Sidswa three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Sidswa here.

This is an improved version of Sidswa 2 to avoid crossing Bexley Lane next to a blind bend. The bridleway at the end of Parsonage Lane and going along the southern edge of Joyden's Wood may be *extremely* muddy in winter. SidSwa 4 is an alternative in that case, but it has some other downsides.

The first part is through suburban Sidcup and then after crossing Bexley Lane on a pelican crossing it goes into lovely Foots Cray Meadows crossing the River Cray at Five Arches Bridge, the scenic highlight of the park and a good spot for paddling if your feet are hot. There's a traffic light controlled crossing of the big, busy A223/North Cray Road after which this is essentially a rural walk on to Swanley. The first part is along a road with no pavement but Parsonage Lane is a small and pretty quiet road, only leading to scattered houses and stabling. The end of Parsonage Lane is an unmade lane and bridleway which continues through Joyden's Wood, this is the muddy winter section, Parsonage Lane stays damp all year with a little puddled water even after weeks of dry summer weather. The route leaves the bridleway onto a footpath along the edge of the woods. Then right past Birchwood Park golf course (restaurant open to the public) and along a short bit of very quiet lane and a few footpaths until you reach Swanley Park. Follow the edge of the park around to the south east to approach the town centre (a big one-way system). You could join various other routes which head east past Asda and the small high street but this route goes past the church and takes a short cut to Swanley Station down St Mary's Road. The Slow Ways meeting point is outside the other entrance but you can simply walk across the concourse above the platforms. There is no ticket barrier, most people use cards to touch in and out. Helpfully Swanley is just inside the TfL pay-as-you go zone despite being just outside Greater London.

There is at least one stile, one small gate and either kissing gates or a motorbike restrictor in a few places. There's a bus stop at the North Cray Road crossing. A small parade of shops about half a mile south on the A223 and the same distance north is a farm shop, campsite and pub. You could also get to either through the Meadows

This is an improved version of Sidswa 2 to avoid crossing Bexley Lane next to a blind bend. The bridleway at the end of Parsonage Lane and going along the southern edge of Joyden's Wood may be *extremely* muddy in winter. SidSwa 4 is an alternative in that case, but it has some other downsides.

The first part is through suburban Sidcup and then after crossing Bexley Lane on a pelican crossing it goes into lovely Foots Cray Meadows crossing the River Cray at Five Arches Bridge, the scenic highlight of the park and a good spot for paddling if your feet are hot. There's a traffic light controlled crossing of the big, busy A223/North Cray Road after which this is essentially a rural walk on to Swanley. The first part is along a road with no pavement but Parsonage Lane is a small and pretty quiet road, only leading to scattered houses and stabling. The end of Parsonage Lane is an unmade lane and bridleway which continues through Joyden's Wood, this is the muddy winter section, Parsonage Lane stays damp all year with a little puddled water even after weeks of dry summer weather. The route leaves the bridleway onto a footpath along the edge of the woods. Then right past Birchwood Park golf course (restaurant open to the public) and along a short bit of very quiet lane and a few footpaths until you reach Swanley Park. Follow the edge of the park around to the south east to approach the town centre (a big one-way system). You could join various other routes which head east past Asda and the small high street but this route goes past the church and takes a short cut to Swanley Station down St Mary's Road. The Slow Ways meeting point is outside the other entrance but you can simply walk across the concourse above the platforms. There is no ticket barrier, most people use cards to touch in and out. Helpfully Swanley is just inside the TfL pay-as-you go zone despite being just outside Greater London.

There is at least one stile, one small gate and either kissing gates or a motorbike restrictor in a few places. There's a bus stop at the North Cray Road crossing. A small parade of shops about half a mile south on the A223 and the same distance north is a farm shop, campsite and pub. You could also get to either through the Meadows