Recreational Route: London/Southern England
Footscray to the North Downs near Berry's Green, various routes 177km/77 miles total
A network of waymarked circular walks and trails providing many walking opportunities in London's most rural borough, Bromley, linking riverside paths, ancient commons, woods and open downlands with suburbia, and providing various routes between the London LOOP/Thames Path and the North Downs Way. The longer routes usually have short cuts so you can vary the walk to suit your taste and ability.
The routes are as follows (all circular unless otherwise stated).
- Berrys Green via Aperfield, Cudham and the North Downs. Up to 12km/7.5 miles
- Biggin Hill via Biggin Hill and Tatsfield. Up to 11km/7 miles
- Bromley Common via Southborough and Hayes. 6.5km/4 miles
- Chelsfield via Chelsfield and Crockenhill. Up to 9km/5.5 miles
- Cray Riverway linear Footscray - Orpington. 5.5km/3.5 miles.
- Cudham via Cudham, Downe and High Elms. Up to 12km/7.5 miles
- Farnborough via Farnborough, Keston Common and High Elms. Up to 7km/4.5 miles
- Green Street Green via Green Street Green and Pratts Bottom. Up to 12km/7.5 miles
- Jubilee Park around the Country Park. 2km/1.5 miles
- Leaves Green via Leaves Green and Downe. Up to 10.5 miles/6.5km
- Nash via Nash and Keston. Up to 6.5km/4 miles
- Petts Wood via the National Trust Woodlands and Jubilee Park. 6.5km/4 miles
- St Mary Cray via St Mary Cray and Kevington. 3.5km/2 miles
- St Paul's Cray via St Pauls Cray and Pauls Hill Wood. Up to 8km/5 miles
- Three Commons via Keston, Hayes and West Wickham Commons. Up to 8km/5 miles
Also in Bromley, the council's Heritage and Urban Design team have a series Town Planning heritage walks leaflets covering the principle urban areas: see below.
Some easy access sections: see leaflet packs, or contact Bromley Countryside Rangers (see below)
Connects with
Highway Authorities
Parks and countryside
- South London Parks (High Elms Country Park, Jubilee Country Park, Petts Wood, Scadbury Park)
Tourist Information Centres
The nearest TIC in greater London is at Bexley (click here for details). Try also Clacket Lane Motorway Service Area 01959 565063
Public transport
The routes are generally well-served by various suburban rail stations connecting with central London, and frequent bus services, almost entirely within the London zonal fare and Travelcard system, though be aware that in the more rural parts of Bromley buses can be unexpected infrequent. Transport for London publish a useful bus guide covering Bromley. For more on transport in London, click here.
Maps
Local street atlases may be more useful along urban sections: see
Walking in London: Maps.
Publications
- Bromley Circular Walks & Trails Pack 1. Route cards with maps and descriptions for the southern, more rural trails: Berrys Green, Biggin Hill, Cudham, Farnborough, Green Street Green, Leaves Green and Nash. £3.25 including p&p from Bromley Countryside Rangers.
- Bromley Circular Walks & Trails Pack 2. Route cards with maps and descriptions for the northern, more suburban trails. Bromley Common, Chelsfield, Cray Riverway, Jubilee Park, Petts Wood, St Mary Cray, St Paul's Cray, Three Commons. £3 including p&p from Bromley Countryside Rangers.
- A Walk Around Beckenham, A Walk Around Bromley Town, A Walk Around Downe, A Walk Around Farnborough, A Walk Around Hayes, A Walk Around Orpington, A Walk Around Penge, A Walk Around St Mary Cray. Free leaflets from Bromley Heritage and Urban Design.
