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Hillingdon Group

We are the Hillingdon Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Overview

Abbey Wood is so easy to reach now on the Elizabeth Line. We head via Lesnes Abbey towards Crossness with extensive views of the Thames Estuary. We pass Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s magnificent sewerage pumping station - now a visitor attraction. Our route takes us along the Thames towards Erith. From there we head inland again and have our lunch stop at Lesnes Abbey with time to explore this amazing 12th Century site - a real find if you have not been there before. After our picnic lunch we head into a chain of wooded areas including ancient oak woodland and the haunts of Dick Turpin. Hopefully the woods will be ablaze with Autumn colours. We finish at Welling Station where we catch Network Rail trains into London or back to Abbey Wood for the Elizabeth line back into London.

Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Start time:
10:45 am
Estimated finish time:
4:30 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
17.7km / 11.0mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
linear

Meet in the spacious hall at the entrance to Abbey Wood Station. Toilets and coffee available. Toilets and snacks available at Lesnes Abbey where we have our picnic lunch. There is shelter if it is wet. The paths are varied but good walking boots are recommended since we may encounter mud especially after lunch. Anyone wishing to walk just half a day could drop out at Lesnes Abbey, which is a 10 minute walk from Abbey Wood station. There is a relatively small amount of street walking to link the green areas together. For those with a Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster card, the journey to and from Abbey Wood is free. The trip back from Welling is also within the TfL area so is also free.

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Toilets available
  • Accessible by public transport
  • Dog friendly
  • No car needed

Starting point

Grid reference:
TQ 47368 79042
Nearest postcode:
SE2 9PY
what3words:
precautions.rarely.field
Start time:
10:45 am

Meet in the station entrance hall at Abbey Wood

Finishing point

Grid reference:
TQ 46093 76065
Nearest postcode:
DA16 3DN
what3words:
rounds.dates.value
Estimated finish time:
4:30 pm

The walk ends at Welling mainline railway station

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking