Catford — Lewisham

Catlew two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By Daisy C on 17 Oct 2022

Distance

3km/2mi

Ascent

16m

Descent

25m

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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 8 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Catlew two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.

Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 8

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (8)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 6

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 1X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.		 Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Not present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 70.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 9.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 9.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 1.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

1X September 2024 by Strider
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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

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews

Ingrina

26 Jan 2025 Winter
Report

A great route between Lewisham and Catford, with a mix of residential streets to avoid the main roads, park paths, and following the river. I led a group of walkers on this route on a dry day and it was easy to follow and very pleasant. When we went in Jan 2025 one side of the footbridge in Ladywell was closed off, but we just went a bit beyond the crossing point in the other direction and were able to rejoin the route easily. Good amenities at each side of this route as well!.

David Sanderson

15 Dec 2024 Autumn
Report

A very enjoyable walk. Great use of offroad options. Travels through popular and friendly spaces throughout.

Hugh Hudson

14 Dec 2024 (edited 15 Dec 2024) Autumn
Report

Walked from Catford to Lewisham. A pleasant walk through urban parkland.

We leave Catford along Adenmore Road, then head left under the railway bridge and over the Ravensbourne into Ladywell Fields. This part of the route was familiar to me from the Dulwich-Catford route I walked last year. We follow the well signposted track along the river, crossing under the first railway and using the ramped footbridge over the second. Eventually the riverside path ends, and we turn left onto Ladywell Road, where there is a light assisted crossing just beyond the junction with Vicars Hill. We follow residential streets most of the way into Lewisham, before crossing Cornmill Gardens (a small park) and Loampit Vale to reach the stations.

Strider

06 Sep 2024 Summer
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I walked from Catford to Lewisham on a sub drizzly day.
A good mostly traffic free walk along the Ravensbourne.
Good for wheels but gradients over the railway in a spiral foot bridge.
Good enjoyable route between these two places.

Derick Rethans

17 Mar 2024 Winter
Report

I 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 2023 Spring
Report

I 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.

Tom Cairns

20 Oct 2022 Autumn
Report

Lovely route, along the river, have occasionally seen a kingfisher there!.

Daisy C

17 Oct 2022 (edited 17 Feb 2023) Autumn
Report

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.

  • Daisy C

    Daisy C

    23 Jun 2023

    Still looking good on a June afternoon.

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Catford—Lewisham

Catlew one

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Distance

3km/2mi

Ascent

22 m

Descent

15 m

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