V1 : Aug 10 Jubilee Greenway Directions: Disembark from the Woolwich Free Ferry on the south side of Section 6 the Thames at Woolwich, and turn right, heading up-river in a westerly direction, following Thames Path signs all the way. River Thames to Greenwich The Thames Path National Trail runs 180 miles (290 km) along the Thames from its source to the Thames Barrier. In 2001 it was unofficially extended to Crayfordness but not officially adopted as part of the National Trail – the waymarks here have a Thames barge symbol, rather than the acorn of the National Trails. Start: Woolwich Foot Tunnel (TQ432795) Station: Woolwich Arsenal (rail and DLR) or If crossing the river by the foot tunnel, this emerges from the domed Woolwich Arsenal Pier (Clipper) entrance into daylight. Rounding the domed entrance affords a view across Finish: Greenwich Pier (TQ382779) the river to North Woolwich. The building behind it is the Waterfront Leisure Centre. Turn immediately left. Station: Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich Pier (Thames Clipper) Walk down a brick paved access road, bearing left into Glass Yard, and then Distance: 6.2 miles (10 km) immediately right as the road bends round, following signs for the Thames Path and the Capital Ring. Go under a footbridge. The Mitre pub can be Introduction: This section celebrates the river, following the mighty seen to the left and the Woolwich Ambulance Station on the right. Thames upstream from the Woolwich Ferry Dock and Flood Barrier to the steps of the Royal Naval College, passing the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome), numerous wharfs, dramatic views, and surprising wildlife in its wake. Cross the Woolwich Ferry approach road over the pedestrian crossing. Turn right for about 15m to reach the river front, and then turn left along the Thames Path (also marked as the Capital Ring) beside the river (walking This is the sixth section of the Jubilee Greenway. It follows the Thames Path upstream). The route now stays beside the Thames for just over ½ mile. and this means that it is close to the river except where existing buildings or redevelopments mean an inland detour. It has some stunning landmarks and breathtaking views. On the other side of the river can be seen BT’s satellite dishes and, in the distance ahead, the Thames Barrier, A the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome) and the financial buildings of Canary Wharf. Notably it passes the Thames Flood Barrier, the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome) and then arrives at Greenwich itself. There are also a number of the old wharfs remaining which add interest, including Victoria Deep Water Carry on along the Thames Path and Capital Ring with the river to the right. Terminal, Morden Wharf and Pipers Wharf. Cross two small bridges over inflows to the Thames. There are two old cannons along here, as a reminder of the military history of the area. Cross over a basin, after which there is a rondel in the ground, with mosaics, marked ‘Riverside Walk Project 1984-1986’ by the National Elfrida Rathbone Society. Around it are listed the months of the year. On some steps to the left, observe some sculpted fish in the stonework. Ahead are two more cannons. then cross using the controlled crossing into the park on the north side. The path veers left, which affords a view of the 18th century clock tower, once the home and office of the Admiral-Superintendent of the dockyard, About 350m after the roundabout, turn right into Barrier Gardens C at a now the Clockhouse Community Centre. sign marked ‘Thames Barrier ¼ mile’. Now begins the Resolution Walk. A sign gives the distances on this section. Cyclists should take a route skirting the right of the park; walkers can follow Take either the accessible cycle bridge, or a footbridge ahead, staying the Green Chain marker posts. alongside the Thames. After 150m, at Eastmoor Place/Westfield Street, with the Banner Animal About 250m after the ramp, the route turns away from the Thames to the Care Clinic to the left, cross the road and look behind the first building on the left, through housing, because the riverside route is currently impassable. left for the Green Chain marker posts, which returns back onto a footpath Look for a Thames Path sign pointing left through a gateway. If you get to and into the park. some metal fencing barring the way beside the Thames you have gone too far. After another 200m, cross over Utility Way and go ahead slightly to the right. About 100m down Utility Way there are two flights of steps up the grassy Pass through the