[1] Start at Sydenham Hill station. Use the zebra crossing at the station to cross the road. Continue to the right a short distance to the white railings and gate. Turn left here into a wide tarmac path which goes uphill. This is Low Cross Wood Lane but there is no road sign. Further up on the left is a black gate which leads to Dulwich Woods. Take this path and continue through the woods. The woodland is mainly oak trees but there are other types to be seen.
[2] You will soon see a wooden seat on the left where two paths cross, keep going for a short distance to arrive at a small clearing with paths in all directions. This is a nice place to explore and let the children run around. Watch out for stinging nettles and avoid touching any wild fungi or mushrooms which might be poisonous.
[3] Continue taking the path on the left past the wooden seat assuming you are standing on the spot where you arrived at the clearing. As you walk along this path you will see some allotments bordered by a wooden fence through the trees on your left and you will soon come to a black gate. This is the point where you can continue ahead to Grange Lane or return through the woods.
Alternative route: If you return through the woods follow the path back to Low Cross Wood Lane, if you lose your bearings in the clearing the path you need is to the right of the black litter bin. Turn right towards the gate in College Road, turn right along College Road, cross using the zebra crossing turn left and then right into the path next to St Stephens Church.
[4] To continue along Grange Lane go straight ahead from the gate until you reach the road, turn left, you should have the allotments on your left and the golf club on your right. Continue along Grange Road. As the footpaths are very narrow it is advisable to walk on the right hand side of the road facing the oncoming traffic taking particular care at the bend in the road. If children are walking they should hold an adults hand. At the end of Grange Lane cross over and turn right into College Road. Turn left into Hunts Slip Road. At the end, turn left into Bowen Drive.
[5] Continue straight ahead. Continue over the next two junctions (Lyall Avenue is the second, but it has no street name sign). Continue past Kinsey House and immediately turn left along a path between Kinsey House and Holberry House. You are now walking towards the large historic building of Kingswoood House, turn right at the railings to reach the entrance of the play park on the left.
(A)The Kingswood Estate was originally a large house surrounded by farmland. During the nineteenth century the estate was owned by a succession of prosperous businessmen. John Lawson Johnston, a Scot, acquired Kingswood in the 1890’s. He transformed the original Georgian house into the extraordinary copy of the Scottish baronial mansion it is today. It was from his invention and skilful marketing of ‘Bovril’ that he amassed his large fortune; indeed Kingswood was once known locally as Bovril Castle! It is now a local community centre and library and some of the extravagant interiors can still be seen.
After World War 2, London’s housing needs were so great that in 1946 the London County Council announced a compulsory purchase order for Kingswood House and its surrounding land. In December 1947 the plans revealed that 748 dwellings would be built, in 3-4 storey flats, and 46 cottages, the present Kingswood Estate..
[6] The shortest route back to the station has a section of four flattish steps which can be reached by exiting the play park by the gate you entered by and turning right and then right to go down the steps that lead to the path that continues straight along the side of Kingswood House picking up the path slightly to the right, going through a gap in the low level chain link fence, towards Seeley Drive. Turn left along Seeley Drive and at the end of the road turn right into Lyall Avenue. At the top of Lyall Avenue turn left into Kingswood Drive and then left into College Drive and return to the station walking past St. Stephen's Church.
Step-free alternative: To avoid the steps, turn right from the playground, then left to walk back along the path between Holberry House and Kinsey House turn right and right again into Lyall Avenue and from there back to the station.