 14th to 16th centuries was the equivalent of Windsor Castle, being the royal out-of-town residence. The Great Hall and moat survive from those times, and the palace is open to the public.

An ancient track called King John's Walk leads down to Mottingham, passing the end of GCW 7 (link to Mottingham station). You cross a railway line by stepped footbridge, then the A20 Sidcup Road, to reach Mottingham Lane and the junction with GCW 8 and 9.

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Bromley
Greenwich

Distance:

3.9 miles ( 6.2 km)

Start:

Oxleas Wood (GR 442-760)

Finish:

Mottingham Lane (GR 418-731)

Recommended direction:

Northeast to southwest

Terrain and surface:

Mostly level with some short, gentle slopes and one stepped footbridge. Evenly split between tarmac paths or pavements and rough paths or tracks. No stiles. 1.9km (1.2ml) beside roads

Signage:

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

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Falconwood, Eltham and Mottingham. Cafes at Eltham. Public toilets at Eltham and Mottingham

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Falconwood, Mottingham
Buses: at stations above plus Eltham and Middle Park Avenue

Links with other walks:

Capital Ring Sections 1 and 2, Green Chain Walk Sections 3, 7, 8 and 9

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

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