OUTDOORS PLACES TO EXPLORE IN AND AROUND EAST LONDON (and SE and NE London)
As of today, Wed 13th May, 2020, the government has announced that we can travel a little further afield and spend longer outdoors, with our own household.
I know our family is dying to get out a bit more and we’re looking forwards to exploring somewhere new with our new found freedom. Here’s a few suggestions of places in and around East London, North East London and South East London which you may wish to visit with your household. Socially distanced, and following the guidelines, of course!
Please check all locations are open since relaxation of the Coronavirus Guidelines from 13th May 2020 (to my knowledge the listed places will be, but please check the nuances and for changes / updates before travelling).
Remember to consider how you will travel (socially distanced) and parking options.
Be sure that you are comfortable with the level of social distancing possible at these locations. Where I have specific first hand experience, I have commented on the width of footpaths and space.
Please do let me know once you’ve been, add comments with your thoughts and please do share your photos! And as ever, please share your ideas too!
And finally, if you want some tips on how to capture great family photos whilst you’re out, check out my easy to follow blog on on capturing better photos, particularly in the sunshine.
Sara x
Oxlea Woods, Shooters Hill
Explore the woods and their lovely little trails amongst the trees. Whilst there, when it is open, visit Severndroog Castle - great views from the roof top and a lovely little cafe.
Minnis Bay, Kent
Explore the flat, 12 km round trip coastline walk from Mimmis Bay to Reculver Castle and back again.
Greenwich Park
With 183 acres of land, there’s plenty of space to spread out in and explore, and stunning views of London from the top. Please note, parking can be tricky.
Thames Chase, UpminsterFormerly Broadfields Farm, Thames Chase has variety of surfaced trails, ponds, meadows and even an orchard for you to explore on foot or by bike.
Amwell Nature Reserve, Herts
A brilliant place to view the natural wildlife, stroll past lakes and ponds, and walk through open grasslands and leafy woods.
Cobham Woods, North Downs
Explore 60 hectares of ancient wood pastures and grazed parklands.
Petts Wood & Hawkwood, Chislehurst
Saved from the developers, 338 hectares of woods, a haven for all kinds of bird, butterfly, amphibian and plant life.
Tylers Wood, Upminster
Explore Tylers Wood, where from the hill top you can see spectacular views of the city of London and Canary Wharf.
The Greenway, Newham
Cycle the Greenway’s 6.8km path from Stratford to Beckton, and then back again. The path is about 3-4 meters wide, but with wider grassy verges at the side, for most of it and offers some fantastic views of Canary Wharf and East London.
Walk the City of London, East & Central London
Starting at Tower Bridge, take this 13.5km round trip into the city and back.
Walk Tower Hamlets, London
This 6.5 mile loop walk takes you from Limehouse Basin up to Victoria Park and back again. Please note that the canal footpaths can be narrow in places and may not be suitable on busy days. I have personally done much of this route during the lockdown as part of our daily bike rides, and have found it parts of it quite narrow for maintaining social distancing, but generally OK.
Botany Bay Beach, nr Broadstairs
Check out the beach and its beautiful chalk stacks and views of white cliffs for a different beach experience to the norm.
Thames Barrier Park, Newham
Explore 7 hectares of parkland and it’s beautiful views at the side of the Thames.
Lee Valley, Essex
Explore the multitude of trails and open spaces the Lee Valley has to offer. Their website offers the latest information on what is currently open. As guidelines relax, boat and cycle hire facilities will likely be available again soon too, as well as their fab canteen at the White Water Rafting Centre.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park , Stratford
With a multitude of wide footpaths the park is open for exploring. We have easily been socially distancing whilst visiting on bike rides during the lockdown. You can walk right around the perimeter of the stadium, as it is not currently blocked off, near the velodrome there’s an excellent bike trail for “off-roading” and you can explore a little further by easily venturing into Hackney Marhses and walking the river and canal paths from there.
Weald Country Park and the Stick Man Trail, Essex
Take the book and go on an explore with your little one around the 2km Stick Man trail. Please check with the park before going about whether the climbing frames and apparatus are blocked off or not.
Mudchute Farm, Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
This is one of our all time favourite city farms and we do a visit most weekends. (When the cafe reopens I can highly recommend the food). The footpaths can be narrow in places but there are plenty of more open spaces to explore including fields and paddocks off the perimeter footpaths. There’s street parking (free on Sundays) on local adjoining streets and you can also use ASDA’s carpark and cut through the footpath at the back.
