Route Section

Green Chain Walk

Section 10 (Beckenham Place Park to Crystal Palace Park)

Description:

The intricacies of the previous nine GCW sections lead to this final single thrust with no complications. It is the least green section, but offers much of interest.

Together with Section 3 of the Capital Ring, it takes over from GCW 9 at Southend Road and descends into the valley of the Pool River, passing graceful St Paul's Church and, via a ramped subway, New Beckenham station.

The route then describes a horseshoe around the attractive Cator Park, crossing the Waterlink Way. More roadwalking, broken by small open spaces, leads to Penge, where you pass both East and West stations, then enter Crystal Palace Park.

This, the westernmost point of the Southeast London Green Chain, is one of the jewels in its crown, a very popular haunt for South Londoners, with its lakes, fantastically unreal dinosaurs, animal farmyard and heritage trails. You must climb fairly steeply to reach the end of the route and, by continuing along Section 4 of the Capital Ring, Crystal Palace station.

Interesting Places on or near the route:

Crystal Palace

Boroughs which the route passes through:

Bromley

Distance:

3.6 miles ( 5.8 km)

Start:

Beckenham (Southend Road, GR 375-707)

Finish:

Crystal Palace Park (GR 344-705)

Recommended direction:

East to west

Terrain and surface:

Mainly level with some short steepish slopes and a stepped footbridge. Entirely on tarmac or pavements. No stiles. 3.5km (2.2ml) beside roads

Signage:

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

Temporary Diversions:

None

Refreshments and toilets:

Pubs and cafes at Penge and Crystal Palace. Cafe and public toilets in Crystal Palace Park

Public transport and breakpoints:

Rail: Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham, Kent House, Penge East, Penge West, Crystal Palace
Tram: Beckenham Junction, Beckenham Road Buses: at all stations above plus Southend Road

Links with other walks:

Capital Ring Sections 3 and 4, Green Chain Walk Section 8, Waterlink Way

Map required:

Explorer 161 (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:

This section is mostly level, on tarmac paths or pavements all the way. The first 200m descend Stumps Hill Lane quite steeply. A stepped footbridge at Penge East station can be avoided by diverting at Lennard Road for some 600m via Parish Lane, Penge Lane, Queen Adelaide Road and St John's Road. The final steep uphill slope in Crystal Palace Park can be avoided by diverting via the athletics stadium approach road, or you can just return to the gate you came in by.

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