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Blackheath to Canary Wharf Walk

Greenwich Park with its world-famous Museums and a foot tunnel under the Thames to Canary Wharf.

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History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 17-Nov-24 Blackheath to Canary Wharf
Sun, 22-Jan-23 Blackheath to Greenwich or Canary Wharf 13 sunny
Sun, 06-Feb-22 Blackheath to Greenwich or Canary Wharf 4 sun in the afternoon
Sun, 19-Jan-20 Historic Greenwich and spectacular Winter Lights 32 fine dry slightly chilly
Sat, 18-Feb-17 – Maritime Greenwich 13 started grey but changed in the afternoon to bright sunshine
Sat, 31-Oct-15 Saturday Third Walk – through Britain's maritime history 7 sunny
Sun, 06-Apr-14 Blackheath to Canary Wharf Walk 3

Sunday 17-Nov-24

Sean
Extra Walk 215 – Blackheath to Canary Wharf

Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take the Thameslink train towards Rainham (Kent) starting from Kentish Town at 10:26 (St Pancras 10:31 … London Bridge 10:46, Lewisham 10:59), arriving Blackheath (TfL Zone 3) at 11:02.

Alternatively, take the 10:33 Dartford train from Victoria (Denmark Hill 10:43, Peckham Rye 10:46, etc) which arrives three minutes earlier at 10:59. Wait on the platform for the Thameslink arrivals.

At Canary Wharf there are separate stations (all in Zone 2) for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Jubilee Line and Elizabeth Line.

Maritime Greenwich A plethora of engineering works elsewhere has prompted me to post this walk a few months earlier than usual, when it would have coincided with the Winter Lights Festival† at Canary Wharf. It's obviously not a country walk but at this time of year there might still be some late autumn colour to be seen on the many veteran and ornamental trees in Greenwich Park.

After leaving the park I remember being able to squeeze into the Plume of Feathers (Greenwich's oldest pub) for Sunday lunch, but this is by no means guaranteed. There are other places in and around the Greenwich World Heritage Site or you could do what several walkers did last time, divert to Greenwich Market to pick up some street food.

If you can tear yourself away from the free attractions in this area – the art collection in the Queen's House, the Chapel of the Royal Naval College and the exhibits in the Maritime Museum – the walk crosses to the Isle of Dogs via the foot tunnel and follows the Thames Path to Canary Wharf. There are plenty of refreshment opportunities here too as well as lots of outdoor public art to be seen.

You'll need to bring the directions from the L=swc.215 page.

† Perhaps one of our midweek posters will oblige with an evening stroll around Canary Wharf in January.

Sunday 22-Jan-23

Mr M Tiger

12 km (7.5 miles) Toughness 1 out of 10. This walk crosses Blackheath and takes a circuitous route through Greenwich Park, with fine views down to the river from the higher points. We eventually reach Greenwich, home to several museums. You could finish the walk there but - and this is the exciting bit – the full walk continues under the Thames in a foot tunnel and makes its way along the other bank to Canary Wharf. Get there late enough (5pm) and you have another chance to visit the annual Win t er L ig h ts festival, the focus of last Thursday’s walk.
Trains
Take the 10:37 Dartford train from Victoria arriving Blackheath 11:04
There’s also a 10:32 from Cannon Street, arrives 10:49
Returning, Elizabeth, Jubilee and DLR services are available from Canary Wharf
There’s a DLR station at Cutty Sark for early leavers.
All within zone 3
Elevenses: The Pavilion Café would make an ideal stop before venturing into Greenwich Park
Lunch: The Plume of Feathers (020-8858 1661) at 19 Park Vista (just outside Park Row Gate). Other hostelries are available.
Tea: This directory may help.
A previous group suggested The Space, 269 Westferry Rd, London E14
Attractions
These are free (booking advised but not compulsory)
The National Maritime Museum, especially the adjoining Queens House, with its tulip staircase, decorated ceiling and Tudor portraits (including the Armada portrait of Elizabeth I).
The Royal Naval College’s chapel is worth a quick look. Like an inside-out bit of Wedgewood.
The Winter Lights festival is free. 5-10pm. There's other art dotted round Canary Wharf as well.

The Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark cost £16 each to go inside (combined ticket available) but you can see the outside for free. Keep one eye open for the Observatory's time ball descending at 1pm.
Walk Directions here
t=swc.215



  • Mon, 23-Jan-23

    9 at the station, joined later by another 4, makes the number 13 A sunny day, cold out of the sun. There was an attempted breakaway in Greenwich Park. Some of us waited dutifully at the side of the cafe for the others to use the facilities - and waited and waited. They’d only scarpered out the front hadn’t they?

    There was a reunion at Wolfe’s statue but this don’t stop one or two stragglers taking the wrong path down the hill only to have to go back up again. (Not L-word lost, just fallen behind). We didn’t catch up till the afternoon.

    Those ahead obviously hadn’t heard of dawdling. And there appeared to be little appetite for the museums. When Greenwich was reached, the pubs had no room. I believe most patronised the local shops and sat on the steps near the Cutty Sark. All this put us dangerously ahead of schedule for the Winter Lights.

    There was a reunion of sorts at the Space bar on the other side of the river. Then on to the lofty peaks of Canary Wharf, reached an hour too soon for the lights. As far as I know, only 2 hung around to see them. In hindsight, starting an hour later would have worked better. An enjoyable day all the same.

Sunday 06-Feb-22

Mr M Tiger

Length 12 km (7.5 miles).
This walk crosses Blackheath then takes a circuitous route through Greenwich Park – up, down, and all around . There are fine views down to the river from the higher points. You eventually descend to historic Greenwich. You could finish the walk there but - get this - the full walk continues under the Thames via a foot tunnel and makes its way along the far bank to Canary Wharf.
Trains
Meet at 10:37 Blackheath station.
The 10:16 Dartford train from Charing Cross ( London Bridge 10:25) arrivies Blackheath at 10:37.
The 10:04 Dartford train from Victoria arrives Blackheath at 10:28.
Returning, Canary Wharf is on the Jubilee Line.
(If finishing at Greenwich, note that there's no direct DLR train from Cutty Sark to Bank today. You can still take one to Canary Wharf for the Jubilee Line. Check here for other options).
All travel is within zones 1- 3.
Elevenses Shortly after entering Greenwich Park, you encounter the Pavillion Cafe, which is quite nice but not compulsory.
Lunch The following are suggested. The Plume of Feathers (020-8858 1661) at 19 Park Vista (just outside Park Row Gate), also The Trafalgar and The Cutty Sark (it's a pub).
Tea No particular recommendation but Canary Wharf is not short of places This guide may help.
Places of Interest
The National Maritime Museum, and especially the adjoining Queens House with its tulip staircase and Tudor portraits. Free to visit. Booking advised.
The Royal Naval College’s ornate chapel is worth a quick look.(free) The college’s famous Painted Hall costs £12.50 book in advance.
To go inside the Cutty Sark (it’s a ship) would set you back a few bob (£15 book in advance) but you can see the outside for nowt.
The Royal Observatory is closed at present but keep your eye out for the time-ball descending (every day at 1pm).
Sadly, no Canary Wharf Lights festival this year cos of you-know-what. There's other stuff you can look at listed here.
Directions: here
t=swc.215


  • Mon, 07-Feb-22

    4 on this walk with no rain and sun in the afternoon, we traversed Greenwich Park to the market food stalls for lunch..through the foot tunnel to The Space, an excellent bar and theatre venue.

  • Mon, 07-Feb-22

    4 sun in the afternoon

Sunday 19-Jan-20

Chris L
Blackheath to Canary Wharf
Length: 12km (7.5 miles) Toughness: 1/10

10:34 Dartford train from Victoria arriving at Blackheath at 10:58.
or10:32 Rainham train from St Pancras International arriving at Blackheath at 11:02.
or 10:42 Dartford train from Charing Cross arriving at Blackheath at 11:05.
Both the latter trains call at London Bridge and Lewisham.
Those arriving on the two earlier trains should wait for walkers arriving on the second Dartford train before starting the walk.

