[1] Starting between Peckham Library and Peckham Pulse Healthy Living Centre take the wide path that marks the start of the Surrey Canal Walk.
(A) This is at the head of the former Surrey Canal, completed in 1826. A notice board on your left as you start gives you further information about the history and ecology of the area, which is also a cycle route (London Network 22).
[2] The broad tarmac path wends its way through a residential landscape, along with allotments on the right side of the path. Ignore all side turnings, keeping ahead, and follow the blue cycle route signs to Burgess Park, passing under two road bridges - the first under Commercial Way and the second one under Willowbrook Road. Watch out for cyclists as this is a shared path.
[3] Eventually you will reach a path junction - turn left at the blue cycle sign for Burgess Park, to join Trafalgar Avenue. Cross Trafalgar Avenue at the light-controlled pedestrian crossing on your left and go through the gates into Burgess Park.
(B) At 46 hectares (113 acres), Burgess Park is one of the largest parks in South London. Unlike most other parks in London, Burgess Park was carved out of a highly built-up area of the city. Virtually all the land now occupied by the park was previously housing, industry and transport infrastructure.
[4] Follow the broad straight path to pass under a derelict footbridge, and soon afterwards turn right between the signpost and notice board towards Chumleigh Gardens. At the path junction turn left along a slightly worn path and then right at the next junction towards the car park in front of you.
[5] As you reach the buildings of Chumleigh Gardens on your left, go through the gate on your left and along a paved path, soon to turn left again through another gate into a hidden garden with a pond.
Once inside, on your left, note the ornate iron gates commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Chumleigh Gardens Community Allotments area beyond. The listed buildings here are former almshouses.
Turn right between the hedge and the pond, then right again through a gap in the hedge to a mosaic tiled pond with a date palm as a centrepiece.
Chumleigh Gardens is a “World Garden” reflecting the styles and plants from different parts of the world, and includes Asian, African and Caribbean, Mediterranean and Islamic gardens.Take time to explore these unique gardens.
Then retrace your steps back through the gap in the hedge, left and left again through a gate to the paved path. Continue straight ahead with buildings on your left, pass the toilets and go through another gate to emerge onto a newly constructed, wide paved area, with Chumleigh Gardens Play Area in front of you. You will see Burgess Park Café on your immediate right (light meals and disabled toilet).
[6] Continue round the side of the building to return on the path by which you accessed the buildings, keeping the buildings on your right. Turn right at the path junction and straight ahead along the path, through the gate to Wells Way. Turn right and cross Wells Way at the light-controlled pedestrian crossing. Turn left and immediately right through the gate into Burgess Park (west side). Follow the path round to the left until you reach a broad path running parallel to the park access on New Church Road. The historic Burgess Park lime kiln is on your right. Join New Church Road (no road sign nearby), turning right to reach a road barrier. Go around the barrier and continue ahead to the zebra crossing.
[7] Go left over the crossing into Edmund Street ahead, passing Draycott Close on your right. Continue along Edmund Street, which turns into then Benhill Road, crossing Durfrey Place and Owgan Close. Then, turn left onto Elmington Road. Take your first onto St Giles Road (careful, no official crossing) walking on the right hand side of the road. Continue along to turn right through the gate of Brunswick Park. Turn left before the playground and follow the path parallel to the road. Turn left at the path junction (before the tennis courts) and exit the park onto St Giles Road. Cross St Giles Road (careful, busy road with no official crossing) and turn right to reach Peckham Road.
[8] Turn left at Peckham Road and cross it at the traffic lights. Turn left and cross Vestry Road at the traffic lights. At the corner of Peckham Road and Vestry Road, enter a large gateway with the sign ‘Lucas Gardens’. Enter the park and follow the main path that runs parallel with Vestry Road to the top of the park. The children’s adventure playground is at the far end of the park. Exit the park, turning right and then turn left through the gate. Continue walking down Vestry Road crossing over Linnel Road, Oswyth Road and Gairloch Road to reach Lyndhurst Grove. Turn left to cross Shenley Road and Crofton Road. At the corner of Bushey Hill Road cross over Lyndhurst Grove (careful, no official crossing), continuing in the same direction.
[9] Turn right into Azenby Road and carry on to the end to enter Warwick Gardens via a gate. Turn left at the children’s playground, bearing left at the path junction, towards the road. Exit the park via gates to a zebra crossing on Lyndhurst Way. Cross to the centre island then take the left hand crossing to Holly Grove, continuing ahead.
[10] Take the first left onto Bellenden Road and walk to a mini roundabout. There is a camber on the footpath in places but no kerbs to negotiate. Continue ahead, crossing Highshore Road to bear right, passing Bellenden Road Nature Garden on your left. On reaching Peckham Road cross Bellenden Road at the traffic lights, then left across Peckham Road to Melon Road opposite. Pass between the huge pots of olive trees to a wide paved path leading to a large yellow brick building, which is Peckham Pulse Healthy Living Centre. Continue along this path to Peckham Square, with the library in front of you to finish the walk.