Dulwich Park, Southwark
With loads of nature to spot and paths to explore, and even a fun trail to follow with the little ones, definitely worth an explore if you’ve not been.
Crystal Palace Park, South East London
There’s so much to explore here with the kids and so many facilities (not all currently open). Visit the dinosaur sculptures with the little ones for a fun day out. You can access an audio guide and trail map here.
Hall Place & Gardens, Bexley
Although the historic house, bid hide, glasshouse, butterfly jungle and some other features are currently closed, the gardens around the historic house and over the river, still remain open for visits.
Foots Cray Meadows, Bexley
Suggested by Mikala on Facebook, because of the beautiful river and scenic little waterfall. The Meadows have a variety of natural habitats including a number of linked ponds which are inhabited by frogs which the kids might like to look out for.
Peckham Rye Park, East Dulwich
113 acres of grassland, a lake, woodlands and ornamental & water gardens plus two recently renovated play areas for different aged children (not currently open). Alice commented on Facebook that this has been their lockdown park of choice during the last few weeks, with “nice wide paths for the most part, a pond with ducks and then some more formal garden bits too. It also had a no dogs allowed section with picnic benches.” Sounds lovely to me!
Burgess Park, nr Bermondsey
At 56 hectares this is Southwark’s largest park, and has tonnes of facilities including a state-of-the-art play areas and BMX track (not currently open), a lake, the renowned gardens Chumleigh Gardens, an area for fishing, and a 5km running route amongst other facilities.
The Line, from Stratford to the O2
An outdoors art walk and exhibition following the waterways of East London and the Greenwich Meridian line, from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the O2. I have personally cycled and/or run the route from Star Lane DLR (right next door to my photography studio :-)) through to Stratford and although in a few places the route gets narrow on the canal side, it also has many wider pathways and it is possible to maintain social distancing for the majority of the route bar a few places where it might be congested passing a narrower part of the canal path if there are many people out. There’s a couple of very short sections (20ms max) where you need to walk if you’re with a bike (too steep to ride or too cobbled), but don’t let that put you off, it is a really lovely route.
Fairlop Waters Country Park, Redbridge
The largest country park and leisure facility in Redbridge, this place comes highly recommended by Nadine, a local E3 mum. It has a boulder park for climbing, boating, orienteering, high ropes, cycle paths & bike hire… just check the website before you go to see which facilities are currently open.
Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill
Although the museum is currently closed, the 16.5 acres of gardens remain (check website for latest opening hours). Depending on staff rotes and the weather, their nature trail may also be open. Ring ahead to check.
Our 16.5 acres of beautiful Gardens remain open. From Monday 30 March our Gardens will be open from 8am – 4.30pm.
Brockwell Park, nr Tulse Hill
Brockwell Park made of sprawling fields and foothpaths but also featuring ornamental ponds, formal flower beds, a walled 'Old English' herbaceous flower garden and a charming 19th century clock tower, as well as historic buildings, including Brockwell Hall and the Brockwell Lido.
Eynsford River & Village, Kent Downs
A picturesque village with great walking and orienteering routes as well as good variety of local attractions including gardens, a castle and a roman villa. Check the link for details of each and opening details.
One Tree Hill, Kent Downs
With panoramic views from the hill top, and a network of woodland footpaths, One Tree Hill is home to rare wildlife too. Suitable for older children who don’t need a buggy / scooter / bike as the paths are uneven.
More Useful Resources:
Explore Kent with the Kent Connected App.
Find all kinds of trails and walks on the aptly named All Trails website, including many more easily accessible central London and local East London destinations.
Explore more National Trust locations in London and the South East here.
Discover more woods with Forestry England.
Whilst you can’t do everything on this list (by Visit London) during the lockdown, you can do some of these outdoors ideas for central London days out.
Currently closed but keep an eye on:
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest for it’s stunning walking and cycling trails as well as other activities and facilities like Go Ape, Horse Riding, Bike Hire and Play Areas which may open in due course.
Gruffalo Spotters Trails nationwide, which were due to open soon - sign up for the latest info from Forestry England.
Thornton Country Park and the Gruffalo Trail where you can take your little mice for a stroll in the deep dark woods and see what sculptures they can discover. Please check to find out when the trail opens.
Nunhead Cemetery, great for walks around, but check the latest guidance on entering the wooded areas, as currently this is a no-no.