Sydenham Walking

Part of "Park at Bell Green, Sydenham" by Sam Jones - courtesy of Lewisham Walking Forum

STOP PRESS - 3RD LEWISHAM WALKING FESTIVAL WALKS IN SYDENHAM <click here>

Sydenham 200 years ago was almost uninhabited. It was dominated by the West Wood & Sydenham Common. Sydenham Common covered 500 acres and had undulating hills, streams and valleys. It was used for grazing animals, collecting wood, recreation, hunting and fairs. However in 1810 an enclosure act was passed, ownership passed to local landowners and major changes occurred. The Common & Wood have almost disappeared but the landowners built parks as well as homes.

Crystal Palace Park served as a recreational area for the whole of London. Today it forms the start of the 'Green Chain Walk' across South East London. Sydenham's other main parks - Wells Park, Mayow Park & Home Park provide an opportunity to walk, play and rest.

If you want to rediscover 'Green Sydenham' there are many oportunities to walk alone or in groups:

EXPLORE SYDENHAM COMMON - There are directions with notes for a 3 mile walk around the area plus some follow-up ideas on www.london-footprints.co.uk/wksydcommintro.htm The london-footprints website includes over 70 other walks in the London Travelcard area including Dulwich, Penge and Upper Norwood. A complete list can be found at www.london-footprints.co.uk/walkslist.htm

THE GREEN CHAIN WALK - Crystal Palace to the Thames. The 40 mile network of walks links South East London's green spaces and is broken down into segments suitable for both short and long walks or places you can just enjoy. In 1977 the four London Boroughs of Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham & Greenwich create the Green Chain. Today there are nearly 300 Green Chain open spaces which include some of the finest landscapes in South East London. The walk from Crystal Palace Park passes through Penge and then into Sydenham and the Alexandra Recreation Ground (just off Newlands Park) and on to Cator Park. More information here: www.greenchain.com

LEWISHAM WALKING FORUM - annually organise a walking festival including walks around Sydenham. See the LWF website www.lwf.org.uk for further details.