| Author |
Message |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 11:32 am: | |
Anyone know of walking groups in or near Forest Hill? Did a quick trawl of the Ramblers Association website and there's a Blackheath based group but their idea of a casual stroll seems to be ten mile walks and I was hoping for regular walks in the 5 to 8 mile range. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 01:00 pm: | |
I do a lot of walking , just walk and see where it takes you.
Syd / Dulwich Hill Woods a good start.Loads of interesting places to discover |
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 03:54 pm: | |
www.lwf.org.uk
Is the website for the Lewisham Walking Festival which takes place in May. Last year's programme is still online, which may give you ideas for walks and contact numbers. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 06:44 pm: | |
Thanks Loneranger and Brian. I also do lots of walking and Dulwich/Sydenham woods are indeed a local gem - however a walking group is good for when I can't drag friends or partner along. I always feel a bit uneasy walking round wooded areas by myself. A shame really 'cos I like the solitude of walking alone. You may know this already but the North Downs walk around Otford/Kemsing/Shoreham is really easy to get to from Forest Hill. Beautiful scenery and some great old 'proper' pubs. You can go direct from Catford to Otford in 34 mins and the fare is relatively cheap. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 07:15 pm: | |
If you are of socialist leanings, you could try Red Rope- they are national but also have a strong London group. Try their website.
You could also set one up locally for walks , say once a month? There is quite a lot in the Kent and Sussex areas, as someone has pointed out. Time Out also published a country walks book with a calendar for walks, but they are self organising to a degree, and I am not sure if anyone does these any more. Does anyone else know the book I mean? |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 10 January, 2006 - 07:17 pm: | |
Would also like more details on how to access Sydenham and Dulwich Woods, etc, if anyone could let me know, as I have never managed to work it out! Cheers |
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 08:31 am: | |
There are a series of leaflets available under the title "Walking Lewisham" There are 4 walks from the book 'Nature Conservation in Lewisham'. Possibly available at the local library.
Also there is the the 'Forest..Hill..Trail..' published by the Sydenham Society and Lewisham Local Studies Centre, priced £1.50. |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 09:38 am: | |
Accessing the woods: you have to cut through the housing estate and head for the gap in the fence. See if this works:http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=publ ic&X=534500&Y=173000&width=700&height=400&gride=&g ridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=pc&addr1=&addr2=&addr3 =&pc=SE23&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap =&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=10000&mu ltimap.x=347&multimap.y=229
...at the end of "Lapse Wood Walk". Easier may be to take Cox's Walk from the Harvester, or go down the path next to the Dulwich Wood House pub on Sydenham Hill and turn left into the woods. |
Cllrdavidwhiting
Joined 07-12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 12:59 pm: | |
You can also access Cox's Walk from the top end. The entrace s along Sydenham Hill - about 10-150 metres from the roundabout at the top of Kirkdale.
It's a marvellous local asset.. The only credit I can claim is that some thirty years ago, in a previous existence as a Southwark Councillor, I took part in the decision to reject a planning application to build housing on a significant part of the Woods. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 01:46 pm: | |
Blimey, building on the woods would be an outrage. Its bad enough that some much is difficult to access because of the golf course.
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to walk through from the woods to Dulwich college? I tried from the other end last week and failed, but there might be a way through near the golf clubhouse.
p.s. don't forget the green chain walk...
Thanks,
Les. |
Cllrdavidwhiting
Joined 07-12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 02:02 pm: | |
It's easy to get to Dulwich. Walk through the woods to the entrance by the golf clubhouse (if you follow the southern perimeter fence from cox's walk you pass the allotments and there it is. Follow the road from the golf clubhouse to the tollgate and then turn right. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 - 03:52 pm: | |
Great - I'll give it a try. Les. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 January, 2006 - 11:06 am: | |
Or you could walk to Dulwich through Dulwich Park.
I think the gates are still open to pedestrians. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 15 January, 2006 - 11:16 pm: | |
Hi Les, yes the green chain walk looks good. Must try that one next. For anyone interested I think it covers the area between Crystal Palace and out to Chislehurst/Petts Wood. There are leaflets with a map and details at FH Library.
