Abberi two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This new route makes small changes as AbbEri One was, inadvertently, not navigable at the Abbey Wood end. Over two thirds is on green (or blue) paths which follow the base of a long hillside, going through Lesnes Abbey Woods (ancient woodland and abbey ruins), Franks Park and later the Thames waterfront at Erith, these linked by quieter residential streets.

The start point is immediately outside the Abbey Wood Station which is above the original high street level, but there are lifts and stairs on both sides. From the station entrance cross the roadway then turn right which brings you down the flyover. The traffic is an unpromising start but just at the bottom is a meadow, the closest part of Lesnes Abbey Woods and the quickest escape from the roads. Turn into it, keeping to the left, then into trees and along a small lane to come out opposite parkland. The Lodge (with public toilets) is ahead. Head past them and then around the Abbey ruins, keeping the bulk of the woodland on your right until the playground. Here you turn into the woods proper on paths that are roughly parallel to the woodland edge. Shortly before leaving the woods you join the Green Chain Walk and then it's easy to navigate using their green fingerposts and "G-C" post markers through streets and Franks Park and all the way to Erith.

At Erith the route, and the Green Chain, takes the lower path along Thames waterfront. This was a highlight of my own walk but there are a few blind corners on the sometimes narrow path so you could follow the higher one (which I haven't tested) or earlier follow the GC "Link to Erith Station" signs, basically using West St to cut out the river altogether.

AbbEri One inadvertently suggested winged flight (or otherwise winging it) by leaping off the Abbey Wood flyover, probably as maps don't show the difference in height. This version is also optimised through the park and woodland sections to be easier, and possible, to follow and more attractive.

Mid-route break options: There's a nice kiosk, toilets and picnic tables at Lesnes Abbey Lodge and small shops between Lesnes Abbey Woods and Franks Park at Heron Hill and Picardy Road. You could break the route around here by bus or walk to Belvedere Station.

There are significant stairs either side of a pedestrian footbridge in Erith, some large metal structures designed to block motorbikes and, variably seasonal muddy ground in the woods.

If you walk this route between February and May it is worth a detour to see the Lesnes Abbey spring flowers, particularly the unusual wild daffodils in Feb/Mar. As these fade sheets of wood anemones and then bluebells take over. The best areas have been protected from trampling with spectacular results. On the little map ('Photo' 1) a thin black line marks the enclosures and this route is dark green, photo 2 is from one of these off-route areas

This new route makes small changes as AbbEri One was, inadvertently, not navigable at the Abbey Wood end. Over two thirds is on green (or blue) paths which follow the base of a long hillside, going through Lesnes Abbey Woods (ancient woodland and abbey ruins), Franks Park and later the Thames waterfront at Erith, these linked by quieter residential streets.

The start point is immediately outside the Abbey Wood Station which is above the original high street level, but there are lifts and stairs on both sides. From the station entrance cross the roadway then turn right which brings you down the flyover. The traffic is an unpromising start but just at the bottom is a meadow, the closest part of Lesnes Abbey Woods and the quickest escape from the roads. Turn into it, keeping to the left, then into trees and along a small lane to come out opposite parkland. The Lodge (with public toilets) is ahead. Head past them and then around the Abbey ruins, keeping the bulk of the woodland on your right until the playground. Here you turn into the woods proper on paths that are roughly parallel to the woodland edge. Shortly before leaving the woods you join the Green Chain Walk and then it's easy to navigate using their green fingerposts and "G-C" post markers through streets and Franks Park and all the way to Erith.

At Erith the route, and the Green Chain, takes the lower path along Thames waterfront. This was a highlight of my own walk but there are a few blind corners on the sometimes narrow path so you could follow the higher one (which I haven't tested) or earlier follow the GC "Link to Erith Station" signs, basically using West St to cut out the river altogether.

AbbEri One inadvertently suggested winged flight (or otherwise winging it) by leaping off the Abbey Wood flyover, probably as maps don't show the difference in height. This version is also optimised through the park and woodland sections to be easier, and possible, to follow and more attractive.

Mid-route break options: There's a nice kiosk, toilets and picnic tables at Lesnes Abbey Lodge and small shops between Lesnes Abbey Woods and Franks Park at Heron Hill and Picardy Road. You could break the route around here by bus or walk to Belvedere Station.

There are significant stairs either side of a pedestrian footbridge in Erith, some large metal structures designed to block motorbikes and, variably seasonal muddy ground in the woods.

If you walk this route between February and May it is worth a detour to see the Lesnes Abbey spring flowers, particularly the unusual wild daffodils in Feb/Mar. As these fade sheets of wood anemones and then bluebells take over. The best areas have been protected from trampling with spectacular results. On the little map ('Photo' 1) a thin black line marks the enclosures and this route is dark green, photo 2 is from one of these off-route areas