From Prehistoric Sharks Teeth to a Clockwork Orange

Lesnes Abbey and Southmere Lake
(section 1 of Green Chain Route Pack route pack-see details below)

Nearest Rail Station (arrival and departure): Abbey Wood

Abbey Wood station is approx. 30 minutes from central London (London Bridge Station) and 10 minutes from Kent (Dartford Station) on London and South Eastern Railways.

Alighting at Abbey Wood Station, follow the Green Chain Walk “link” signs outside station towards Lesnes Abbey.

Built in 1177 by Sir Richard de Lucy, the foundations and some ruined sections of wall still survive today and show clearly the layout of an Augustinian monastery. Visit adjacent visitor centre for further historical details.

After exploring the abbey ruins and formal gardens (perfect for a picnic lunch), head for nearby Lesnes Abbey Woods. Whatever the season, enjoy the nature trails through the woods (maps available from the Visitor Centre). The fossilized sharks teeth discovered here (they no longer bite) featured in a recent BBC wildlife documentary with Bill Oddie, and in the spring there is a lovely display of wild daffodils and bluebells.

After exploring ancient monasteries and prehistoric fossils, head south for something a bit more modern following Green Chain Walk signs towards Southmere Park and Thamesmead Riverside.

Thamesmead Town was designed in the 1960’s as a self contained community with the admirable aim of the town-planners to integrate the new housing with a network of canals and green spaces. Many locals say Thamesmead is a concrete monstrosity and should be pulled down. What’s that they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions…..?

Perhaps appropriately, Thamesmead provided one of the locations for Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing cinematic masterpiece about urban alienation “Clockwork Orange”

There are opportunities at Southmere Lake to observe sailing, canoeing and sailboarding activities, while budding birdwatchers may spot a variety of wildfowl. Refreshments are available from the adjoining Lakeside Complex, where the rather surreal surroundings allow you to imagine you are back in Kubrick’s film set with Alex and his droogs…….

To return, retrace your steps back towards Lesnes Abbey via the Green Chain Walk, and from the footbridge follow the GCW rail “link” signs back to Abbey Wood station for your carriage home.

Further details on the Green Chain Walk are provided in the official Green Chain Route Guide, which contains detailed colour maps of the network of footpaths and places of interest along the walk.

Further details on the Green Chain Walk are provided in the official Green Chain Route Guide, which contains detailed colour maps of the network of footpaths and places of interest along the walk.

(Click here for details on how to purchase the Green Chain Route Guide)