Don't forget to check out the disused railway line that once ran through Sydenham Woods. There's an old railway tunnel and even a few sleepers left behind. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 16 January, 2006 - 07:45 am: | |
Not many sleepers in your house if you are wide awake well past 11.00 pm
I agree great local sights |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 16 January, 2006 - 08:43 pm: | |
Not strictly FH, but for newcomers I would recommend checking out Peckham Rye park, which is now really nice in places since the Lottery-funded refurb job. Not forgetting the Rye Tavern and Clock House (pubs) too!
Les. |
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 16 January, 2006 - 09:22 pm: | |
Have you considered Beckenham Place Park, as well? |
Pattrembath
Joined 04-05-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 17 January, 2006 - 09:15 am: | |
Three walks coming up in Beckenham Place Park:
Sat 28 Jan - Winter Bird Walk, led by "an expert" - meet 9.30am on steps of Mansion
Sat 25 Feb - Short Winter Walk - meet 2.00 at the Mansion
Sun 19 March - Signs of Spring Walk - 2 pm in Visitor Centre at the Mansion |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 24 January, 2006 - 03:38 pm: | |
There's also a Winter Bird Walk coming up in Sydenham Woods. Hope I've not missed it. Will check and post up a link. |
Blushingsnail
Joined 21-12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 10:27 am: | |
Seeformiles: The Ramblers Association has other walking groups in London, eg South Bank Group, Inner London Area, and Metropolitan Walkers (20s-30s group). I think the Blackheath Group is particularly 'hardcore' - I've been receiving their programme for years but have never gone on a walk (18 miles: no thanks!). The Ramblers' website shows the groups' upcoming programmes: http://www.ramblers.co.uk/groups/search.php?area=L ondon%7CSURREY&zoomLevel=3&showMap=1&
The Inner London group are actually doing a 5 mile walk through Dulwich Park and Sydenham Hill Wood this Saturday (11th Feb). |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 03 April, 2006 - 10:15 pm: | |
Just seen this - thanks for the info Blushing.
I'm looking forward to spending Easter weekend walking over the North Downs...can't wait.
I'll be staying somewhere with an indoor pool to make up for the lack of one in FH. Grrrr. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 - 01:40 am: | |
Another walk within easy reach of Forest Hill is the Merstham circular. Change at Norwood Junction or East Croydon and it takes 15 minutes from there. There's also a CAMRA recommended pub at the halfway point. I'll be trying this out very soon. Details below:
http://www.camrasurrey.org.uk/mugswell/default.htm
The Surrey Hills are one of the most wooded areas in the country covering approximately one quarter of Surrey. They include the chalky North Downs, which run from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east. To the south are the Greensand Hills, which include the Devils Punchbowl at Hindhead & Leith Hill (the highest point in southern England). |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 - 01:50 am: | |
And the walk itself although this is a slightly longer route than the one I'll be doing but you can adapt it.
http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_3/walk_04/walk_ 04_download.pdf |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 04 April, 2006 - 07:15 pm: | |
slightly delayed response, but yes, roz, I have a copy of that Time Out book. ANd I know I'm not alone because once at the halfway pub on a walk, we encountered another couple that were doing the same walk with the same book. We weren't doing it on the right day either.
It's a really good idea, and rates each walk for difficulty as well as length. Each one also has a good lunch and tea suggestion, and there's usually a short cut option for wimps. It also tells you how to get there and how to get back by train, and the best time of year to do each one. But it is quite easy to get lost, particularly as my copy is a few years old now and land marks get changed over time. The maps are pretty useless so you have to follow the instructions which are along the lines of "go over the style and left at the big oak tree..." etc.
I once took 14 friends along and we all got hopelessly lost and had a hilarious time. Two people actually started off by travelling to the wrong Haselmere (there are two), much to all our amusement. Very happy memories of that day, particularly as one of the friends died just a few weeks later. The rest of us all still reminisce about it. |
Sue
Joined 30-11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 05 April, 2006 - 01:20 pm: | |
For anyone wanting to join an organised walk, the Bromley branch of the Ramblers have a very good range of walks, usually in the countryside. An afternoon walk on Saturday and Sundays (4-8 miles) and an all day walk on Sunday (9-14 miles), plus mid week walks for those not working. I started with the Blackheath group, but never went on any walks because I didn't want to start with a 15 miler! Bromley Group walks are not listed on the Ramblers website (details on earlier posting), but you will find the phone no. of someone to make enquiries to. |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 07 April, 2006 - 01:20 pm: | |
Thanks Sue, the Bromley group sounds ideal. Blackheath sounds more like an army training camp. |
