[1] Turn left outside the Albany Centre and go down Douglas Way. Cross Deptford High Street in its pedestrianised section (on your right), and go straight ahead down the right side of Giffin Street. (There are free toilets on the left side). Cross Giffin Street opposite the Leisure Centre and turn left into Deptford Church Street. Cross this road at the pedestrian lights and continue left under the railway bridge. After 50 yards, turn right through a gate into a green area, then right again, past a baseball court to your left, to go back under the railway arches, and finally left. Cross Creekside (careful with intersecting green cycle path) and go straight on, with the Crossfield estate on your right. The path here is shared with cyclists but pedestrians have priority.
[2] Cross Ha’penny Hatch (the swing-bridge over Deptford Creek), passing on your left a spectacular relic of Deptford’s industrial past. At the T-junction with Norman Road, cross and go left until you reach the City Peninsula development. Go right into Tarves Way. The pavement is very narrow here - walkers might prefer to use the (quiet) development car park opposite. Go under the railway at Greenwich station, then left at the T-junction with Greenwich High Road, passing another entrance to Greenwich station. Cross Greenwich High Road at the pelican traffic lights, then go left, then right into Greenwich South Street. Cross this at more traffic lights and turn right along it. After some attractive shops take the first left into Circus Street (the pavement is bumpy here in places). Cross Royal Hill carefully and go straight ahead into Gloucester Circus. Go round this square; the right side is more historic. At the far end, continue to the main road (Crooms Hill), where a zebra crossing brings you directly to the gate of Greenwich Park.
(A) Greenwich Park, which boasts a Green Flag for excellence, is open daily between 6 am and dusk. Its attractions include hills which offer spectacular views of the Thames, and the Royal Observatory. This was founded by Charles the Second and built by Sir Christopher Wren to study astronomy and fix longitude. Eventually Greenwich was adopted as the Prime Meridian. The time ball on the roof was the first public time signal, dropping at exactly 1 o’clock. Ships on the river used the signal to check the time.
[3] From your left, take the third path of 4 in front of you, crossing The Avenue. Look out for cyclists. Cross the grass to the tarmac path running alongside the National Maritime Museum (entry free).
(B) The Museum contains thousands of exhibits, illuminating the whole history of our relationship with the sea. From here there are views left to Canary Wharf and right to the old Royal Observatory.
At the end of the Museum, turn left, leave the Park and go straight down the left side of Park Row. Cross Romney Road at the traffic lights. After this crossing, wheelchair and buggy users might prefer the right pavement, which is wider. Pass the old Greenwich Hospital on your right and the Royal Naval College on your left, now part of the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music, to reach the river.
(C) The Royal Naval College was formerly a royal palace, the birthplace of Henry the Eighth and Elizabeth the First among others. The Chapel and Painted Hall are worth visiting, admission free.
[4] At the river, look at the view: the Millennium Dome to your right and the Isle of Dogs straight ahead. Following the “Thames Path” sign, go left past the Royal Naval College and follow the water’s edge towards the domed roof of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel entrance, past the site of the Cutty Sark, currently being reconstructed. After the tunnel entrance, cross the concrete area (no buggy/disability access due to path improvements, please use steps) and follow the signpost onto the Thames Path. Ignore a left path leading down to a green area. Pass two cannons and on reaching a modern winebar, RB@G, turn left via six black bollards to go down Horseferry Place (unsigned). Cross the quiet Thames Street and continue to the T-junction with Creek Road. Turn right here and continue as far as Deptford Creek Bridge.
[5] At the next pedestrian lights, cross Creek Road and turn right along it, then left into Creekside. Cross the road and go left along Creekside. Cross the end of Berthon Street on your right and turn immediately right into the new garden terraces to enter the Sue Godfrey Nature Reserve. Follow the path towards the church. At the left-hand corner, cross Deptford Church Street at the pedestrian lights and go straight ahead down Coffey Street, which bears half right becoming Crossfield Street. At the cobbles and the T-junction, cross Deptford High Street at the pedestrian crossing to your right. Turn left and go under the railway bridge, eventually reaching Douglas Way and the Albany Centre.