[1] From the surgery drive, turn right into Nunhead Grove and cross Linden Grove at the end. Go ahead along Brockley Footpath, which has some uneven stony ground, and go uphill (a 30 metre ascent). You’ll pass between Nunhead Cemetery on your left and some covered reservoirs on your right. Further on, the path descends. Cross Limesford Road at Green Chain Walk (GCW) sign into Inverton Road ahead.
To avoid the uphill and downhill sections on Brockley Footpath, turn left along Linden Grove and turn right into Nunhead Cemetery. Go straight ahead to the Anglican chapel and then turn right. Turn left after 50 metres at a Green Chain Walk sign, along a broad path. Continue past an open area on left and a small, white War Memorial area on right, and head through the Limesford Road exit gates with a Green Cain Walk (GCW) sign ahead. Turn right into Limesford Road and turn left into Inverton Road (marked by GCW signs).
[2] Go ahead along Inverton Road to the far end, and cross Ivydale Road. Continue ahead along Mertins Road, then cross Athenlay Road. Continue ahead a little, along Brockley Way, and turn right into Brenchley Gardens (the road, not the parkland of the same name). Continue past the entrance to Camberwell New Cemetery on the left and Kelvington Road on the right.
[3] About 100 metres past the junction with Kelvington Road, turn left through a gate by a signboard and a GCW sign, which will take you to One Tree Hill. Go up a very uneven path (unsuitable for buggies) and go left when the path forks (marked by GCW wooden waymarker). Continue ahead uphill to 5 wide steps, and carry on straight. Climb up a flight of 28 steps and follow the path to the right. Follow a second path to the right, and at a GCW signpost with several pointers to local places of interest. Go half right, past a WW1 gun emplacement, to some seats with a panoramic view beyond them. Have a good rest, you deserve it! Admire the fine view northwards over central London in clear weather, a view once enjoyed by Elizabeth I. The original spot at which she sat was marked by planting the Oak of Honor tree, long since deceased (hence the local area is called Honor Oak Park). It was replaced in the early 20th century with more tree planting. There is a committed local society, One Tree HIll Society, who celebrate the New Year festivities with fireworks at this viewpoint. 2011 developments have provided new benches and an information panel on the 1916 gun emplacement from which unsuccessful attempts were made to shoot down German Zeppelin balloons.
[4] Go back to the Green Chain Walk signpost and turn left at the signpost to Ruth Sale Gardens/Brenchley Gardens. Go down a flight of 33 wide steps and continue ahead down the path. Turn right by houses on the left, ignoring the exit gate on the left. Follow the path and head down 16 wide and very long steps. Go down 7 more steps, go through a gate and then cross the road at the island crossing, and enter the parkland called Brenchley Gardens opposite One Tree Hill.
If you prefer to avoid the gradients on the way to One Tree Hill, continue along the road from the junction with Brockley Way, and enter Brenchley Gardens by a signboard on the right.
[5] Go through the gate into the gardens. Turn right down a grass slope (there is a path that can be muddy) and go ahead past a GCW wooden waymarker past a wellworn bench on a tiled plinth on the left. Continue along the grass parallel to the road. Notice the grass-covered reservoirs and domed pumping station on the left. Continue parallel to the road and eventually head down a short slope to a double iron gate. This is often open, but if not, go back a short distance and leave Brenchley Gardens through another iron gate with a GCW sign on the left.
[6] Exit the gardens and turn left into Kelvington Road. Turn left at a crossroads into Cheltenham Road. Continue ahead at a junction into Peckham Rye, which is a busy main road. Walk along the edge of Peckham Rye Common on the grass or pavement.
[7] Opposite Frome House flats, cross Peckham Rye at a zebra crossing. Head left a little, then turn right into Waveney Avenue. Bear left, still on Waveney Avenue, and turn right into Forester Road. Go straight on to the end. Turn right into Linden Grove. Turn left into Nunhead Grove and return to the surgery.