| Author |
Message |
Nevermodern
Joined 09-02-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 12:25 pm: | |
Just an added comment after the great forest hill walk last night...
Being a relative newcomer to forest hill, i had no idea until the walk that there was an utterly fantastic panoramic view of london from canary walk across the city, the bt tower and the london eye from the hill behind the Horniman. I was amazed...yet also kind of disappointed that there wasn't even anywhere to sit to take it in. (a pub and a beer garden would be ideal, but i suppose knocking down a few houses to build it would be slightly extreme!) Pity there's no bench there at least, though. I'm also surprised that i'd never heard of it as being clearly the best view 'of london in london' before! Surely a reason for forest hill to be on the tourist map, and definitely something Lewisham council should be pushing :) |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 12:33 pm: | |
There are several vantage points Nevermodern
You can see a lot of the same as the Canonbie Road view (the one you mention) from around the bandstand in the Horniman Gardens (although the bandstand itself is in the way a little).
You can also walk up Sydenham Hill to get a view (careful not to pass the roundabout or you leave the safety of the SE23 postcode and I couldn't possibly refer to it on this board).
Finally, for something a little different again, try the "other" hill at the top of Brockley View and Blythe Hill Fields (up the hill from Brockley Rise). This doesn't take in the City, but you can get a great view of Canary Wharf. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 01:22 pm: | |
You can see St Paul's Cathedral from the top of Horniman Hill. |
Pat
Joined 12-11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 01:30 pm: | |
The view from Blythe Hill Fields is great, you can see the dome, canary wharf, the city, even the London Eye. Best time is dusk as the city lights up below you. |
Toffeejim
Joined 27-11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 02:05 pm: | |
You can see a pub and a curry house from my gaff.
I need nothing more to enchant me. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 02:35 pm: | |
Yes, I would agree. The view from Blythe Hill Fields is the best. you can see the entire city, without obstruction. However, it is a bit of a hike up the hill, but all in the name of health and exercise. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 02:45 pm: | |
One Tree Hill is excellent but last time I went their seemed to be a Rottweilers convention. Very nasty indeed. |
Sandy
Joined 08-10-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 08:33 pm: | |
Pity about your experience of the dogs on One Tree hill. We wouldn't want people to be put off visiting this lovely spot. Could you send some details to the Friends of One Tree hill? We are trying to see if we can get anything done about professional dog walkers and other irresponsible owners.
s.pepperell@hengrave.demon.co.uk |
Bigjulie
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 08:45 pm: | |
Don't get me started about dogs on One Tree Hill...it's worse than the pavements. Recently Southwark Council have put up signs saying all dogs should be on leads - not sure if there has been any attempt to enforce it though.
But back to the subject, I was on the top of One Tree Hill to see in the new year and the views of the firework display on the South Bank were superb. The view isn't panoramic like Blythe Hill but the glimpses through the trees are enticing. |
Cessj
Joined 06-02-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, 01 March, 2007 - 09:30 pm: | |
I agree...the views of London from Blythe Hill is just magical, both at night and during the day time---I don't know why Lewisham Council does so little with this park...as far as I'm concerned, the vistas are as good as you'd get from Greenwich Park.
I LOVE FOREST HILL!!!!!! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 08:23 am: | |
Hi Sandy
This incident occurred about 3 years ago but the dogs and owners looked very agressive.
Hopefully this has now changed.
It is a lovely spot with a great view. Can anyone confirm that the Oak was Honoured by a visit by QE1.
Whilst I appreciate no one would have been arround then I have lived in the area all my life and have often heard the story but not sure what substance there is to it. |
Stevegrindlay
Joined 24-10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 09:40 am: | |
Brian, it is impossible to say beyond any doubt that she visited the hill. However references to this event go back several centuries. In his "History of Kent" (1801) Edward Hasted says: "Between Lewisham Street and Dulwich is a hill with an oak on it, which was called 'The Oak of Honour' because Q.Elizabeth dined under it." Sir Richard Bulckley probably lived at Place House, which was in Elm Lane, at the junction of Perry Hill and Catford Hill.
John Nichols in "The Progresses of Queen Elizabeth" (1823) says: "On May Day the Queen went a-maying to Sir Richard Buckley's, some three or four miles of Greenwich". This would have been on 1 May 1602. One source suggests that by 1609 the tree on One Tree Hill was called the "Oak of Honor" while another, more authoritative, says 1719.
So, no firm evidence but it is very suggestive. |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 09:43 am: | |
I like most have heard the same story. However, I recently went to the 'excellent' map exhibition at the British Library (which is still on for any of you who may be interested, it's also free!). When I viewed a particularly old map, the area was known as The Ardon (I think that was the spelling) Oak. Can anyone shed any light? |
Stevegrindlay
Joined 24-10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 10:24 am: | |
Haylands, that map was by John Rocque and was published in 1746. He calls the area "Oak of Arnon". Rocque was French and I suspect his grasp of English spelling and pronunciation was a little weak. The map covered ten miles round London and there were other similar mis-spellings. |
Blushingsnail
Joined 21-12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 11:25 am: | |
The Rocque map is online: http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/ob ject.cfm?uid=007ZZZ000000019U00018000&zoomimage=1
Use the plus sign to enlarge and the arrow keys to move about. |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 02 March, 2007 - 01:44 pm: | |
Thanks Steve, as ever, you are the Font of Forest Hill! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 03 March, 2007 - 11:04 am: | |
Yes thanks very much Steve. |
Nevermodern
Joined 09-02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 07 March, 2007 - 08:34 pm: | |
Just been up Blythe Hill - fantastic.
Although could've done with a comfier bench :)
Thanks for the tip, everyone :) |
