Sydenham Hill Wood This historic woodland area is fun to explore and full of interesting sights. It's managed by London Wildlife Trust.
Getting there
Entrance
Sydenham Hill and Crescent Wood Road SE26
Public transport
By bus - number 63 By train - Forest Hill and Sydenham Hill are the nearest stations.
Car/bike parks
There are no designated parking areas
Points of interest
Duck and wildlife ponds
There are a few small ponds dotted around the woods that are a haven for wildlife, attracting ducks, geese, frogs, toads and other wildlife.
Art in the Park and the old railway path
A footpath now winds through the wood following the track of the old railway line. A footbridge passes over the remains of the track, and it was from this bridge that the impressionist painter Camille Pissarro painted a view of Lordship Lane Station. Following the path in the opposite direction leads to an old railway tunnel, now closed up.
'Ancient' ruin
A ruined monastery lies in the midst of the woods surrounded by brambles and ivy, a folly that once graced someone's garden.
Art in the Park - wood sculptures
Look carefully between the tree trunks and the branches of the trees and you may see some naturalistic wood sculptures by local artists...
18th century path to the pub!
At the edge of the wood bordering the golf course, is a path called Cox's Walk that once led to the Green Man public house (now the Harvester). This path was apparently created by the publican of the Green Man in the early 18th Century when the golf course was farmland. Presumably the path was created to encourage locals to take an ale at the pub!
Park Rangers
The wood is visited monthly by the Mobile Park Rangers. The London Wildlife Trust is responsible for the upkeep of the wood. Click here to find out more about the London Wildlife Trust's involvement.
Friends Groups
Local residents take an active role in projects run by the London Wildlife Trust. Information is available on the notice boards at the site entrances.
Contact us
Tel: 020 7525 2000 environment@southwark.gov.uk
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