To return from Canary Wharf, take any of the frequent trains on the Jubilee Line or the Docklands Light Railway.

There are many points of interest on this shortish walk that crosses the River Thames as it flows past Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs, but today’s principal attraction comes right at the end of the walk in the form of Canary Wharf’s traditional annual Winter Lights display, a collection of spectacular light installations and interactive art, spread across the open spaces of Canary Wharf. The exhibits operate from 4:00pm to 10:00pm, and the lights need to be seen after dark, so there’s no need to rush the earlier part of the walk. The Winter Lights website has a downloadable map showing the location of all the installations. If you can’t get to today’s walk, please note that Winter Lights continues each evening until Saturday 25th January.

Before reaching Canary Wharf, the route crosses Blackheath and goes past many historic buildings and sites in Greenwich, including the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark.

The recommended lunchtime pub is the Plume of Feathers (020 8858 1661), just outside Greenwich Park, but there are many other watering holes in the vicinity.

You can download a PDF of the walk directions, or print them from the walk’s introduction page.

T=swc.215
  • Sun, 19-Jan-20

    About 30 at the station, with one or two turning up later. So let’s say 32 on a fine dry slightly chilly day. Touches of frost, no mud (due to the walk being on proper paths). Like all large unstable compounds, the group soon fragmented. The group I was in numbered about 10 but, after a couple of circuits of Greenwich Park, and a whirlwind tour through the Observatory, we managed to whittle that down to about 5. The Plume of Feathers was chocka. Some of SWC's royalty had managed to get a table but the rest of us, the humble 5, made our way to the Old Brewery pub after a cultured foray into the Queens House and the chapel. That pub was chocka too so we sat in its garden, myself nursing an ICE COLD pint of Winter Warmer (served by an oxymoron). Then off past the Cutty Sark, under the Thames by foot tunnel, arriving eventually at Canary Wharf. It was still light when we started our tour of Winter Lights (by now just 2 of us – where did they all go?) and the first couple of installations were less than whelming. As it got darker, though, they got better. The Squiggles in Jubilee Park were worthy of mention as were the multi-coloured trees. As well as getting darker we was getting colder and tireder so we left without seeing everything.

  • Mon, 20-Jan-20

    Just to add that, if this combination were to be repeated next year, it would probably benefit from a designated tea or pub stop so our forces can regroup and await darkness before exploring the lights

Saturday 18-Feb-17

Sean
Extra Walk 215 – Blackheath to Canary Wharf
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

10:39 Gillingham train from Charing Cross (Waterloo East 10:42, London Bridge 10:47), arriving Blackheath at 11:00. I suggest loitering on the platform for a few minutes as some might choose to travel on the 10:39 Dartford train from Victoria, arriving at 11:04.

Blackheath is in TfL Zone 3 and Canary Wharf (Jubilee Line and DLR) is in Zone 2.

A short urban walk for those who don't quite see the appeal of long muddy walks in winter. This one is really an excuse for sightseeing in and around the Greenwich World Heritage Site: the free attractions include an Astronomy photo exhibition at the Royal Observatory, the art collection in the Queen's House, the Painted Hall and Chapel of the Royal Naval College and the exhibits in the Maritime Museum. After crossing under the Thames in the foot tunnel you'll also get to see the site of Brunel's ill-fated attempt to launch his largest ship, the SS Great Eastern.

There are many possible lunch places in Greenwich but the midweek evening walkers (who do a shorter version of this walk in summer) traditionally opt for the Plume of Feathers, just outside one of the park's gates. At the end of the walk you'll find plenty of refreshment opportunities in Canary Wharf.

You'll need to print the walk directions (with maps) from the Extra Walk 215 page. T=swc.215
  • Wed, 15-Feb-17

    And just to mention, if walkers haven't had enough walking when they arrive Canary wharf, they may stroll along the Thames Path to Limehouse Basin (and catch a DLR) or continue up the Regents Canal to Mile End and catch a Central or District Line Tube there.

  • Mon, 20-Feb-17

    13 met at the station arriving by almost as many different routes as Blackheath seems to be very easily accessible.

