Wednesday Walks in Forest Hill

By Sandy Pepperell

In March 2013 a post on the SE23.com community forum led to the formation of a walking group in Forest Hill. The aim was to get some exercise on our local hills and a group met in Canvas and Cream’s restaurant to plan how to organise it. People agreed that there should be a weekly walk of about an hour on Wednesday evenings, starting at 7pm (and ending at about 8pm). The walk would cover about 3 miles in this time period. The plan was to alternate starting points between Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park stations.

Two years later the walks continue (mostly) come rain, come shine and in winter and summer alike. In the ‘lighter’ months there are lovely green spaces all around us that we walk through (including in SE26 and the Southwark Woods), and in winter there are many interesting and historic buildings in the area to look at. Of course, the views from our hills are stunning all year round and one of the delights has been to see the effect of changing light and weather as we look north and south of our ‘ridge’.

So far, we have created over 30 routes and have found out some surprising details about the area from seeing it up close and from conversation as we walk.

Just getting out and about for an hour during the working week ‘recharges the batteries’ and, as well as providing some exercise, it is a chance to meet new people and find out more about where we live.

 
If you are interested in joining Sandy’s walking group (and you don’t have to commit to every week) please contact her at s.pepperell [at] btinternet.com