[1] On leaving Sydenham Gardens, take the pavement right; when you reach the corner of Wynett Road, go left down it. At Perry Vale turn right. When you reach a small central reservation in the road, cross via it - there are kerb ramps - and continue right.
[2] At Normanton Street turn left. (Shops selling food can be reached further along Perry Vale). Normanton Street has no left-hand pavement for much of its length; walkers may prefer to cross this quiet street as soon as it is safe to do this, though there is no obvious place to do this, re-crossing at the top. At the junction with Shipman Road, turn left.
[3] At the corner where it becomes Trilby Road, continue straight ahead. The path skirts Perrymount Primary School. At the end of the path, aim half-right for South Road opposite. Kerb ramps enable those on wheels to reach it across Sunderland Road (unsigned). Follow the right-hand pavement of South Road.
Up in front on the sky-line can be seen the Horniman Museum and Gardens, worth a visit but unfortunately beyond the scope of these walks. Reach a gate into the churchyard of the church of St. George with Christ Church and St. Paul. Churches sited on the tops of hills, as this one is, are often dedicated to one of the dragon-conquering saints, George, Margaret or Michael; the sites were often the sites of pre- Christian worship, and it was thought that these saints could best neutralise whatever power attracted such worship in the first place. The path through this gate is a dead end. However, it does offer a view of the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, also briefly visible from the top of Church Rise later.
[4] Continue along South Road. Cross Church Rise and go right down it. At Waldram Park Road, turn left towards Forest Hill station.
A most interesting alternative route way into the centre of Forest Hill is via a foot tunnel under the railway station (straight ahead, then right). However, the steps make this route unsuitable for those on wheels; they should cross Waldram Park Road after the junction with Westfield Road and follow Waldram Crescent under the road bridge. Kerb ramps and pedestrian lights aid the crossing of any roads. Follow the left hand pavement to join up with the pedestrian access under Forest Hill station.
The station was hit by a V1 flying bomb on 24th June 1944. This railway line was built on the line of the former Croydon Canal, constructed in the early 19th century to provide access to boat transport for raw materials and finished goods for businesses between Croydon and the Surrey Docks. The last remnant of this canal is reputedly a retaining wall in the grounds of the Dartmouth Arms pub, 50 yards on your left up Dartmouth Road. Provisions are available from many sources here, including the pub, which stocks the company’s usual range of real ales and has a straightforward but attractive menu. The pub was near the scene of the notorious murder of Mary Clarke, who on 6th June 1831 was thrown into the canal by the father of her unborn child.
[5] Regain the opposite end of the foot tunnel by the tunnel or via Waldram Crescent. From there, turn right along the pavement of Perry Vale, crossing first the entry into an industrial estate, then Dacres Road via low kerbs and carrying on.
[6] At Windrush Lane go right up it or take the concrete path which leaves and then returns to the lane via the entry to Newbridge Point. At the end of the lane, take the path right by a basketball court. At the foot of steps turn left by a line of garages (Fifield Lane, unsigned).
[7] At Bampton Road turn left. Continue to Inglemere Road and turn left into that. Pass vehicle access first, then a small open space with benches. Pass the Senior Citizens Club, a low white brick building on your left. Immediately past it, go left down a concrete path. Continue to the bottom, though in sight of the main road a path right parallel to that road may be preferred. Turn right along Perry Vale. Cross Mayow Road at the kerb ramps and turn right up it. Opposite no.14 turn left through an arch.
[8] Once through it, turn right into Shifford Path. Follow this left to its end in Wynett Road, then go right to regain Sydenham Gardens.