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Crystal Palace to Forest Hill Walk

Short surburban London walk with plenty of interesting and unusual features.

London

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  • A Scenic Hiking Adventure: Crystal Palace Dinosaurs to Forest Hill in 4K
    Hiking In London, Oct-20

    Short surburban London walk with plenty of interesting and unusual features.

    Length

    Main Walk: 13¾ km (8.5 miles). Three hours 20 minutes walking time. For the whole excursion including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 7 hours.

    Toughness: 3 out of 10

    This short suburban walk takes in five attractive parks and gardens with plenty of interesting and unusual features. The majority of the walk is necessarily on urban paths and pavements but two sections explore the neighbouring Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood, the last remnants of the ancient North Wood which once covered south London (and gave its name to the suburb of Norwood).

    The Crystal Palace was the popular name for the vast building constructed in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition in 1851. After the exhibition closed it was rebuilt on Penge Common and the surrounding area eventually acquired the name. The building was completely destroyed by fire in 1936 and only traces of the gardens and terraces survive. At the start of the walk you could learn about its history in the small Crystal Palace Museum (open Sundays only from 11am to 4pm summer, 3pm winter); free admission.

    The most unusual sight on this walk is the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, the first ever life-size sculptures of dinosaurs and extinct mammals. They were constructed in the 1850s – before the publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species – and restored in 2002.

    The central section of the walk is through the leafy suburb of Dulwich and passes the Dulwich Picture Gallery with its important collection of European old master paintings (open Tue–Sun from 10am to 5pm); admission (2019) is £9. Alongside is Old College, the original site of Dulwich College which later became one of England's largest independent schools in the New College buildings.

    This walk is covered by our Club's insurance. Our Club is registered on The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

    © Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

    swcwalks swcwalk137 #HikingUK #HikinginLondon #LondonWalk

  • Crystal Palace to Forest Hill: Exploring the Charm of South London 🇬🇧
    Hiking In London, May-20

    Join us on a delightful walking adventure as we journey from Crystal Palace to Forest Hill, exploring the hidden gems and natural beauty of South London. This scenic trail takes us through lush green spaces, charming residential areas, and vibrant local communities. Admire the iconic Crystal Palace Park, with its stunning Victorian dinosaurs and tranquil lakes, before meandering through the picturesque streets of Sydenham and Honor Oak. Discover the rich history and architectural wonders along the way, from the grandeur of Dulwich College to the artistic delights of Horniman Museum and Gardens. Whether you're a local seeking a new perspective on your city or a visitor looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant neighborhoods of London, this walk offers a perfect blend of urban charm and natural serenity. Lace up your walking shoes, embrace the spirit of adventure, and join us on this memorable journey through South London. Subscribe now for more exciting walking trails and city explorations in the UK!

    #CrystalPalacetoForestHill #HikingUK #ExploreLondon #SouthLondonWalk #LondonWalk

    This walk is covered by our Club's insurance. Our Club is registered on The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

    © Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

    swcwalks swcwalk137