I had been watching the Met Office forecast in the week for the south coast with dread. It was showing strong winds, thunder, and heavy rain. Not the ideal conditions for walking along cliff tops and I doubted I’d be able to attract many ramblers for what otherwise is, I think, one of the best walks in the summer programme.

We travelled down to Seaford in the pouring rain and I wasn’t feeling anymore confident as we approached the start of the walk. By the time we assembled on the seafront at Seaford however, there was a small but enthusiastic group of 10 Poly Ramblers raring to go whatever the weather might throw at us. As we set out to climb the steep path over Seaford Head, the rain eased but the gusts of south-westerly winds remained strong giving us an extra lift as we walked along the cliff tops. When we stopped for a group photograph with the Seven Sisters in the background, we had the added spectacle of stormy waves and their white tops breaking in the bay of Cuckmere Haven. Continue reading SEAFORD TO BERWICK -15 JUNE 2024 →

Six Polyramblers were about to start the walk in Greenwich when we got a message from Hilary to say that she and Gini were arriving by boat. So we went to wait for them at Greenwich Pier. Now eight Polyramblers, we went up towards Greenwich Observatory through the park and left it at Macartney House, which used to be the home of General James Wolfe. Walking on a track lined with pretty houses, we reached a grassy plateau known as The Point with an amazing London panorama. We then descended in the valley of the Ravensbourne river which we met in Brookmill Park and Brookmill Nature Reserve. We continued to Hilly Fields where we had lunch in the cafe. We passed a nicely decorated trig point to reach Vicars Hill. We made a very short detour to see the 15th century Parish Church of St Mary’s in Lewisham with an unusual Grecian porch, probably from the 18th century, and its therapeutic garden from the 21st century. Continue reading GREEN LONDON WAY: GREENWICH TO FOREST HILL 12 JUNE →

We were joined by Poppy and Quentin from North London Ramblers at Chigwell before parting for the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve. In the morning the weather was cloudy and there was a little mud in the wooded areas but otherwise relatively easy walking.

Unfortunately the Premier Inn near Queen Elisabeth’s Hunting Lodge was closed so we stopped earlier at ‘The Warren Wood’ public house for lunch before proceeding to Gillwell Park, the UK National Centre for Scouts. Three of us left after lunch in order to shorten their journey.

In the afternoon we had some sunny weather and really attractive views over a distant London from Yardley Hill and then over the huge King Georges Reservoir near Enfield from Daws Hill Park. Arriving about 5 minutes before the train departed from Enfield Lock, we enjoyed a swift journey back to London.

Rob H.   Photos by Nita and Chris

It was a sunny day when 9 Polyramblers met at the Elizabeth Line Woolwich station. We walked up to Woolwich Common, passing St George’s Garrison Church which was bombed during the Second World War. The beautiful mosaics have been restored and are protected from the elements by a canopy roof. We crossed the common which was covered with Queen Anne’s Lace (am I right, Kim?) as far as the eyes could see.

After Hornfair Park, we arrived in Charlton Park. We had lunch in the sun on the terrace of Charlton House, one of the finest Jacobean houses in the country. Geoffrey used to go to the library there but it is now a venue for different events. We had a look at a small exhibition on saris and sneaked a glance at the beautiful room which served as a library. 

After lunch and a group photo, we passed what was formerly a summer house and is the only part of the Charlton buildings attributable to Inigo Jones. The Borough Council converted it into public toilets in 1936. Geoffrey remembers when the building was a public toilet. It is now unused and empty. Then, we walked through Charlton village, went back to Charlton Park and crossed into Maryon-Wilson Park. The Maryon-Wilson family used to own Charlton House but sold it to Greenwich Borough Council. It’s a nice park with animal enclosures (sheep, pigs and poultry). We continued through Maryon Park and up and down Cox Mount (89 ft) to the Thames Barrier. We followed the Thames, first through a tunnel under the Barrier buildings, then along industrial estates and newly built flats.

In the middle of all this is the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, a small oasis with a lake and a visitor centre. We stopped there for a rest and to have a look at the birds from one of the hides. We then crossed the Greenwich Peninsula going above the Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach – better forget this part of the walk which, although not very pleasant, is thankfully short. The last part of the walk was towards Greenwich with, at first, newly built flats, then Greenwich Power Station built in 1906, The Trinity Hospital which is being renovated, Crane Street and the Trafalgar Tavern and, finally, the Royal Naval College buildings, the Cutty Sark and the end of the walk.

Dominique