Just saw this article, which includes a visit to The Horniman Gardens, and it made me wonder if you have other suggestions to add to these, especially if they’re local
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/26036620.five-best-south-east-london-places-spring-walks/
A really nice local walk is the Waterlink Way, which runs (mostly) along the Pool and Ravensbourne rivers from Lower Sydenham to the Thames at Deptford Creek. It’s 8 miles, and I usually walk to meet it at either Bell Green or Ladywell Fields. Some decent pubs at the other end too 
Here’s a pdf – the route is well marked along the way:
Another place, just a little further out, is High Elms Country Park. A lovely wooded park to ramble around. High Elms Country Park Local Nature Reserve
good point. I only really use this between Bell Green and Catford, but I should explore the longer route.
that sounds really interesting. I’ve not heard of this before, but it seems only about 30 minutes away (by car) - and the very excellent Coolings Garden Centre is around the corner from there too (I miss having the Shannon’s Garden Centre here in Forest Hill)
I do quite a few ‘station to station’ walks in Surrey and Kent. Yesterday I did this lovely 4-hr walk from Caterham station to Woldingham station via the North Downs Way (both stations less than 50 mins from Forest Hill by train and nearly all inside the 60+ Oyster card zone too). You can shorten it to 2 1/4 hrs by taking the green dotted path up past Woldingham school. Lovely views and loads of wild garlic at this time of year.
For local(ish) woods we’re big fans of Oxleas Wood, Petts Wood and Keston Common, all about 30 mins in the car.
Enysford (30 mins on the train from Catford) is great too, quick to get into the countryside and you can stop at Lullingstone Roman Villa and have a paddle in the ford. Reccomend the Malt Shovel for a pint of Harveys Best.
This is a nice route
Eynsford and Lullingstone circular - Eynsford and Lullingstone circular – Google My Maps
The Diamond Geezer blog updates London Borough walks every few years, most recently 2025.
Believe it or not Lewisham is a 4 star borough for walks. He doesn’t mention the Brockley 3 Peaks challenge for some reason though he is aware of it.
I used to do the 7 Hills of Brockley which took in all the high points included in the 3 peaks plus the missing ones. I also prefer walking around Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery as it quieter than Nunhead and in my opinion is a bit wilder. I finished a 2 year botanical survey recently and identified over 270 species of plant with I am certain a lot more that I missed.
I quite like popping into the Crofton Park bookshop, then pootling around the cemetery and finally having a drink in the Lawrence Arms.
The Treetalk website allows you to create your own custom local walk where though generally quite urban helps you identify street trees.
It’s also worth getting off at Surrey Quays, and doing a circular walk through Southwark Park, King’s Stairs Gardens, along the Thames, through Stave’s Hill Ecology park, Surrey Docks farm, then Greenland Dock and into the Spoons for a drink. I then shout at the Millwall supporters as I like to finish a walk with a quick run to get the blood pumping.
A friend of mine and myself used to do a pretty green route from Brockley to Crystal Palace Parade taking in both Camberwell Cemeteries, Dawson’s Hill (a sadly overlooked park with great views), Cox’s Walk and Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods before stopping at the Fish and Chip shop on the Parade.
I don’t drive so all of my walks use public transport if they are not local.
There are loads of walks in Bromley and Croydon that require public transport but are easy to get to.
You will see from the Diamond Geezer link that there are loads of really well described walks in Bromley and as mentioned it is easy to get there by train from Catford.
From Bromley South station there is also the 246 that takes you out to Westerham and in the summer months Chartwell.
It’s also a bloody good pub crawl, taking pubs in from Westerham, Leaves Green and Keston as you drink your way back to Bromley.
As mentioned in a previous post you can catch trains to Eynsford from Catford, but there is also Shoreham and Otford that have a few walks worth trying out. Hayes is also easy to get to with Keston and the other Bromley Commons outlined in the Bromley leaflets.
It’s a pity that Southern stopped direct trains to East Croydon but there are loads of walks in the borough. Unfortunately the council don’t supply any guides that I’m aware of, though there are heritage walk guides for Old Addington and South Norwood you can download.
South Norwood country park is also worth an amble and is a short bus ride from Anerley.
Further out, Farthing Down, is one of the best walks in London and very easy to get to as Coulsdon is in the Oyster Zone. It’s also on the London Loop if you are feeling more adventurous. If you head out late May/Early June it is also peak orchid season.
If you fancy a bit more botany and rare chalkland plants, Hutchinson’s Bank is easy to get to by tram from West Croydon to New Addington. There is also a London bus, the 405 that leaves from near East Croydon station and goes all the way to Redhill on an Oyster fare which takes you into the North Downs for a single bus fare.
There is a Croydon group of Ramblers that are pretty active and you can join one or two walks without being a member. I’ve found them to be really friendly.
I am sure I have forgotten a few and with the Draw and Lizzy lines and the London Bridge to Victoria line, you can reach the Thames at Richmond and Epping Forest within the hour.
Sydenham Hill to Dulwich Village through the woods is always very nice.
