Falconwood to Grove Park

Departing from Falconwood: Nadia, Delfin, Penelope, Radha, Elvira and Joshua.

We almost didn’t do the walk on this first day of autumn. There were serious weather warnings, but we thought we’d take a chance. By the time we got to London Bridge train station, on the way to Falconwood, people had their umbrellas out. Elvira arrived to join us at London Bridge after running a 10k race!

By the time we got to Falconwood Station (where we stopped on the previous walk), it was what we would call in the west of Ireland a ‘soft day’, and so we decided to head out.

This was the biggest group yet, because Joshua Castellino and Elvira Dominguez and their two children, Radha and Delfin, joined us. And a little later, en route, we were met by Eadaoin and Tom, so we were nine.

At full strength, with Eadaoin and Tom.

We walked through Eltham Park and surroundings for about 2 km until we met up with Eadaoin and Tom. One of Eltham’s claims to fame is being the birthplace of Bob Hope!

On one of the trails there was a hollow oak, a bit of a landmark, and Delfin crawled into it. There is an interesting old building called Conduit Head which was the original water supply for nearby Eltham Palace.

Delfin in the hollow oak.

Indeed, it was Eltham Palace that was the highlight of this walk. We weren't allowed to take photographs, but there are loads on the Palace website.

Built many hundreds of years ago, it was used by Royals for centuries before being trashed during the revolution in the 17th century.  It was used as a farm, and barely saved from total destruction.

Then, in the early century it was obtained by the wealthy Courtauld family, who built a gorgeous art deco mansion on the land. The surviving part of the palace is the magnificent great hall, which adjoins the more modern building.

We planned to stop there only for a bit of lunch, but when we finished our meal it was pouring outside and so we decided to visit the palace. Beautiful and quite eccentric, it is in marvelous condition, having been restored a decade or so ago by the English Heritage.

Penelope, on the bridge to the palace.

It felt as if one of the Agatha Christie shows had been filmed here. And sure enough, several of them were in fact set in the palace. Nadia found a tour of the palace on the internet, narrated by David Suchet.

We hesitated about continuing with the walk, because although the rain had subsided somewhat, it was still rather wet. Finally, though, we decided to go ahead, and we didn’t regret it. The route follows by several stables. At one point there is a fabulous view of the London skyline. It was misty and grey, but the beautiful new Shard poked up into the skies.

Grove Park train station, wet and weary.

Joshua got a bit of a thrill as we passed the home of T.G. Grace, a famous cricketer (none of the rest of us had ever heard of him).

The route ends at Grove Park Station. We were all a bit damp, but none the worse for wear, and headed home on the train and the tube. On our next walk we will cross the meridian in south London and proceed to the Crystal Palace. We’ve done seven of the fifteen walks now.

It's great fun, even in the rain!

Woolwich to Falconwood

After a summer recess, today we resumed our walks around London. We started where we had left off in May, at Woolwich Arsenal station. It is on the south side of the Thames. This is where we crossed the river on our last walk, through the pedestrian tunnel. There was lots going on in Woolwich today because events of the Paralympics are being held nearby.

Woolwich Market, but closed today

We walked along the river in the direction of the centre of London for perhaps a kilometer, up to the flood barrier. Then we headed more or less due south. I’d been warned that this would be pretty dull going, with little of cultural interest and nowhere interesting to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. 

How wrong that advice was! We walked for about 10 km, essentially through continuous parkland. It was gorgeous. There were a few dog walkers but little in the way of crowds. The scenery was varied, with beautiful trees and wildflowers, a few historic old buildings, and some delightful places to stop for coffee and a bite to eat.

Four dogs per walker

Visiting mother goose

From the Thames, the path goes into Maryon Park and then to Maryon Wilson Park. These parks were apparently formed from sandpits, which provided the floors for London kitchens a few centuries ago. There is a children’s zoo which is very charming.

Old Cottage Coffee Shop near Charlton House

The route proceeds to Charlton House, built in 1612 and said to be one of the best examples of Jacobean architecture left in London. We didn’t stop at the House, but in the park where it is located is a lovely café. They were serving salt beef sandwiches, and I was certainly tempted, but satisfied myself with an espresso and a glance at the Sunday papers. There was a cricket match going on in the park that we watched while we had our coffee.

Then the trail crosses the Woolwich Commons, where we saw a field full of wild sweet peas. Then it works its way to Shooters Hill. There is quite a climb. Shooters Hill is mentioned in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, where he speaks of coaches lumbering up the road. It is also referred to in Pickwick Papers. Apparently it was a favorite lair of highwaymen. Pepys refers to gibbets of those who were caught.

Severndroog Castle

From there, the path goes to the Oxleas Woodlands, climbing again to a high point of land where Severndroog Castle is located. The castle is boarded shut, but it still makes an impressive site. It was built as a memorial to Commodore Sir William James, who captured a fortress in India on the Malabar coast in a campaign against piracy. I expect that the Indians have another version of this story.

Nadia and Penelope relaxing near the rose garden

From the castle, the path goes down some rugged steps to a rose garden, part of which is rather neglected and part maintained and very lovely. Then it leads to the Oxleas Meadows where there is a café atop the hill. It has a fabulous view to the south. The food was just good enough – omelets, beans and chips, that sort of thing – but the setting made up for this. I was reminded of the joy of these walks, which involve discovering places in London we would never know otherwise. I expect that few people from outside the immediate neighbourhood know of this place to have brunch on Sunday.

View from the cafe where we had lunch.

Then, it is a short walk through the Shepherdleas Woods and on to Falconwood Railway Station, from where we headed home.

A great day out in weather that was warm, cloudy and fairly humid, but with no rain. We’ll be back walking in a few weeks. Feel free to join us.