Best walks to or from Sidcup

Eltham Station to Sidcup Station

remarkably green. Almost entirely off-road and traffic-free, following the waymarked Shuttle Riverway through parks, ancient and younger woodland and green riverside footpaths. Mostly flat with some short slopes near Avery Hill and one unpaved muddy section; kissing-gate barriers. Follows the Shuttle Riverway along the River Shuttle from its source; passes the Winter Garden glasshouse in Avery Hill Park (free, open 10-16); toilets at Eltham station.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: A cafe in Avery Hill Park is the only mid-route stop, plus plenty of benches and bus stops.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sidcup Station to Swanley Station

An excellent, mostly off-road and very green route through suburban Sidcup, the lovely Foots Cray Meadows (crossing the River Cray at Five Arches Bridge), on into rural country towards Swanley. It crosses Joyden's Wood and field-edge paths past a golf course; the bridleway section of Parsonage Lane and Joyden's Wood can be extremely muddy in winter and with a couple of quiet narrow lanes. Foots Cray Meadows has Five Arches Bridge over the River Cray. Wood-ant nests and bluebells in Joyden's Wood. Birchwood Park golf course restaurant is open to the public.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

The bridleway along Parsonage Lane and the southern edge of Joyden's Wood can be extremely muddy and challenging in winter. A couple of quiet narrow lanes where you may need to squeeze into a nettly verge. At least one stile and small gates. Crossing the busy A223/North Cray Road (a pelican crossing is nearby).

Lunch: A small parade of shops about half a mile south on the A223, and a farm shop, campsite and pub about the same distance north.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route