Rod Macarthur's walk was arranged for a set date, but in view of the current unpredictable weather it has been decided to make the walk available on our Features page instead so that it can be printed out and followed whenever convenient. Rod welcomes your feedback here.

A very interesting read - thanks Rod Macarthur.

I am curious though: The lock without a key:
"The retaining wall of the high pavement in David's Road (pics 10a and 10b) beneath the Hob, is the side of a lock"

There is no historical documentation suggesting that there was a lock in this location. Other locks on this canal were marked.

The upper level of David's Rd (the proposed tow-path) seems fairly level with WHSmiths and beyond so there was no obvious gradient to overcome, (assuming the canal has been filled in to this tow-path level.)

(And Havelock Walk was named after the General - not a path with a lock.)

But then again, the ground at the site of the double lock at Honor Oak Pk Rd/recreation ground (now) looks level in the directions of the canal, so this is not necessarily a clue either way.

There is that sudden ~6 foot dip in David's Rd itself - a change of level consistent with a lock maybe? Certainly a strange feature.

It would be an interesting exercise to follow the path of the canal in SE23 with a (GPS?) device to see how level it is. That would give us a big clue whether another lock was needed or not.

A treasure hunt sounds awesome but instead of looking for all these historical clues can't we just have more simpler clues as I'm afraid I'm not really all that clued up on where the lock for the old canal is. Sort of along the lines of a pirates treasure map.

Thanks for compiling all this interesting information.
I really enjoyed reading it and will be dragging a few North London friends across the river to do this walk with me.

Thanks Perryman - your comments are much appreciated. I don't claim to be a local historian and bow to your local knowledge. As the introduction points out, I have gathered nearly everything from the internet - and I have tried to get it as accurate as possible but clearly some of it may need correcting! Meanwhile, treat that particular heading/section as "Poetic license". I hope it doesn't distract from the enjoyment of the walk. Cheers - Rod

Hi Bigbadwolf

the webmaster has now placed the smaller, easier to print version of the walk on the website. I'm sure walkers will find the treasure hunt clues easy to find (dates on buildings etc.). Unfortunately, Perryman's informative message about the canal may have mislead you. I'm sure walkers will find it an enjoyable walk and the treasure hunt clues an extra bit of fun. Rod :0)

Thank you so much for your time and effort in producing the Forest Hill walk. I lived in Forest Hill from 1951 to 1970 and am so pleased to see that all the old familiar buildings are still standing and looking really good. I lived behind Ashberry Cottage and used to scrump plums from over the garden wall. As children we were petrified of the man who lived there as he was a Druid or something and used to do weird chants in the garden!
Hill House hasn't changed at all. So many memories flooding back!

The white house opposite the junction with London Rd/Honor Oak Rd, in the fifties and sixties there was a very posh old lady with a smelly Pekinese dog who lived there.

Brampton Road was unmade and just shingle in the fifties and full of muddy potholes. On the corner of the road was a lady with an Alsation dog which had lost the use of its back legs and walked on wheels.

I remember the lady with the Pekinese dog, she wore lace and jet earrings I wonder if she had the whole of that house to herself?
I lived opposite Ashberry Cottage in the fifities/sixties do you remember the little garage on the corner of Honor Oak Road?there were several rather genteel elderly ladies in FH at that time
tradesman sued to deliver!