River Walk/Hike, Docks, Nature and Cutty Sark: Surrey Quays to Greenwich- 7 mi
Details
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Join us for a walk/hike from Surrey Quays (Overground) to Greenwich Cutty Sark (DLR). We shall visit a part of Rotherhithe, see former warehouses reconverted into flats and look at the outside of Brunel's Engine House. We shall walk towards Surrey Water and cross a swing bridge, move on to Stave Hill ecological park and enjoy a great view of the Thames on the way.
Walk length 7 miles/12 km approx. linear. The ground is overall flat. The end time may vary, depending on pace and weather.
There will be a stop at the Moby Dick pub, Brunswick Quay for a toilet break and a quick drink.
Key points of the walk:
SOUTHWARK PARK
It was opened to the public in 1869. A pretty park, it is located next to Surrey Quays station and has toilets and coffee shop facilities.
BRUNEL'S ENGINE HOUSE
The tunnel shaft and pumping house for Marc Brunel's tunnel were constructed between 1825 and 1843. This was the first pathway under a navigable river in the world.
SURREY WATER AND SWING BRIDGES
There are two Scherzer bascule bridges painted in red, one on Greenland Dock and the other crosses the Surrey basin entrance lock. None of them is functional now but they are landmarks in Rotherhithe. The bridges were built to a design by William Donald Scherzer of Chicago, who patented the design in 1893. (Source: http://www.russiadock.blogspot.com)
STAVE HILL ECOLOGICAL PARK
After walking through the woodland, we shall climb to the top of Stave Hill, a human-made mound that overlooks the area. It has a viewing platform with a sculpture-map representing the docks while in activity over fifty years ago.
Russia dock is made up of a series of ponds which include Globe and Joe's pond, named after a former resident who enjoyed walking there. Globe pond was one of the old Surrey docks ponds until the late 1970s when finally the docks were closed and filled in. The ponds were used to float soft timber planks from Russia and Scandinavia to stop them drying out and splitting and warping. (Source: Southwark Council)
CUTTY SARK
Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark is an iconic 19th century tea clipper. It survived to devastating fires, in 2007 and 2012. For years, the ship was left on drydeck and conservators noticed that the structure was collapsing as she wasn't supported by water anymore. Around 2003, a £25 million restoration project was launched to encase the ship in a supportive structure.
At the end of the walk, there will be optional drinks at the Gate Clock pub next to Cutty Sark DLR station.
Comfortable walking shoes and bottled water are recommended. Weather Policy (https://www.meetup.com/London-Stress-Relief-and-Social/pages/20970392/Weather_Policy/)-Walking Policy (https://www.meetup.com/London-Stress-Relief-and-Social/pages/21683392/Walking_Policy/)
My number is Beatrice - 07581666250
Please update your RSVP if you cannot attend.
Meetup cost: £4 payable cash on the day.
This meetup is organised in conjunction with https://www.meetup.com/Walking-Victorian-London and https://www.meetup.com/London-Relaxing-Events
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River Walk/Hike, Docks, Nature and Cutty Sark: Surrey Quays to Greenwich- 7 mi