[1] Turn right outside the Surgery and then turn right along Bellingham Green. Turn right along Randlesdown Road. Go on past the leisure centre on the right and over the railway.
[2] Turn right into Bromley Road, continue along to Southend Lane and cross at the lights.
To shorten the walk here cross Bromley Road using the pedestrian crossing and walk along Whitefoot Road until you reach the far entrance to Forster Memorial Park. From here follow the description from point (5). This will mean however, that you miss the woodland walk.
Continue along Bromley Road. Notice a picturesque pond on the right. Cross Beckenham Hill Road at the pedestrian crossing and continue along Bromley Road to shopping parades.
[3] Cross Bromley Road at a zebra crossing then turn left across Oakridge Road. Go through a set of gates then go ahead along the Downham Woodland Walk. Cross Haddington Road and continue along the woodland walk.
Most of the woodland that you will see is classed as ancient – meaning that it predates the Doomsday Book in 1066 at the very least. The path itself dates from at least 1805 when it appeared on a map of the area.
[4] Cross Oakshade Road and then go ahead through more woodland. Go right through a gate to reach Downderry Road. Turn left along Downderry Road. Turn right along Whitefoot Lane, crossing at the pedestrian lights and then turn left.
[5] Turn right into Forster Memorial Park.
The parkland formed part of Lord Foster’s estate and was originally part of the woodland you have just walked through. It was donated for public use as a memorial to Lord Foster’s two sons who died during the First World War.
Once in the park turn left, and then right. Turn left before a small, white building just ahead. Walk past a pavilion on the left, there are toilets inside. Go right at a path fork and then continue past playing fields on the right. At the next corner of the fields and by a shrub garden on the right, go half left on a path. Go ahead at two successive path crossings. Go out of the park through gates.
[6] Continue along a drive past a school to a road. Turn left along Bellingham Road and walk down to the end and cross Bromley Road at the traffic lights. Go ahead along Randlesdown Road past a leisure centre and station. Turn left at Bellingham Green and go back to the Surgery.