gateway and some parked cars and turn right onto flood defence embankment – climb to the top and see the Thames Barrier A Harlinger Street, then left into Ruston Road to reach a T-junction, opposite a itself. Then go down the two flights of steps on the other side. blackened building, B which is a remnant of the Woolwich Dockyard. Turn right at the T-junction. Cyclists or anyone who would like a step-free route need to turn left along Utility Way and circle the Environmental Agency building, rejoining the After nearly 250m, at a roundabout, go over Warspite Road. Bear slightly left Thames Path west of the Thames Barrier. and then right into Woolwich Church Street, passing a pub on the corner on the right, Clancy’s. There are also a few cafés along here. There is a café and toilets at the Thames Barrier Information Centre/ Exhibition Building – just 250m east of the Barrier. This can be accessed Note – the route is still following an interim route as the river frontage is not from the bottom of the steps on the riverside, or for the step-free route, turn open in this area at the moment. A new route will be opening up in 2011, but right when you reach Utility Way. for time being, follow the Thames Path interim route signage. From the Barrier, turn left to go upstream along the riverside walk, under a Go along the busy Woolwich Church Street, passing Access Self Storage on covered walkway marked ‘Thames Path National Trail’, which has a profile the right, the White House pub on the left, and Holborn College on the right of the Thames from Thames Head to Sea Reach. This is the official end of (part of Maryon Park School; look out for the decorative carved stone name the National Trail. plaque over the entrance door). Maryon Park itself is on the left, on the other side of the road. Next go up some steps to the left (broad steps with a handrail in the middle). The cycle (step-free) route rejoins the path at the other side. The route of Cyclists should rejoin the carriageway where the route leaves the river at Harlinger Street. Continue on the road over the roundabout at Woolwich Jubilee Greenway Church Street, then keep in the cycle lane to the pedestrian crossing at the Section 6 (River Thames to Greenwich) entrance to Maryon Park. Use the cycle filter lane here to come off the road, page 2 www.walklondon.org.uk the Jubilee Greenway now follows the Thames Path as close to the river as Follow signage for the Thames Path and the Thames Path Cycle Route possible towards the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome). down the west side of the peninsular, past more aggregate plants and wharves (Delta Wharf, Bay Wharf, and Modern Wharf). About 550m after the Barrier, where the path is in between two walls, are a set of bollards on a road called Anchor and Hope Lane. Carry straight ahead Turn left and then right towards a blue wrought iron fence. Follow the on ‘Riverside’ – just 30m after here is a pub called the Anchor & Hope. D Thames Path close to the river. There is rough land to the right. Take a turn Pass Durham Wharf on the right. The route is between two fences. to the left. On the other side of the river, the huge business skyscrapers give way to low residential buildings. Then, 350m after the junction with the pub, Riverside makes a right-angled turn to the left and becomes Lombard Wall, but ignore this and carry on Delta Wharf on the left, the first of a great number of wharves, is a reminder straight ahead towards a set of bollards with fences either side. Go under of the days when the river was very busy with boats and their cargo. Cross the great chutes of the aggregates recycling plant. an area of sand and gravel storage and continue ahead, close to the river. This is rather a rough sandy route underfoot. There is considerable building work taking place here. The Royal Naval College at Greenwich suddenly Follow the route along the Thames Path, which makes a couple of sharp comes into view along the river. turns around wharves and slipways but otherwise hugs the river. Presently there is an inland swing to the left between grey fencing, on a About 450m after the junction with Lombard Wall, is Peartree Way, where rough concrete path. Hanson operates on both sides of this path and much there are two sets of silver metal bollards as well as solar panels and small gravel, cement and sand is being moved about. Reach a sign which wind turbines on posts to the left of the path. This is just in front of the indicates an alternative route back to Phoenix Wharf (1½ miles) and the entrance to the Greenwich Yacht Club on stilts in the water.