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Blythe Hill Fields Extended

Difficulty Easy

Walking time 1 hour 33 minutes

Length 5.0km / 3.1mi

Route developer: Helen Toomey

Route checker: Robert Segulem

Start location Woolstone Medical Centre, Catford. SE23 2SG
Route Summary A circular walk around Catford, following Pool River and with fine views over the City and Thames Estuary.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Trains to Catford, Catford Bridge, Bellingham

Description

[1] Leave Woolstone Medical Centre and turn left into Woolstone Road, crossing Vancouver Road and walking to the end where it joins Catford Hill. Just before this, turn sharp left into Blythe Vale which is blocked to traffic. Follow it to the end where it meets Stanstead Road. Turn left a little and use the zebra crossing to go over Stanstead Road. Go right a little and turn left into Blythe Hill Lane, past Blythe Hill Tavern on the left hand corner. Go up Blythe Hill Lane and enter Blythe Hill Fields ahead.

[2] Climb up to the plateau with its panoramic view of the City and Thames Estuary. On reaching a clearly signed path crossroads, turn right, following the sign to Catford Stations. Descend to the exit on Montacute Road, and enjoy the view of Catford before you. The road name signage from here may be a little misleading, but if you follow the blue cycle route signs to Catford/Lewisham, you will not get lost.

[3] Cross over Montacute Road, and as it bends downwards ahead of you, descend into it almost immediately. When it joins Ravensbourne Crescent, turn left and follow the crescent clockwise to Ravensbourne Park. Cross over Ravensbourne Park, and to the left of Iona Close ahead of you, you will see an entrance to an open space. Follow the track, and on reaching a path crossroads, turn right to descend, presently, to the River Ravensbourne and the two Catford railway stations. The river will now be your guide for some time.

[4]  At the river, turn right for a little while, and cross the river over a footbridge. Turn immediately right into Adenmore Road to pass between the two Catford stations. Don’t mount the steps up to Catford Bridge. Go under the road bridge to approach a small industrial estate (using the pavement), and follow the Waterlink Way blue cycle path Route 21 signs to Crystal Palace ahead. You are now walking along a branch of the Ravensbourne, the Pool River.

[5] Follow the Pool River for a while until you see a railway footbridge on your left and a river bridge on your right. Turn sharp right to cross the river, ignoring the continuing river path to Bell Green/Sydenham, and go past a play area on your left into Winsford Road. At the end, turn right into Perry Hill until you see an island crossing, and cross here with great care. Over the other side, turn right, and take the next left turn into Hawkesfield Road. This attractive road is quite a climb, but its trees offer delightful colours over the seasons as it brings you back to Woolstone Road at the end. Turn right onto Woolstone Road and cross over at the nearest island crossing. Turn right and continue back to the Medical Centre.

POI information No details available.
Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements

Route originally developed by: Helen Toomey 

Photo - The River Pool © (Ian Yarham) / CC BY-SA 2.0

  • The River Pool
    The River Pool
    By - © Copyright Ian Yarham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence (see acknowledgements)
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