Capital Ring section 2 page 1

CAPITAL RING
Section 2 of 15
Falconwood to Grove Park
Section start: Falconwood

Nearest station to start: Falconwood (Rail)

Section finish: Grove Park, Marvels Lane

Nearest station to finish: Grove Park (Rail)

Section distance 3.5 miles plus 0.9 miles of station links

Total = 4.4 miles (7.1 km)

Introduction
The whole of this section is shared with parts of the Green Chain Walk,
although it is also waymarked with distinctive Big Ben Capital Ring signs.

The route passes Eltham Park South and Eltham Palace (the highlight of
this walk). Other interesting locations include a remarkable yet little-known
view of London, the house where the celebrated cricketer W G Grace
lived, and Eltham College.

The terrain is generally flat with some short gentle climbs, surfaces are
generally firm. Note that there is a stepped footbridge that can only be
avoided by a lengthy detour. There are pubs at Falconwood and cafés and
public conveniences at Falconwood station, in Eltham Park South, and at
Eltham Palace. Further pubs and cafés are close to the route at Eltham
and Grove Park. Public toilets are also available at Grove Park (Tesco)
and at Grove Park railway station.

In contrast to the woodland routes on other sections, Section 2 of the

Capital Ring passes through open areas with parks and playing fields
linked by pleasant residential areas.

There are railway stations and bus stops along the way.

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Walking directions
If continuing from Section 1,
cross the bridge over the
Rochester Way relief road into
Eltham Park South.

Starting from Falconwood station,

turn right from the exit and cross
Rochester Way. No pedestrian
crossing is provided and great
care should be exercised whilst
crossing this busy road. Turn
right over the railway line and
almost immediately left into
Shepherdleas Wood. There is a
large footpath sign to direct you.

Follow the path alongside the

railway line. Section 2 starts at
the concrete footbridge over the
railway and the very busy A2
Rochester Way Relief Road.
Cross over the bridge to enter
Eltham Park South. There are
signposts on either side of the
bridge to direct you.

Continue straight-ahead from the

bridge to take the tarmac path
leading along an avenue of horse
chestnut trees, and skirting the eastern and southern boundaries of the Did you know?
park. On the south side of the park you come to a large, fenced, games- The red brick vaulted
structure to your right in
court. Divert to the right here to find a café and public conveniences. At the
Conduit Meadow is
end of the park, cross the road (Glenesk Road) and turn left. At the end known as Conduit
cross over Bexley Road and then go straight ahead along Butterfly Lane. Head, built in the 16th
At a hollow oak tree just before an abandoned sports club, bear right along century to provide water
for Eltham Palace.
an earth path to a grassed triangle where you find a major signpost. Turn
right again, up a slope, into Conduit Meadow.

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Continue on the path between two fences to pass Holy Trinity Church on Did you know?
Eltham was the
your left.
birthplace of the great
comedian Bob Hope,
Turn left into Southend Crescent, go past the church and the mini who died in 2003 just
roundabout and continue on a little way to cross the road at the traffic after celebrating his
lights. Turn right and walk up Footscray Road past St. Thomas More 100th birthday.

Catholic School. After 200 yards turn left into North Park.
Did you know?
At the end of North Park, carefully cross over Court Road at the mini Built in the 14th century
Eltham Palace was a
roundabout and keep ahead into Tilt Yard Approach. Note, there are no
favourite country
pedestrian crossing facilities here. Continue along Tilt Yard Approach and residence of the Kings
turn left at the end into Court Yard, which leads to Eltham Palace. There is and Queens of
a café and WCs here. England, who used it for
250 years. It later fell
out of favour and was
Outside the palace is a large signpost and a footpath information panel.
ransacked by
Now turn right down the steep King John's Walk with Eltham Palace's moat Cromwell's forces
to your left. At the bottom of the slope follow King John's Walk to the left during the 17th century
and continue-along with stables to your left and grazing land to your right. Civil War. In the 1930s
the textile magnates,
At the end of the horse pastures there is a small, easily-missed, gate to
the Courtauld family,
your right, through it lie King John's Fields, and a spectacular vista of leased the estate and
London. If remaining on King John's Walk, continue down the hill to reach built a new Art Deco
mansion. During and
Middle Park Avenue. If you have admired the view you can return to the
after the Second World
hedgerow besides King John's Walk and follow it downhill on the grass to a War the estate was
small brick building where there's a gate back into the lane (see map). used as a military
college and in 1995 was
Break point opened to visitors by
There is a link to Mottingham railway station along Middle Park Avenue if English Heritage. There
is an admission fee.
you turn left when reaching that road.

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To carry-on, cross over the road and then the railway line by the footbridge.
Did you know?
Now cross over the dual carriageway of Sidcup Road. Keep ahead, still on
Eltham College was
the now much narrower King John's Walk, to Mottingham Lane. Cross over founded in
to the large footpath sign and turn right to pass Mottingham Farm Riding Walthamstow in 1842
as the School for Sons
Centre on the right and Eltham College Junior School on the left.
of Missionaries and
moved to its present
Just past the junior school, at a large Green Chain sign-post that can be site in 1912. Former
obscured by foliage, the route takes a sharp left along a narrow footpath pupils include Eric
lined by metal pallisade fencing. (Straight ahead is Fairmount, the home for Liddell, athlete and
missionary of Chariots
about 30 years of one of England's most celebrated cricketers, William
of Fire fame, Mervyn
Gilbert Grace, who died in 1915). On the left of the path are the playing Peake, author of the
fields of Eltham College. Gormanghast Trilogy
and Fenner Brockway,
Eventually the path reaches the Quaggy River in a concrete channel politician and
campaigner.
below. Continue besides the river to Marvels Lane where Section 2 ends at
a very large footpath signpost.

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Next steps
To continue on to Section 3, turn right along Marvels Lane.

To reach Grove Park station, cross Marvels Lane and go straight ahead
following the Capital Ring link on a footpath beside the Quaggy River. Turn
right onto Chinbrook Road and at the end of the road cross over and turn
left for the station.

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