Lesnes Abbey Wood is a park and woodland set in a sea of housing estates in Abbey Wood in the London Borough of Bexley, south east London. This is somewhere I had never previously visited.

 
Its attractions boast the following:
Historic abbey ruins and monks gardens.
A viewpoint of the City from South-east London.
Woodlands with wild flowers (and lots of bluebells yesterday).
Fossil hunting opportunities.
An arboretum.
A kiosk that sells hot drinks and hot and cold sandwiches if you do not want to bring a packed lunch.
Toilets!

After lunch and during the afternoon there will be a pleasant walk from Lesnes Abbey to Woolwich (under 2 hours) along the Green Chain Walk across:
Bostall Heath
Bostall Woods
Great Bartlett’s Woods
Winn Common
Plumstead Common (where there is a cafe and pub),
then into central Woolwich for a cafe and/or a pub before returning home.

Those who would prefer not to join this walk can return via Abbey Wood rail station to London Bridge or take the Elizabeth line to Farringdon station, and rail to East Croydon.

The going is generally flat and along good paths through woodland but there are a couple of short steep hills along the route from Lesnes Park to Woolwich which will require care, and a couple of busy local roads to cross.

Footwear: If its dry then good walking shoes are fine. If its wet I suggest boots.

Where to meet
We meet at East Croydon at 9.35 am to catch the 9.51(pl 2) train to London Bridge and from there the 10.18 train to Abbey Wood station that arrives at 10.47.
Lesnes Abbey is a 10 minute walk from Abbey Wood station.

Trains come back from Woolwich Arsenal rail station to London Bridge and then to East Croydon, or you can catch the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon from Woolwich station and then rail to East Croydon.

The current weather forecast is sunny with a slight (less than 30%) chance of rain.

I look forward to seeing you!
Andy
07751182930