Starting from Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, Rotherhithe
The Surrey Commercial Docks operated in one form or another from 1696 to 1969. 85% of the peninsula, an area of 460 acres, was covered by a system of nine docks, six timber ponds and a canal. The area remained derelict for over a decade, with much of the warehousing demolished and over 90% of the docks filled in. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the docks were extensively redeveloped, and renamed Surrey Quays.
[1] On leaving centre cross road, turn right. Shortly after the church, opposite Marley Street, turn left into pedestrian path and go straight on into Warndon Street. At the main road, Rotherhithe New Road, cross at the pedestrian lights on the left. Go straight ahead on footpath alongside the school. At Hawkstone Road ,using zebra crossing, cross the road. Turn left and then right to enter Southwark Park. Go through the car park and once inside the park railings take the right hand path.
[2] Follow the path past the running track and fork right to the exit at China Hall gate onto Lower Road. Turn left and then, opposite the China Hall Pub, cross road, using pedestrian refuge. On the far side turn left and then continue on right hand side of road. Turn right at Hothfield Place and at end follow path to right and up steps or ramp. Use the zebra crossing and path to cross the car park towards the Surrey Quays Shopping centre entrance.
[3] At the entrance turn left and ,keeping close to the building,follow the path with shopping centre on your right until you reach waterside of Canada Water.
(A) The Canada Dock was the main dock for unloading timber where it was either stored in large open sided sheds, stored in ‘ponds’ or loaded into barges for transhipment to the Surrey Canal or to wharves further up the Thames. Today half of the dock has been filled and it is now known as Canada Water and has a shopping mall, cinema complex and a bus station.
[4] Turn right, passing BHS and then left passing Decathlon. Just before the wooden footbridge, turn right along thecanal (Albion Channel). Then,just before road bridge, go down towards the water side and under the bridge. Pass the footbridge and at the next one go up the ramp to turn right into Brass Talley Avenue. Turn left into Archangel Street and continue past Timber Pond Road. At end of the road turn left into St Elmos Road, walk past the church and the school. At the end use the steps or ramp and then bear right to Stave Hill and the Ecology Park.
Pause at the bottom of the Stave Hill steps – have a climb for the view! Albion Channel, named after the former Albion Dock, is a landscaping feature giving the area a distinctly Dutch canal flavour. The Ecology Park has been developed on the former Stave Dock which was filled in during 1984. The Park is a mosaic of winding paths, grassland, woodland, scrub and wetland habitats which support a wide variety of wildlife. We skirt the edges on this walk but it is well worth a separate visit on another occasion. Stave Hill is a 30 ft. (9.1m.) high, artificial mound, using waste material and rubble. There is a fine view of London and Canary Wharf from the top and a relief map of the 1896 docks in cast bronze (by Michael Rizzello.)
[5] Leave Stave Hill on the far side through the red and black ‘gateposts’ and go into the Russia Dock Woodland. Go past Eco Park Arches and shortly at fork turn right. At T junction and green go left (dry ford). After rain you may need to use stepping stones or go back to T-junction and head along the cobbled former Russia Dock quay. After the ford turn right. The path turns to the left where it joins the alternative route - note mooring bollards and railway line. At first pedestrian barrier, by bridge note Compass Rose set into quayside.
In 1980 Russia Dock, originally a dock used for importing timber from Norway, Russia and Sweden, was in-filled and planted as native grass areas for recreational activities, and a series of water channels and ponds providing habitats for kingfishers and herons. The Compass Rose indicates the direction and distance of major ports shipping cargo to the Surrey Docks.
[6] Turn right, to cross the bridge and then immediately turn left along a winding path. Continue on the winding path past the further bridge. At the main road go under the road, through a pedestrian barrier and up the slope to the Greenland Dock waterfront.
Greenland Dock dates back to the 17th Century and was originally known as Howland Great Wet Dock. It was twice the current size and at the time one of the largest in the world. It was later renamed Greenland Dock in recognition of the whaling trade during the 18th Century. The whaling trade declined in the 19th century and gave way to timber and grain imports. As you walk around the quays you will notice foreign street names and old capstans.
[7] Turn right and follow the dockside round to left and then right. At the end of the dock go under Redriff Road and turn left for the traffic lights. Turn right and ,using the pedestrian lights, go along the right hand side of Redriff Road.
[8] At the main road T-junction (Lower Road) use Pedestrian lights to cross to far side of Lower road and then turn left. Turn right into Cope Street and cross to the left hand side by width restriction barriers. Turn left into Rotherhithe Old Road.
[9] At the next junction continue straight on across Rotherhithe New Road using zebra crossings and on the far side cut through into St Helena Road. Continue along St Helena Road and on the left, opposite Luxford Street, cut through to Concorde Road (to right of sign 46-75 St Helena Road). Then turn right and the centre is a short distance, on the left, where the road becomes Eugenia Road.