Route Section

Green Chain Walk

Section 9 (Mottingham or Chislehurst to Beckenham Place Park)

Description:

An alternative to GCW 8 between Mottingham and Beckenham Place Park, also providing a link with Chislehurst. From Mottingham Lane (GCW 6 and 8, also Section 2 of the Capital Ring) the route follows roads passing the extensive Eltham College. It then crosses playing fields on grass to enter Lower Marvels Wood, climbing steadily, and on up to Marvels Wood and Elmstead Woods.

Meanwhile, the spur from Chislehurst, having started high up beside pretty Prickend Pond, follows a more level route along the High Street then through Whyte's Woodland into Elmstead Woods to join the main route. This continues beside Grove Park Cemetery, where a spur of GCW 8 comes in from Marvels Lane, then crosses a railway line on a level footbridge to descend New Street Hill.

A long footpath climbs gently among trees beside Sundridge Park Golf Course. This is followed by a fairly long stretch along residential roads, and you eventually descend past playing fields to cross the River Ravensbourne. A residential estate of unmade roads takes you past Ravensbourne station into Beckenham Place Park, where you rejoin GCW 8 and Section 3 of the Capital Ring.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Marvels and Elmstead Wood

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Bromley
Lewisham

Distance:

4.2 miles ( 6.8 km)

Start:

Mottingham Lane (GR 418-731) or Chislehurst (Prickend Pond, GR 439-708)

Finish:

Beckenham Place Park (GR 383-706)

Recommended direction:

Northeast to southwest

Terrain and surface:

Mainly level with some long gentle slopes and short steeper ones. Mixture of pavements and rough paths, tracks or grass. No stiles. 3.6km (2.2ml) beside roads

Signage:

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

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs at Mottingham, Chislehurst, Sundridge Park and Beckenham Place Park. Cafes at Chislehurst and Beckenham Place Park. Public toilets at Mottingham, Chislehurst and Beckenham Place Park

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Mottingham, Chislehurst, Elmstead Woods, Sundridge Park, Ravensbourne
Tram: Beckenham Junction
Buses: at stations above plus Bromley Hill

Links with other walks:

Green Chain Walk Sections 6 and 8, Capital Ring Sections 2 and 3

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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