Elmbro one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I tested this route a little reluctantly so that Elmers End to Bromley will have a verified route snail. It's ok, it gets you from A to B and does have a few redeeming features like tall shady trees, and wide, setback pavements, but this only slightly mitigates the overly-fast, busy, noisy roads.

I started from Bromley. Bromley High Street is a very long half mile of crowd-wrestling. Bromley South station is not hidden from the hurly burly, it's plain that there's a chance to find food or a loo along there. I'd much rather cut through any/all of the parks running along the west. There a some good features though. I really liked Martins Hill, a small semi-wild space at the top of the hill near Bromley High Street, contiguous with Queensmead Rec. Later, on the junction with Wickham Rd, is the quirky, pagoda style "Chinese Garage", originally a petrol station/garage, then a car showroom, now a Grade II listed Tesco Express. Another view from the top of Crossways Rd (steep, but not as steep as in Martins Hill park).

Not a 4 star route, but a bit better than some others I've felt obliged to give 3 stars. I had read the reviews and looked at the map with a sinking heart. So, I had an alternative route up my sleeve, going through Harvington Woods/Estate, Queensmead Rec and Glassmill Pond. Tested them both an ElmBro twofer in an afternoon. ElmBro 2 is the same length, on somewhat prettier roads, more off-road - through green spaces and had far, far less traffic.

The flatter alternative mentioned by Marmot is pretty much the Bromley end of ElmBro 2, out of Queensmead Rec into Glassmill Lane and immediately into Glassmill Pond - a linear park beside the Ravensbourne. Ravensbourne Rd is flat and comes out just at the station so it avoids Bromley High St!.

This is not the most exciting of Slow Ways. It essentially takes one road to go from Bromley town centre to Elmers End. On the plus side it is direct route along a road with wide and accessible pavements and some interesting fancy houses. The park near Bromley is a nice start to the walk (or end, depending on which way you walk!). However the road the Slow Way goes along is relatively busy. I would recommend a short detour to do a loop of Kelsey Park. Also, if coming from Bromley, when you get to the junction of Shortland Road and Hayes Lane, go through the modal filter onto Whitecroft Way and then go along Hayes Way. This is a much better street to walk instead of continuing along Hayes Lane.

This is mostly wide pavements, many with trees, which lessens the urban feel. There's even a section of park near Bromley. There's one steep slope in the park near the end of the route. To avoid this, continue along the stream in Queensmead Recreation Ground towards Ravensbourne Road rather than veering left towards the play park.

There are toilets in the shopping centre in Bromley (when open) and on the 'roundabout' at Elmer's End (though these are currently closed, presumably due to covid). Plenty of other facilities available, including accommodation in Bromley and at a few other points.

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