Dulwich & Sydenham Woods

[SeanMacGabhann]

After Siduhe's comments on a property-related thread about the woods I thought I'd start a thread specifically about them

(To answer Siduhe's original question, depending which path you take you can come across an old railway tunnel - very spooky)

One of my favourite spots in the area for a bit of r'n'r - The view from the top of the woods across to North London is very fine indeed - you can see Wembley

On another D&S woods related story - with apologies if I've told it before:

The most scared I have ever been was on a weekday - I was off from work and decided to have a ramble in the woods. As I was heading up the path away from the grove/Harvester I started to near the junction of the little bridge abd gate, and could see a tall figure standing very still by the corner

As I got closer it appear to look like, well, like a ninja. A bit odd

As I got closer still I could see it was a ninja, and was facing straight ahead.Being on my own I couldn't figure out why a ninja would be stood on it's own in the middle of the woods. With a huge big f-off sword at that. And if I was attacked who would be aby the wiser. i definitely considered bottling it and turning around but pressed on.

Closer still. I could see the whites of his eyes and became genuinely scared but momentum had the better of me - and just as I passed he went "aw-roi?"

That took be my surprise and then as I reached the corner I could see a film crew dressing a scene - which explained everything. But man was I scared..

[Gerrard]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I heard that there is a train stuck in the tunnel.. Apparently, a local man invented a tube train powered by some sort of vacuum. The train was tested under the wood and got stuck...

[georgia]

Seeing ninjas in the woods...how many had you had ;-)

[SeanMacGabhann]

Absolutely clean and sober G ;-)

[Jah Lush]

When I was a kid we'd often walk through the tunnel, bit scary but definitely not a tube train in site. It's been bordered up for years now and is infested with rats and bats.

[Gerrard]

Thanks Jah, another urban myth put to rest, cheers!

[macroban]

> I heard that there is a train stuck in the tunnel..

Nice conflation. It goes well with the rats and grease story. But you've got the wrong line.

In the 1950s (after the trains stopped running) walking the railway line was a pleasant short cut to Crystal Palace just like Jah Lush wrote. After the tracks were lifted you had to watch out for the deep drainage shafts in the tunnel.

I don't think my ankles could take walking any distance on ballast these days.

[Keef]

There used to be loads of urban legends about the tunnel, like a train full of gold and dead bodies in there, but al bo!!ocks...

I love those woods, and spent much of my childhood having adventures in there! I think to this day the tunnel is one of the spookiest settings around, and if anything the huge metal doors blocking it just add to the atmosphere!

So much interesting stuff in those woods though, like the little ruined chapel.

Must take the camera up there for a walk soon!!!!

[Ladygooner]

I would love to explore these woods. How about an EDF outing one weekend............as long as we finish up at a pub!

[Jah Lush]

Yes, the woods are indeed beautiful and it seems hard to believe that you are in the middle of London as you make your way through them. It's a very pleasant walk up to the Woodhouse for a few pints of Special. I know them so well that I've even walked back through them on many occasions in the pitch dark on the way back again.

[Keef]

I'm liking the idea of a walk in the woods followed by pints, followed by holding on to Jah's jumper sleeve and hoping he didn't have that one tooo many :)-D

I remember going up there at night a couple of times, but didn't venture too far in, it really is pitch black!

[SeanMacGabhann]

number of posts before people suggested getting together and including a visit to a pub = less than I thought

;-)

Good idea though - it must be pretty mucky up there at the moment mind

[Jah Lush]

I'm liking the idea of a walk and drinkypoo too. Maybe we could all dress up as Ninjas.

[Keef]

Plan!

[ratty]

Where is it - someone google map it for me or something please!

[Jah Lush]

Opposite the Harvester/Grove Tavern by the traffic lights at the beginning of Dulwich Common.

[SeanMacGabhann]

ratty - big green bit

Dwulich Woods

[mockney piers]

I love the woods, well up for dressing as ninjas. We'll look a very odd bunch in the Harvester garden afterwards :D

 

[Louisa]

The paranormal group I attend have do a few investigations at the Dulwich and Sydenham Woods, and we came back with all sorts of pictures including orbs and mists. Very eerie place after dark, and the medium managed to pick up a couple of local people, one of whom was supposedly a priest from the 14th century. Very Bizarre.

[Ant]

I'm definitely up for a trip there. Only managed to go there once up to now (Must Do Better).

[jim_the_chin]

I've had a similar experience to you sean.

I went up there with my boy last year, he with helmet and sword, going hunting dragons. as we walked up cox's walk, down came a princess, flowing white robes, pointy hat and veil and all. 'look' i said 'there's a princess' - 'oh yeah' he said, and we carried on walking.

not sure if she was the woman in white who has been discussed on the board.

no dragons though, although the bog monster lives in yonder swamp up there.

[citizenED]

Sean, if seeing the ninja was your scariest ever moment, you obviously haven't been watching Dr. Who...

Like the idea of the planned walk to the Dulwich Woodhouse. I'll get my wellie boots.

citizen

[Bleep]

My brother was warden of Sydenham Hill Woods from 1991 to 1995. I used to help out with coppicing and general forestry matters on Sundays from time to time. It is a lovely bit of woodland, a part of the old Great North Wood.

[Jeremy]

Definitely up for the walk in the woods followed by beer...

[flong]

One for art buffs: follow the railway track a few hundred yards from Dulwich Common junction, and you can stand on the bridge from which Camille Pissaro painted Lordship Lane Station.