South East London Green Chain
Encyclopedia
The South East London Green Chain, also known as the Green Chain Walk is a linked system of open spaces
between the River Thames
and Crystal Palace Park in London, England. In 1977 four London Boroughs and the Greater London Council
created this Green Chain of 300 open spaces to protect them from building activity. The four London boroughs are Bexley
, Bromley
, Lewisham
and Greenwich
. Many parts of the system are also part of the Capital Ring
route.
The system begins at three places on the River Thames
: Thames Barrier
, Thamesmead
, and the riverside at Erith
. There are various circular walks along the route, and there is an offshoot from the main route to Chislehurst
; and the final section reaches Crystal Palace via Bromley
.
The major open spaces in the Chain are:
The complete list and the routes are to be found at www.greenchain.com.
Greenway (landscape)
A greenway is a long, narrow piece of land, often used for recreation and pedestrian and bicycle user traffic, and sometimes for streetcar, light rail or retail uses.- Terminology :...
between the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
and Crystal Palace Park in London, England. In 1977 four London Boroughs and the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
created this Green Chain of 300 open spaces to protect them from building activity. The four London boroughs are Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
, Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, Lewisham
London Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
and Greenwich
London Borough of Greenwich
The London Borough of Greenwich is an Inner London borough in south-east London, England. Taking its name from the historic town of Greenwich, the present borough was formed in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich with part of the Metropolitan...
. Many parts of the system are also part of the Capital Ring
Capital Ring
The Capital Ring is a strategic walking route that is being promoted by London's 33 local councils, led by the City of London Corporation in partnership with the Greater London Authority and its functional body for regional transport, Transport for London, through which much of the funding is...
route.
The system begins at three places on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
: Thames Barrier
Thames Barrier
The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier and is located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the sea...
, Thamesmead
Thamesmead
Thamesmead is a district of south-east London, England, located in the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley. It is situated east of Charing Cross....
, and the riverside at Erith
Erith
Erith is a district of southeast London on the River Thames. Erith's town centre has undergone a series of modernisations since 1961.-Pre-medieval:...
. There are various circular walks along the route, and there is an offshoot from the main route to Chislehurst
Chislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
; and the final section reaches Crystal Palace via Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
.
The major open spaces in the Chain are:
- Lesnes AbbeyLesnes AbbeyLesnes Abbey is a former abbey, now ruined, in Abbey Wood, in the London Borough of Bexley. It is a scheduled ancient monument and the adjacent park and heath are a Site of Special Scientific Interest...
- Bostall Heath and WoodsBostall Heath and WoodsBostall Heath and Woods is an area of 159.1 hectares of woodland with areas of heathland located in the London Borough of Greenwich ward of Abbey Wood and adjacent to Lesnes Abbey Woods. The area to the south of the A206 is Bostall Woods and to the north is Bostall Heath...
- Parks in CharltonCharlton, LondonCharlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
including Maryon Wilson Park - Woolwich CommonWoolwich CommonWoolwich Common is an area of military land located to the south of the town centre of Woolwich in South East London England.It is bounded on the south side by the A207 Shooter's Hill Road, and on the east by Academy Road that the former Royal Military Academy fronts. Situated to the west is the...
- Plumstead CommonPlumstead CommonPlumstead Common is a common in Plumstead, in the London Borough of Greenwich, south-east London. It is bound to the north by Old Mill Road and to the south by Plumstead Common Road. To the east lies Winn or Winn's Common...
- Shooters Hill area, including Oxleas WoodOxleas WoodOxleas Wood is one of the few remaining areas of ancient deciduous forest in the London Borough of Greenwich in southeast London, dating back over 8,000 years...
and several other woods and open spaces - Eltham Park and Common
- Eltham PalaceEltham PalaceEltham Palace is a large house in Eltham, within the London Borough of Greenwich, South East London, England. It is an unoccupied royal residence and owned by the Crown Estate. In 1995 its management was handed over to English Heritage which restored the building in 1999 and opened it to the public...
- Avery Hill Park
- Chinbrook MeadowsChinbrook MeadowsChinbrook Meadows sometimes Chinbrook Meadow in southeast London, England is one of Lewisham's public open spaces or parks in the south of Chinbrook and Grove Park in the London Borough of Lewisham and postcode district but next to the border with the London Borough of Bromley and the postcode...
- Elmstead Woods
- Parks around BeckenhamBeckenhamBeckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
, including Beckenham Place ParkBeckenham Place ParkBeckenham Place Park is located mainly in Beckenham but is under the jurisdiction of the London Borough of Lewisham in South East London. The Park lies on the Lewisham/Bromley border strictly speaking between Downham, Bellingham, Beckenham and Shortlands. It was acquired from the Cator Estate by... - Parks around BromleyBromleyBromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
including ElmsteadElmsteadElmstead is a residential district in the London Borough of Bromley lying between Chislehurst, Mottingham, Bromley and Bickley.Elmstead Woods, an ancient woodland, has public access from Elmstead Lane...
Woods, Sundridge Park and ChislehurstChislehurstChislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
Common - Crystal Palace Park
The complete list and the routes are to be found at www.greenchain.com.