Walk Report

Southern Borough Tops, Saturday 12th March 2022
12 walkers, 20.7 miles - leader Gavin Fuller
An unexpected sunny and comparatively warm day greeted the dozen who assembled at Sydenham Hill station for the group's latest perambulation around some of London's Borough Tops. A day started with a noticeable climb up Sydenham Hill itself to the first of the tops, one unique in London as it is shared by two boroughs, those of Lewisham and Southwark. Having managed to contain its excitement there, the group then proceeded through Sydenham Hills and Crystal Palace Parks to its second top of the day, that of Lambeth at the corner of Westow Hill, which was found somewhat underwhelming to say the least. Back across Crystal Palace Park, the walk then largely followed the Green Chain Walk through more parks and woodlands to our lunch stop at Chislehurst by the pond.
Having said goodbye to one of the party at lunchtime, the group headed past some interesting properties to Bexley and its borough top in a housing estate, which our newsletter editor ascertained was so underwhelming even those living there weren't aware of it! Carrying on down through the town, it was on to Old Farm Park, with a pond whose viewing area was curiously larger than the pond itself, and back onto the Green Chain Walk to Oxleas Woods, and a climb up the hill to the cafe at the top where we had an afternoon break.
Fully refreshed, it was on to the final top of the day, that of Greenwich in a recreation ground on Shooters Hill which did at least have some views across the Thames Estuary to enjoy. Then down through Shrewsbury Park and a final climb to a housing estate completing the 857ft of ascent for the day before the descent to Woolwich Arsenal station and the end of the walk.
Photographs by Gavin Fuller

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