South East London Green Chain

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The South East London Green Chain is a linked system of open spaces between the River Thames and Crystal Palace Park in London, England. In 1977 four London Boroughs and the Greater London Council created this Green Chain of 300 open spaces to protect them from building activity. The four London boroughs are Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich.

The system begins at three places on the River Thames: Thames Barrier, Thamesmead, and the riverside at Erith. There are various circular walks along the route, and there is an offshoot from the main route to Chislehurst; and the final section reaches Crystal Palace via Bromley.

The major open spaces in the Chain are:

Lesnes Abbey
Bostall Heath and Woods
Parks in Charlton including Maryon Wilson Park
Woolwich Common
Plumstead Common
Shooters Hill area, including Oxleas Wood and several other woods and open spaces
Eltham Park and Common
Eltham Palace
Avery Hill Park
Parks around Beckenham, including Beckenham Place Park
Parks around Bromley including Elmstead Woods, Sundridge Park and Chislehurst Common
Crystal Palace Park

The complete list and the routes are to be found on the external link below. The Green Chain has been criticised for linking parks to parks, instead of origins to destinations.