Broelt one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Good route, direct, mostly off road, makes use of the Green Chain network which runs through south-east London.
Walked Eltham to Bromley, lovely Autumn day, clear air made for great views across London.

I found it very enjoyable to walk.
I especially liked the field with donkeys near Eltham, and also admired how Bromley seems to have tamed motor cars in the town centre.

I can’t really add much to the previous reviews, which have plenty of information about what to expect and look out for, so will keep it short!
A rare 5⭐️ from me!.

I enjoyed this route especially the woodlands and amazing London views. All the road crossings were safe enough. Paths in Elmstead Woods are not that clear but I didn't get lost! There are a number of footbridges with steps which rules this route out for wheeled transport.

I did part of this yesterday from Bromley to Mottingham. I know the route from Elmstead (before Mottingham) to Eltham really well so I'm' happy to write up my review. In short, it's a nice route, quiet, lots of green spaces, somewhere to stop for a break, even catch a bit of heritage at Eltham Palace.

The only drawback was crossing the busy-ish road at Plaistow Lane (nr Sundridge Park station), no visible crossing point or lights. It was ok yesterday though because the rush hour traffic was stationary! It's about 500m there and back to either the station or the roundabout crossing points.

Navigation was easy (may be biased as I know it so well). Bromley High Street is mostly pedestrianised but heaving with people, I hate walking through that. The rest of Bromley to Sundridge Park station was good, mostly on a footpath/alley way cutting between small, quiet residential roads. Then it is a combo of green tracks and footpaths, some in open woodland, others between hedges and fences. You'll pass beside horse grazing, a golf course, allotments, railway lines, scrub land and a section across playing fields. There are 3 pretty short road (with pavement) sections and it also crosses the very busy A20 but very safely. Then at the Eltham end it's back on small roads again, except Eltham Hill - another safe crossing.

The highlights for me are the bigger woodlands - Elmstead, Upper and Lower Marvels. Lovely autumn leaves yesterday and there are bluebells and wood anemones in spring. Second best is the "protected" view from King John's Walk across to central London and beyond. If the light angle is low here you might see medieval ridge and furrow patterns in the grazing fields. Eltham Palace is a (very) short detour.

From roughly Plaistow Lane to Eltham Palace it follows the Green Chain Walk which helps navigation but there are a few GCW branches so check the signs. There metal anti-motor bike restrictions and bridges with steps along the way, and puddles or moderately muddy bits. Elmstead Woods has some wet spots, this path is pretty dry though.

Breakpoints/Transport links: there'll be buses scattered throughout. Bromley North station is on the route, Sundridge Pk is a little further off, and Elmstead Woods a little further still (but Green Chain signposted). There are a few shops and 2 cafes on Plaistow Lane.

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