Description
A very quiet route from Catford Station to Lewisham Station that approximately follows the course of the River Ravensbourne. The actual route is the same as Sustrans cycle route 21 and also a local walking route - the Waterlink Way. As a result it's very well signposted and incredibly easy to follow. As a local I can confirm pedestrians and cyclists co-exist quite happily in the off road sections.
Most of this Slow Way is in Ladywell Fields where the river has (mostly) been decanalised and the banks rewilded. It's a lovely green space, you'll see parakeets and maybe kingfishers or herons, or dance troupes practicing, kids river-dipping and lots of people just enjoying the park. After Ladywell Station (transport and eating breakpoints) it uses quiet residential back roads and a small park until it hits an unavoidable busy road just 100m from the end point. Other things to see include street art, a huge mulberry tree (ripe pickings in August), shoaling perch in Cornmill Park.
There is a nice cafe in Ladywell Fields plus public toilets though opening is limited - see link https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks/ladywell-fields .
This route is an improvement to the (very similar) Catlew One route which breaks away from the *very well signposted* cycle way then rejoins 5 times with no benefit
A very quiet route from Catford Station to Lewisham Station that approximately follows the course of the River Ravensbourne. The actual route is the same as Sustrans cycle route 21 and also a local walking route - the Waterlink Way. As a result it's very well signposted and incredibly easy to follow. As a local I can confirm pedestrians and cyclists co-exist quite happily in the off road sections.
Most of this Slow Way is in Ladywell Fields where the river has (mostly) been decanalised and the banks rewilded. It's a lovely green space, you'll see parakeets and maybe kingfishers or herons, or dance troupes practicing, kids river-dipping and lots of people just enjoying the park. After Ladywell Station (transport and eating breakpoints) it uses quiet residential back roads and a small park until it hits an unavoidable busy road just 100m from the end point. Other things to see include street art, a huge mulberry tree (ripe pickings in August), shoaling perch in Cornmill Park.
There is a nice cafe in Ladywell Fields plus public toilets though opening is limited - see link https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/openspaces/parks/ladywell-fields .
This route is an improvement to the (very similar) Catlew One route which breaks away from the *very well signposted* cycle way then rejoins 5 times with no benefit
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Catlew two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 3
Surveys
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Catford
Grid Ref
TQ3728073527
Lat / Lon
51.44410° / -0.02602°
Easting / Northing
537,280E / 173,527N
What3Words
seat.wire.stuff
Lewisham
Grid Ref
TQ3811075903
Lat / Lon
51.46525° / -0.01315°
Easting / Northing
538,110E / 175,903N
What3Words
sports.trials.gosh
| Catford | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ3728073527 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.44410° / -0.02602° |
| Easting / Northing | 537,280E / 173,527N |
| What3Words | seat.wire.stuff |
| Lewisham | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ3811075903 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.46525° / -0.01315° |
| Easting / Northing | 538,110E / 175,903N |
| What3Words | sports.trials.gosh |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Derick Rethans
17 Mar 2024I walked this on a warm afternoon, from Catford to Lewisham. It had rained a lot this morning.
The route is basically the Waterway Link, accessed through a portal (photo #1) between the two places. It is mostly through parks (photo #2, #3), with few excursions where you have to follow residential roads (photo #4), and ending up at bustly Lewisham (photo #5). A good walk!.
Whlsarah
03 Apr 2023I often run and walk this route, it’s a great route between Catford and Lewisham. If you want to avoid the steps/ramp of the ‘curly’ bridge, you can continue along Malyons Rd instead, this will take you to Ladywell Rd where you can pick up this route.
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Tom Cairns
20 Oct 2022Lovely route, along the river, have occasionally seen a kingfisher there!.
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Daisy C
17 Oct 2022 (edited 17 Feb 2023)I designed this route, so my review is the same as the description!
If you are thinking of using it at night, the Ladywell Fields section is *relatively* busy at night, pretty good sightlines and street lights. I would use it in the evenings.
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Daisy C
23 Jun 2023Still looking good on a June afternoon.
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