About

The Green Chain Walking Festival takes place from Sunday 1st to Sunday 15th September 2024. It includes around a dozen Ramblers’ free guided walks of varying lengths, taking in different aspects of the Green Chain Walk. The walks are all open to the public.

The 52-mile Green Chain Walk is a branching network of 15 existing sections (plus one proposed) offering many opportunities for circular and linear walks in the over 300 open spaces and woodlands of southeast London.

The festival aims to promote the Green Chain Walk and its many attractions to those living locally, and in London more generally, whether already walkers or not. The walks will vary in length and difficulty so there will definitely be something for everyone!  All walks will start and end at train or tube stations, and will go past other public transport stops, so anyone who doesn’t wish to walk the full distance can drop out part-way through a walk.

The Green Chain Walk includes a number of points of interest including: Lesnes Abbey Ruins and Woods, The Thames Barrier, the Art Deco glamour of Eltham Palace, the 18th century Gothic Folly of Severndroog Castle, the Horniman Museum and Gardens, the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park and the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

The routes takes in a variety of landscapes including ancient woodland and marshes, and offer great opportunities for birdwatching and enjoying nature. The terrain makes for generally easy walking, but some of the northerly sections include steep gradients which reward the walker with glorious views over central London and the Thames Estuary.  The Green Chain Walk is well-signed and also offers excellent opportunities for self-led walks. The Ramblers produces guidance and maps to aid navigation and highlighting attractions en route.

Walks available: 

Sunday 1st September     - Crystal Palace to the Thames Barrier

Monday 2nd September  - Nunhead to Crystal Palace

Tuesday 3rd September   - Crystal Palace to Beckenham Place Park

Thursday 5th September  - CANCELLED - Chislehurst to Dulwich

Friday 6th September       - a short walk near Lesnes Abbey

Saturday 7th September   - The Green Chain Walk - Eltham to Greenwich - the (missing) section 12

Sunday 8th September     - Mottingham to Greenwich via Kidbrooke and Blackheath

Tuesday 10th September  - Charlton to Falconwood - parks, woodlands and open spaces

Thursday 12th September - Woolwich to Plumstead via Severndroog Castle

Friday 13th September      - The missing Section 12 - Greenwich to Eltham

Sunday 15th September    - Abbey Wood to Erith

To find out more, click here.