Join us for a walk through ancient forests, a ruined abbey and along the Thames

Time to revisit one of our Most favourite walks: Starting in Falconwood, we will cross Shepherdleas Wood, Oxleas Wood, Shooters Hill, Bostall Woods and Bostall Heath before we end our walk in Abbey Wood, from where you can catch a train back, or you can join us for an extended walk to the river Thames. Following the Thames we will walk to Woolwich Ferry, from where we can catch a Thames Clipper back to central London.

We love those ancient forests and woodlands in this often overseen part of London. This walk will lead us through grasslands, heaths and ancient forests, and will end by the intriguing ruin of Lesnes Abbey. No guarantees with the weird climate we have this year, but if we are lucky, the bluebells will be out, and we might even find some wild garlic.

Will you join us?

How to get there:

We will meet by the FCB coffeeshop next to Denmark Hill station at 9.30 am, aiming to take the 9.46 am train to Falconwood.

This is the train to Gravesend, which also stops in Peckham Rye (9.48 am), Nunhead (9.51 am) and Lewisham (9.56 am), before it reaches Falconwood at 10.09 am.

If you want to join us at a later station, then please take note of my mobile 078 078 3456 4, just in case you can’t find us!

Terrain and length of the route

The route from Falconwood to Lesnes Abbey is about 7 miles, but might be slightly longer as we wander around Abbey wood to explore the ruins of the old Abbey. This walk follows uneven forest paths, and there are some hilly bits along the way.

The walk from Lesnes Abbey to the Woolwich Ferry is about 5.5 miles. No need to decide in advance, just join us for the walk, feel how you feel and if there are enough takers, we will just keep walking (just like we did last time!)

Food/drinks & what to bring:
I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but there are a few cafes and pubs along this route, so we have the option of warming up with a hot drink and maybe something to eat inside if the weather isn’t attractive enough to eat outside.

Don’t forget to bring water or something else to drink for on the way.

We cannot be lucky every week, so just in case the British weather is stronger than my Sun-Angel powers, bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile. A small umbrella and a plastic bag to sit on can make a rainy lunch break a little bit more comfortable.

But I am optimistic about the weather and have a reputation to uphold, so I am counting on sunshine! Who can join?

Anyone who is fit enough to walk 7 miles over slightly uneven ground, with some hilly bits along the route.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. You don't have to be a Nordic Walker (yet), that doesn’t matter, as long as you are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊

Never walked with us before? This might be a nice occasion to find out how fun and friendly we are!
Cost:

£10 or, if you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers, one stamp on your 10 session card. Genuinely poverty stricken? £5

(Train and ferry tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

If you would like to borrow some of my poles, please make sure to text me ON THE MORNING OF THE WALK! Please, please don't ask me a week in advance. I am sure I will forget otherwise and I would hate to disappoint you.