Dulwich woods (the best way to get into them?)

[Fi85]

Hi,

Apologies if this been answered before - I have done a search and it came up with about a million responses but I couldn't find what I was looking for....

What is the best way to get into Dulwich woods for a walk? Is there anywhere I can find a nice walk mapped out that I can take my parents on this weekend?

Thanks!

[ontheedge]

If you look on either sydenham or forest hill forum there is a really nice walk planned for Sunday. Through Nuhead Cemetary over Oe Tree Hill, Horniman Gardens, Coxes Walk and I think on to Crystal Palace you could join part of it or do the whole thing. Nunhead Cemetary is nice for a walk stop somewhere for lunch Costa Smeralda Nunhead Lane or Rye Hotel with a stroll through Pekham Rye park go into the actual Park the gated bit if you've not been really nice wins out over Dulwich Park imho for character

[TE44]

http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/wkdulwichlroute.htm

This may help

[xone262]

i always just drive up to the golf club and walk in from there

[Burbage]

There's an official route round Sydenham Woods, with maps on sticks and marker posts, which overlaps Dulwich Woods at points.

I can't remember if it starts at the top of Sydenham Hill or the gate on the Sydenham side of the footbridge, but it's round, so it doesn't matter much - just follow the yellow arrows on the white-topped posts. Takes about a half-hour at a briskish waddle, depending on how good or fond you are of following arrows.

It's not the biggest of woods, so you won't get lost for long. The dogs, kids, flight paths and South Circular provide a navigational hullabaloo. And, given it's January, you should still be able to hear the rasping wheeze of a jogger every ten minutes or so.

[Sue]

If you go in at the gate on the corner of the South Circular, where it meets Lordship Lane, just before the Church and opposite the Harvester, and walk up the path (Cox's Walk), you can get into the woods that way.

There are then two directions you can go in, straight ahead, or turn left and go over a bridge over the old railway track.

As others have said, I think there are maps at the entrances to the woods.

If - whichever of the two paths you take - you then aim vaguely straight ahead, you will eventually come to an incline which leads up over a rather spooky boarded up entrance to an old railway tunnel. Go up the path up the incline, and at the top is another gate. If you go out of here and turn right (I THINK! CHECK!) you will come to Dulwich Wood House (pub) on the left, which is quite handy.

Wear wellies if it's been raining, the paths in the woods can get quite muddy.

Have a good time, I love those woods!

Edited to say: It's spooky because it's always exceptionally cold in the valley bit where the tunnel entrance is, even though it's boarded up. OOERR!!

[Fi85]

Great, thank you everyone! Looks like Sunday will be a nice day for a walk as well if the forecast doesn't change...

[tomchance]

This might help - a web map that shows all the footpaths etc. in the area: http://osm.org/go/euuuH2nM

[Sue]

Useful map, thanks, and I'm relieved to see that my directions were OK!