Route description
This is a neater, easier to navigate version of EltWoo 1 for people who'd like to meander their way from Woolwich to Eltham via the top of Shooters Hill. And why not? It's one of the tallest points in London, and as it's a freestanding peak it has particularly amazing views across south London, Kent and Essex. The shady ancient woodlands are pretty special too, Shepherdleas has beautiful bluebells, but the best views are from the top of Oxleas Meadow looking S at least. To look E over Kent go to Eaglesfield Park or look NE from the top of Shrewsbury Park main meadow. It's fairly easy to follow, uses the well signposted Green Chain Walk, without breaking away for multiple small diversions to save 10m here, or 15m there, or for no obvious reason (yes EltWoo 1 I AM looking at you!). Not having to pick your way along a overgrown back lane that's frequently blocked with flytipping is another improvement, along with more direct and quieter ways to get to the G C Walk from Eltham (to Eltham Pk North aka Shepherdleas Wood) and from Woolwich (up to Plumstead Common Rd). There are several shops etc along the way but the cafe at the top of Oxleas Meadow is great rest spot, there's a public toilet too. No train stations to break this journey but a few buses on Rochester Way, Shooters Hill or Plumstead Common Rd. These woods have muddy sections even sometimes into summer. There are multiple steep bits and wood/banked earth steps along the path from Upton Rd into Shrewsbury Pk (TQ 4450 7753). The footpath/alley connecting Shrewsbury Pk and Mereworth Dr (TQ 4429 7697) may be locked at night but the park isn't locked, just the gate for cars and that one entrance. None of the other greenspaces on the route are locked either. There are many more paths through these green spaces than shown on any map, particularly Shepherdleas and Oxleas Woods, so the Green Chain signs are a great help, but not perfect. They do get misaligned (at the top of Oxleas Meadow and at Shooters Hill!) but also check the destinations carefully, the Green Chain Walk is not linear, and it's more a green web than a chain, this area is peak-GCW, this route borrows bits from 3 sections, but crosses 3 others. A sign for the wrong branch may be alluring as it shares a destination with yours, if it rejoins with yours along the way. https://par.tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/green-chain-walk The middle section sticks to the Green Chain to save navigational effort, but EltWoo 2 is even easier guys, so use that if time or effort are a bother. Or, if you'd just love even more views in other directions then make up your own detour around the streets off Plum Lane, e.g. the top of Occupation Lane, Brent Rd, Brinklow Cres, or the other Shrewsbury Pk meadow next to Rowton Rd.
About the surveyor
Coming soon.
Survey Contents
- Grading
- Photos
- Facilities
- Challenges
- Obstacles
- Accessibility
- Measurements
- Successfully completed
- Expert recommendations
- Terrain
Grading
Path surface grading
Accessibility grading
Photos
Photos from surveys are coming soon.
Facilities
- Public toilet
- Wheelchair accessible toilet
- Supermarket
- Restaurant
- Vegan restaurant
- Accommodation
- Accommodation < £50
- Campsite
- Bothy
- Free wifi
- Public phone
- Mobile Phone Coverage
- Train station
- Bench
- Picnic table
- Bus stop
- Ferry
Challenges
- Scrambling
- Wading
- Swimming
- Climbing
- Stepping stones
- Very slippery
- Very muddy
- Very icy
- Likely to flood
- Long grass sections
- Crops encroaching on path
- Diverted path
Obstacles
- Stiles
- Step and kerbs
- Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
- Flights of steps
- Gates
- Kissing gates
- Locked gates
- Disables access gates
- Cycle barriers
- Ladders
- Cattle grids
- Fords
- Narrow bridges
- Ferry required
- Acceptable road walking
- Unacceptable road walking
- Dangerous road crossings
- Walking on paths beside roads
- Walking on verges beside roads
- Railway crossings
- River crossings
- Cattle possible
- Horses possible
- Tidal area
- Potential falls
- Exposed to elements
- Remote area
- Mountainous area
- Military training area
- No visible path
- Seasonal nesting birds
- Other hazards
Accessibility
- Free of stiles
- Free of single steps/kerbs
- Free of flights of steps
- Free of other obstacles
Measurements
The narrowest part of the path is 60.00cm
The steepest uphill gradient walking East 16.00%
The steepest uphill gradient walking West 16.00%
The steepest camber gradient across the path 4.00%
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places
Successfully completed
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Expert recommendations
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Terrain
30.00% of the route is on roads
30.00% of the route is paved
30.00% of the route is lit at night
20.00% of the route is muddy
15.00% of the route is over rough ground
15.00% of the route is through long grass
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