Walking - what's on offer

Walking is one of the best ways to see the borough's world-renowned landmarks, maritime history and ancient woodlands.

There are many ways to explore Greenwich, from following the Thames Path along the river to exploring the area with a guided walk from an experienced local tour guide.

You could also take the Green Chain Walk, a 40-mile network of paths connecting open spaces in four south-east London boroughs.

Our Park Ranger Service organises regular park tours, nature rambles and conservation workdays.

Take a walk on the wild side through Greenwich's beautiful parks and woods. You can find out more about parks and gardens in Greenwich in our environment and planning section.

Walk the Games

Greenwich is one of the host boroughs of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

You can take a tour of the Olympic sites on a walking route that passes some of the borough's famous attractions.

Woolwich

Woolwich has a rich and varied past. Here are some of the historic sights and experiences you can find in the area:

• Royal naval history dating back to 1512, when Henry VIII established a royal dockyard and laid foundations of England’s navy
• Warren Lane, which is located on the site originally known as Woolwich Warren due to the large numbers of rabbits which inhabited the area
• Riverside Park - developed on a site once so secret that it never appeared on maps - with superb views of The O2 and Canary Wharf
• Firepower - the museum of the Royal Artillery
• Thames Barrier - a 20th century engineering triumph
• Woolwich Ferry - linking east and south-east London since the 14th century and still carrying vehicles and passengers free of charge
• fragmented ruins of Royal Garrison Church of St George, including surviving mosaic
• Royal Artillery barracks, including parade ground with superb Georgian façade
• town centre market granted charter in 1620
• founding home of the Royal Arsenal Cooperative Society in Powis Street
• The Tramshed, built as electricity transformer station in 1908, and a popular entertainment venue in the 1970s and 1980s.

Tudor Eltham

• Landscaped gardens and original moat and bridge from a 16th century manor house at Well Hall Pleasaunce.
• Moat, gardens and surviving Great Hall of Eltham Palace.
• Home to ‘the princes in the Tower’, and much visited by Shakespeare, the hall has recently been restored, along with the adjacent Art Deco home of the Courtauld family. Open to the public, the palace is surrounded by grounds that offer stunning views across to London and the Kent countryside. 
• Set in the grounds there is also a 17th century lodge, Eltham Lodge.
• Parish Church of St John the Baptist, dating from 1872 but housing the remains of a sarcophagus from the original 12th century church.
• Tranquil park at Eltham Tarn, containing an original brick-built 18th century ice well.
• Italianate villa at Avery Hill, with winter garden and 90ft glass dome.

Deptford

• Site of a Royal Shipyard, founded by King Henry VIII. Famous sailors such as Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and Captain Cook all sailed from Deptford on their voyages of discovery.
• The Shipwright’s Palace - originally a receiving house for royalty such as Queen Elizabeth I and Charles II - and all that remains of the Royal Dockyard.
• Twinkle Park - 1999 award-winner for its architectural design.
• Albury Street - popular legend has it that Nelson and Lady Hamilton were once residents in one of these fine houses.
• London’s first and oldest working railway station.
• Grave of Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan dramatist, in St Nicholas’ churchyard.

Blackheath

• Site of the Poll Tax rebels’ 1381 confrontation with Richard II.
• One of London’s few surviving 1840s railway stations.
• The Paragon - superb Georgian colonnade.
• Listed examples of modernist residential architecture.
• Chinese-inspired Pagoda house, dating from 1760.
• Blackheath Halls - London’s first purpose-built concert hall, which is still in use today.