Dave Sergeant

This walks continues from last week's walk following the Thames around the Greenwich peninsular as far as the Thames Barrier, then through Maryon Park, Maryon Wilson Park, Charlton Park and to Woolwich Common where I broke off. Another walk from Inner London Ramblers.

The walk starts at Greenwich North tube station by the O2 then through the elevated walkway down to the river. Antony Gormley's Quantum Cloud stands proudly just off shore with the Dangleway cable car in the distance.

The Greenwich Peninsular Ecology Park is passed. Although their website suggested it should be open it appeared closed and the notice outside gave 'Spring and Summer' opening times. The outer boardwalk for the outer area I have explored in the past was closed for repairs. So I pressed on and soon arrived at the Thames Barrier.

Through a stretch of gardens down to Woolwich Road and then into Maryon Park where the route of the Capital Ring and Green Chain walk is followed across the railway line. This area was originally sand pits and named after the Maryon-Wilson family who previously owned the land.

Then into Maryon Wilson park which is more open woodland and where there is a large animal enclosure with sheep and other animals. The guide suggested the path directly through here was closed because of bird flu but I found it open and no signs to say there was a problem.

Into Charlton Park with a walk around here. The house is still not open to the public. The remains of an ancient mulberry tree, next to the summer house, are seen.

Just outside the park, another shot of the summer house and Charlton Church in The Village.

The Amnesty Peace Garden beside Charlton House. Then after a short stretch of road walking past Inigo Jones Road and Hornfair Park into Woolwich Common with the houses of Shooters Hill in the distance.

The Inner London Ramblers walk continues on to Blackheath here after a short circuit of the Common. As I was breaking my walk I took the path across the Common towards Woolwich. I lunched in the Old Harry there before taking the Elizabeth Line back to Central London. One change since I last used that line is that you can now catch a train all the way to Reading or Heathrow. I changed at Bond Street, not open last time, but found the interchange to the Jubilee Line there a long walk through corridors. Then the train home, and all my trains were punctual to the minute.

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