South east London is home to some of London’s most popular parks and green chain walks, set in neighbourhoods with independent businesses and plenty of places to eat and drink.
So, if you’re looking for a winter stroll to walk off the Christmas chocolates and turkey, we’ve rounded up five of the best walks in south east London we think you should do this winter.
Here are our top five picks:
Scadbury Park, Chislehurst
Spanning over 300 acres, Scadbury Park Nature Reserve offers a great place to walk with woodland areas, river views and a medieval manor house.
If you fancy a long walk, take the Acorn Nature Trail lasting two and a half miles.
If you’re into history, explore the Scadbury Manor estate which dates back to the year 1200.
Oxleas Woods, Shooters Hill
Oxleas Wood in Shooters Hill boasts 66 hectares of land, with the ancient woodland dating back 8,000 years.
The woodland is a popular spot for dog walkers with woodland areas, a green chain walk and open areas of ground to explore.
The woods are also the home of Severdroog Castle, first built in the 18th century, which features a tea room and a viewing platform with great views of the London skyline.
Greenwich Park, Greenwich
Known for its links to royalty, historic buildings and the many films shot there, Greenwich Park is one of south London’s most popular walking spots all year round.
With 182 acres of land to explore and fantastic views of the London skyline, there’s so much to explore in Greenwich Park even during the winter months.
If you get chilly, there’s plenty of museums, cafés and pubs nearby to stop off in.
If you’re an astronomy buff, why not explore the historic Royal Observatory and watch a planetarium show to find out what you can spot in the night sky right now, with tickets starting from £10 for adults and £5 for children.
If you fancy a drink, take a detour to Greenwich’s oldest pub, the Plume of Feathers, just a short walk from the park’s south gates.
If you’re in the mood for some ice skating, why not check out the ice rink located in front of the Queen’s House, with views of the Thames and Greenwich Park.
The ice rink is open until January 7, with ticket prices starting from £17 for adults and £10 for children.
Lesnes Abbey, Abbey Wood
If you’re looking for a woodland area with easy links to central London, Lesnes Abbey in Abbey Wood is a great choice for a winter’s walk.
Lesney Abbey Woods is an ancient woodland boasting 88 acres of land, and is situated near the site of Lesnes Abbey, a Grade II listed monument dating back to 1178.
The woodlands have been recognised in the internationally renowned Green Flag Awards, marking it as one of the UK’s best green spaces.
The area is a popular spot for families and dog walkers all year round, with several walking paths and things to see, including the Monk’s Garden and ancient pond.
Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham
Beckenham Place Park covers 96 hectares of land, featuring listed buildings and a number of landscaped gardens to explore.
The park hosts a lake, a woodland walk and sunken gardens.
If you get peckish, stop off at one of their two cafés to grab a hot drink or something to eat.
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/leisure/24017992.five-best-winter-walks-take-south-east-london/
