A.
Bostall Woods 
Originally
known as ‘Old Park Wood’. Once densely planted with
Scots Pine by 1939 most had been ravaged by beetle and more recently
the ‘hurricane’ of 1987 has left its mark.
B.
Goldie Leigh Drive
The cottage
on the left on leaving the woods was formally a lodge leading
to Goldie Leigh Hospital. An avenue of trees along the old driveway
is still in evidence behind the cottage inside the woods.
C. Plumstead Cemetery
Built
on a hill side many of the people killed in explosions at the
Woolwich Arsenal are buried here.
D.
East Wickham Open Space
Locals
still refer to the area as ‘Fanny-on-the-Hill’, the
name of a pub at the top of the hill which was demolished in 1949.
Local legend maintains that this pub was used by the notorious
highwayman, Dick Turpin.
E.
Woodlands Farm 
This was
once the last working farm on the road to London. The farmhouse
dates from the 1890s and was run as a piggery and abattoir producing
pork and bacon for the Co-op. Now owned by the Woodlands Farm
Trust, many exciting community projects are planned including
its re-establishment as a working farm.
(For further information ring 020 8319 8900).
F.
Shooters Hill
The name
‘Shooters Hill’ is popularly accepted as a reference
to highway robbers and thieves who operated on the hill. It may
also be a reference to the archers who practised their shooting
here. To protect travellers from “violent practices”,
Henry IV ordered the clearing of the woods adjoining the road
at Shooters Hill. However, even in 1661 Samuel Pepys reported
riding under the “filthy remains” of a man hanging on
a gibbet, a grisly public display used as a warning to highway
robbers.
G.
Jackwood And Oxleas Wood
Designated
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve
it contains a variety of trees including oak, birch, hornbeam
and alder. In spring you can see bluebells in abundance with wood
anemone and wood sorrel. Along streams and ditches are sedges,
yellow pimpernel and a number of ferns. Breeding birds include
the tree creeper, nuthatch, woodpecker, chiffchaff and wood warbler.
Select
an area 1 - 10 for an overview of that section on the Green Chain
Walk.
