Grove Park to Crystal Palace: 7.7 miles (12.4 km)
The route, still following the Green Chain Walk now proceeds along Marvels Lane and after crossing the A2212, connects with the charming footpath and cycleway known as the Railway Children’s Walk named after the famed book by author E. Nesbit. Reaching the lovely Grove Park Nature Reserve but not passing through, the path now crosses the main railway line from London to the Kent Coast via an extraordinary, fabricated steel footbridge. Keeping the great Hither Green Cemetry to the right, crossing Northover and another view of Central London on the horizon, a pleasant urban section leads onto a very tidy tarmac path known as the Downham Woodland Walk, part of Lewisham‘s Literary Heritage Trail. This very pretty strip of narrow woodland runs for a mile or so following the Greenwich Meridian Line (encountered earlier in my case on section 14) and is a remnant of the Great North Wood. Eventually turning into Old Bromley Road and then Cross Brangbourne Road, the entrance to Beckenham Place Park appears on the right. A large park and nature reserve and home to Beckenham Place, takes this section on a twisted path through very attractive ancient woodland. Passing the boating lake and taking the steps up to the Grade II listed Mansion, the Homestead Cafe provides a welcome respite before setting off onto the remaining half of this section to Crystal Palace.
Joining the Southend Road and traversing on from this point through an interweaving trail of road junctions and roadside pavements, the route passes the training ground of Crystal Palace Football Club, St Paul’s Church, on under New Beckenham Station subway and into Cator Park. Formerly the Kent House pleasure Gardens, the track is now shared with cyclists as part of the Waterlink Way. Finally leaving Lennard Road and crossing the railway line at Penge East Station, turning onto Penge Hill brings the great Crystal Palace Transmitter (219m) into full view. Passing underneath two railway bridges, the first one carrying one of the earliest railways lines in London, the Penge entrance ahead provides access into Crystal Palace Park. Taking the path to visit the Dinosaur enclave created by the sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse-Hawkins in 1852 and on past the Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium, brings this section to a close upon reaching Crystal Palace Station.
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