Walk Report

Woolwich Heritage & High Points, Wednesday 23rd September 2020
5 walkers, 7.5 miles - leader Paul Lawrence
This walk explored the military history of Woolwich and its high points, parks and woods, along with its role in the 2012 Olympics. It took in the Arsenal, the site until recently of England's historic armaments factory and birthplace of Arsenal FC, strolled along Woolwich riverside, and viewed the VCs Memorial and the impressive frontage of Woolwich Artillery Barracks. Joining the Games 100 route, we crossed the Common, that was the assembly point where British armies in ages past assembled and camped, passing the site of the 2012 Olympic shooting and archery venue, now restored. Up to Shooters Hill, we enjoyed leafy Oxleas Woods with its Severndroog Castle, a folly with extensive views of seven counties, now restored and reopened to the public. At the Oxleas cafe with its distant rural views south east, we briefly stopped, donning our waterproofs for a passing shower. Here in the Olympics there was a missile battery nearby. Then passing the water tower, a local landmark, and on through Shrewsbury Park, the walk's highest point, with extensive views now to the north and across the Thames. We returned to the town centre across Plumstead Commons using parts of the Green Chain Walks. A less attractive memory of Woolwich's recent past was of the 2011 riots when the Great Harry Wetherspoons was burnt down. Crossing the square over the Black Lives Matter logo we reached the now restored Great Harry for a post walk supper where all the nation's problems were easily resolved over a convivial drink!
There is a useful free PDF guide from Greenwich Heritage: Woolwich_Walk_adults at www.greenwichheritage.co.uk.. For route notes see downloadable walk report
Photographs by Paul Lawrence. More on this link: WoolwichHeritage230920 https://photos.app.goo.gl/AJuJaHjPmZtiZW637.

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