Catlew one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This is a very pleasant route to walk or run, as others have already said. Paths alongside the River Ravensbourne in Ladywell Fields makes up most of the distance. The river has been released from artificial banks and rewilded, so there is a quite rural feeling for Inner London.

I would give the route the full five stars except that frustratingly it doesn't follow the Waterlink Way/cycle route, which is fully signposte. When it could share all but a few metres at either end and it isn't even the shortest possible route. I count 5 deviations, one is particularly pointless going up a small hill and then diagonally down again, probably just because the simpler path is hidden under text on Ordnance Survey maps. It seems so wasteful that the Slow Way is not as straightforward to use as possible. Why fiddle around checking maps or apps when it could be so simple?

I'm going to upload a tweaked version and hopefully it will get some 5 star reviews so it becomes the go-to choice.

A fairly short, but easy route to follow through parkland and riverside.

This is a pleasant walk. From Catford, the first half goes through Ladywell Fields (where you might see Kingfishers and Mandarin Ducks), and the second half is in a residential area. The two main roads that the route crosses have controlled pedestrian crossings, and there is a bridge over the railway in Ladywell Fields that has steps on one side and a ramp on the other, making it easy for both pedestrians and cyclists to use. There are toilets and a cafe in Ladywell Fields. Ladywell Station is at the half way point, providing additional transport options.

I ran this on a grey Sunday afternoon as part of a longer route involving 3 other Slow Ways (Peclew one, Dulpec one and Dulcat one). I ran it from Catford to Lewisham. It was a straightforward route, it mainly follows the Waterlink Way cycle route and so is easily signposted. It just diverges from the cycle route towards Lewisham station (continuing up Algernon Road instead of turning onto Marsala Road); I would recommend that it be changed to follow the cycle route instead, for ease of navigation.

Fairly straightforward route. Accessible for buggies and children but one railway crossing may not be suitable for wheelchair users.

This is a good route, direct and basically follows cycle path routes and the majority of it is along the river on the Waterlink Way. I walked from Lewisham - Catford.. you have to cross a few main roads at the start but then its all pretty quiet apart from crossing the traffic lights in Ladywell. There are a couple of quicker diversions now on the route which I guess are where paths have been updated since this route was established, but its very self explanatory and you can see the quicker route in your line of sight. I'd use this again and suggest it to others.

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