    The weather started grey but changed in the afternoon to bright sunshine . A lovely parkland walk for a bleak winters day with numerous points to pique ones interest including Caroline's bath and the barrows causing a lot of discussion and wondering, (both checked out on Wiki later to much amusement) and wandering.

    Greenwich park is also famous for birdlife ( one said that they saw an owl though nobody else confirmed it ) and red and fallow deer - seen by all and a rose garden that would be better in the summer months.

    Lunch was a somewhat long and relaxed affair - primarily due to some sort of upset in the kitchen ( maybe the cook had a hissy fit at 10 of us arriving at once ) but it did mean that lunch lasted something like 80 minutes at The Plume of Feathers but the food was very nice and reasonable.

    After lunch the group broke up with us now being only 7, others having left early or staying on.

    This was a cultural tour in that we also visited the Queens House, Royal Observatory ( free part ) and some other bits.The chapel was magnificent in it's decoration and splendour ( lots of discussion about how the balconies were supported - something IKEA does today with discreet fixings but not on this scale which would hold a third of the congregation )

    The painted hall was closed for renovation and will reopen in April. (At that time the scaffolding will remain for a while allowing visitors with a head for heights to get within 8 foot of the ceiling).

    Hopefully this walk will be reposted with a view to view the painted ceiling and rose garden splendour.

    The 7 of us walked through the foot tunnel (with a busker strumming "Stand by Me" the old Ben E King classic though everybody seemed to 'Walk on by') before emerging into Island Gardens where another 4 deserted the group - I was one of them and now they were 3 though rumour has it that all 3 actually finished the walk.

    Amazing - no mud all day thus dry boots and no slipping over and no need for poles - one day all walks will be this good.

  • River Lady
    Mon, 20-Feb-17

    Two who left the lunch pub before the main group, having ordered sandwiches which arrived quite quickly, also completed this interesting and enjoyable walk. We caught the tube from Canary Wharf after a coffee at Smollenskys.

  • Mon, 20-Feb-17

    Very enjoyable walk on a beautiful sunny spring like day with plenty of culture thrown in.

    I would like to see more of these shorter walks of 7-9 miles for those of us who are not getting any younger! There were 13 people on the walk so there is definitely a call for this.

    Thank you Sean

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 20-Feb-17

    reluctantly have to agree with Jennifer on the mileage, and say shorter distances also good for some of us who aren't v.fit

Saturday 31-Oct-15

Sean
Extra Walk 215 – Blackheath to Canary Wharf
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 1/10

10:24 Slade Green train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 10:28, New Cross 10:33), arriving Blackheath at 10:41. There are other services to Blackheath from Charing Cross and Victoria (both departing at 10:09) arriving 5-10 minutes earlier, if either of those are more convenient.

Blackheath is in TfL Zone 3 and Canary Wharf (Jubilee Line and DLR) is in Zone 2.

This urban walk had an inauspicious début 18 months ago, when gloomy weather and unfounded rumours of train cancellations put off all but a couple of locals. It's basically an extension of one of the club's summer evening walks in Greenwich Park, with bits tacked on at each end. The advantage of doing it in daylight hours is that you can break off to visit some of the many (free) attractions in the Greenwich World Heritage Site: see the walk document for details. Or you can simply clock off the miles and get back in time to watch the rugby (or put in half a day's overtime at your Docklands office).

There are many possible lunch places in Greenwich but the midweek evening walkers traditionally opt for the Plume of Feathers, just outside one of the park's gates. If you do the final section along the Thames Path you'll find plenty of choice in Canary Wharf too.

You'll need to print the walk directions (with maps) from the Extra Walk 215 page. T=swc.215
  • Wed, 11-Nov-15

    On a sunny day 7 walkers enjoyed the autumn colours without venturing too far from the Greenwich Meridian. Watches were synchronised with GMT when the time ball fell at 1pm. It wasn't quite warm enough to have lunch outdoors at the Plume of Feathers but we did anyway (one in T-shirt, the others shivering in multiple layers of clothing). With plenty of little detours for sightseeing we didn't get to Canary Wharf until about 4.30pm, where at least one enjoyed the second half of the rugby.