Chisid two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Chisid here.

I walked this on a chilly, but later sunny, morning, from Chislehurst to Sidcup. It had rained a little in the previous few days.

I started this 2½ away from the start, at Chislehurst station, going through Pond Wood and along the Coopers School before the actual route. The start of the actual route was an annoying traffic mess (photo #1). After a little along Perry Street (photo #2), the route then headed into Park Wood/Scadbury Park, which was entirely lovely (photo #3, #6). There was a fair amount of mud though (photo #4, #5)! After crossing underneath the A20/A222, the route follows Chislehurst Road into Sidcup. There are often ways away from the main road (photo #7), certainly for the first part. The last section is a little slog along a busy road (photo #8, #9).

Great route. A little too much traffic.

The highlight of this route is wide, wild Scadbury Park, a wonderful nature reserve which alone merits the 4 stars. Otherwise there are some busy roads with a little more green respite where some parks abut the longest road stretch, including Sidcup Place.

Starting at the Chislehurst end. Bromley Lane/Perry Street had busy queuing traffic, probably busy and fast at other times. Short but dreary. The wilderness of Scadbury Park was restorative, a few blackberries were left but I'd missed the hard-to-find plums. Paths at the eastern end are serpentine which slowed down my run, but adds to the atmosphere. Perhaps it's ok if you're walking. The A20 under/overpass is huge, lots of exits, but adequate signs. Head to Scadbury or the hospital, depending. After passing the hospital do wander away from the road into the park a little. The first bit is called Sidcup Place. The final road north to Sidcup station was boring, and a bit too busy.

Pub and micropub near the Chislehurst war memorial look promising, the cafe serves good coffee. Chislehurst is hyper-leafy commuter belt, while Sidcup is more suburban. Apart from the shops within sight there is a "Mini-Waitrose" a little way east down Sidcup High St.

In Scadbury and the park surfaces were earthy, grassy or firm gravelly stuff. Generally flat but maybe very short slopes in Scadbury. There is at least one kissing gate, but I don't remember it and there have been dirtbike problems so...

I designed it to replace ChiSid 1 which had a suicidal road crossing over the A20 further north. The A20 and road layout does force some walking beside busy roads but since testing I wish I'd included less. i.e. through Sidcup. Perhaps through Morrisons car park, over the High Street then via Hatherley Rd. Crossing the High Street is enough of a clue for people that want to stop and eat, right? I won't post a new route until it's tested, once bitten, etc.

I didn't stop to take photos but scavenged these off Geograph.org.uk later. Credit should be stamped on each photo under Commercial Commons License.

ETA suggested quieter alternative, photos and location of Waitrose.

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