London Parks Way
Stage 6 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to Cutty Sark 11.3 miles
This stage begins with a canal walk to Limehouse Basin. Then there is a walk through the regenerated docklands. The stage concludes with a visit to Greenwich Park.
Reaching the start from Stratford Station is easy as the Queen Elizabeth Park is well signposted. On leaving Stratford Station (Westfield entrance) go up the steps on your right and continue along The Street. At traffic lights cross road to enter park. Pass the Aquatics Centre on left and cross bridge.
Facing away from the bridge leading to the Aquatics Centre, turn left towards the Orbit (Britain’s tallest Sculpture) to pass to left of East Twenty Bar and Kitchen (toilets). Turn right on wide track and descend steps to left of bridge (next to Olympic Stadium) down to tow-path. Turn left and then ascend steps on left to turn right over bridge. Cross road at pedestrian crossing and ascend path to Viewtube, with cafe and toilets on left (0.8 miles).
Turn right along Greenway. Take path on left down to Lea Navigation.
Turn left for 800 yards, along towpath, passing under several bridges. Shortly before reaching the Bow flyover and a road bridge, take footbridge on right to cross to right hand side of Lea Navigation and pass under flyover. After 600 yards go up cobbled path, crossing bridge on left to reach 3 Mills. This site has contained tidal mills since the time of the Domesday Book. There are tours of the House Mill on Sunday during the summer and refreshments may be available at the Miller's House (1.6 miles).
Turn right and pass under railway bridge and then under road bridge. Cross Bow Locks by footbridge. Take floating tow-path on right and continue along left hand side of Limehouse Cut for 1.5 miles to reach Limehouse Basin. Continue to exit basin passing lock. Turn left along Narrow Street to pass 400 year old “Grapes” pub on right. After 30 yards turn right through barriers to reach River Thames (good views on right of the London skyline including the Shard, the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, and the Cheesegrater) Continue on left and follow Thames Path to eventually reach Canary Wharf (Thames Clippers sign on right) (4.3 miles).
Turn left up steps. Go between black pillars and then cross road and go ahead through Westferry Circus Gardens. Cross road and pass between black pillars. Cross West India Avenue at traffic lights on left and turn right. Walk clockwise around Cabot Square and turn left to go down steps to enter West India Dock. Turn left and walk around West India Dock in clockwise direction passing site of Spire London which is going to be the biggest residential tower in Western Europe (67stories high) at end turn right past Ledger Building (now Wetherspoons pub), and Museum of London Docklands (café and toilets). Cross bridge over dock on right. Up steps and cross road to go through Cabot Square. Cross road and to go down Cubbitt Steps.
Turn left passing restaurants and cafes to reach Canary Wharf Station. Turn right and cross Bank Street and go through building opposite. Cross bridge over dock and turn left (O2 in distance). Keep straight on turning right at dock inlet. Continue up steps, turn left and turn right over traffic lights to South Quay DLR station. Go ahead to right of station (Harbour South) and continue for 800 yards to right of Millwall Inner Dock passing buildings and bridge on right (6.3 miles).
Shortly before large chimney (used for burning contraband) and opposite Millwall Outer Dock sign turn left and turn left again under bridge. Go up steps and cross East Ferry Road. Go up more steps and enter Mudchute Park through kissing gate. Go up further steps and go through 2 gates across fields to reach ack-ack gun. Turn right and continue to four way junction. Turn left to go up steps and then turn right on raised path passing farm on right. Turn left down steps and turn left to go through gate exiting park. Immediately turn left to enter Millwall Park. Take next path on right to pass railway arches on your right to reach Island Gardens DLR station (7.4 miles).
Cross road and then go ahead along Douglas Path to enter Island Gardens (café on left and right) where there are superb views of Old Greenwich Naval College across the Thames. Go into Greenwich Foot Tunnel, descend steps and walk 400 yards along the tunnel and ascend steps to re-emerge on south side of River Thames. Ignore Cutty Sark on left (finish point of walk). Go ahead along right hand side of Greenwich Church Street (Greenwich Market on left). At St Alfege Church turn left to cross road. Continue along right hand side of Nelson Road and then turn right along King William Walk and enter Greenwich Park (8.2 miles).
Take right hand path past Herb Garden and continue up steep climb alongside right hand side of park. At top go ahead through Rose Garden (Ranger House on right including Wernher Collection) and continue past Queen Caroline’s Bath on right. Continue keeping park wall on right and cricket field on left. Go through 2 gates to reach toilets and then cross Blackheath Avenue with main gate to Blackheath on your right. Go through gate into Flower Garden (9.2 miles).
Go ahead and take first path on left. Take next path on right and follow around pond on left. At second bench on right turn right to cross grass to path and visit view of the Wilderness Deer Park. Retrace steps to path and turn right. Take next path on right (paths on right may be used to get further views of deer park). When path veers right turn half right across grass to join path from right and exit Flower Garden.
Due to ongoing development the deer have been transferred to Richmond Park. The Deer have been successfully integrated into Richmond Park and should add to the gene pool. In 2024 a new deer herd will be introduced into Greenwich Park.
Go ahead to multi-path junction and turn right along path to notice board explaining ruins of Romano-Celtic Temple investigated by The Time Team. Take path on right to multi-path junction and then take second path on left to ascend One Tree Hill. Pass viewpoint and start to descend. Turn right down steps to bottom. Go initially half left across grass and then ascend hill between two lines of trees with dip on left. At crossing path turn left to visit Queen Elizabeth Oak. Turn right to visit General Wolfe statue, Planetarium and Greenwich Royal Observatory (10.2 miles).
This is one of the best viewpoints in London to the right can be seen the O2 Dome and the Emirates Cable Car across the Thames which runs from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks. Immediately ahead is a view of the Old Royal Naval College and the Queens House. The area just in front of the college hosted the Equestrian Arena for the 2012 Olympic Games.
At observatory take right fork down steps. On reaching semi-circular concrete platform on left turn right and then take 2nd path on right and head to the right of the Old Royal Naval College buildings to exit Greenwich Park by gate to left of boating lake. Continue down Park Row passing National Maritime Museum on left. Cross Romney Road and turn left into Old Royal Naval College now converted into Greenwich University and Trinity College of Music. Pass Painted Hall and Chapel on left which are free to visit. Beyond main buildings turn left and then turn left again passing monument to Bellot on right and Discover Greenwich Museum and Meantime Brewery on left. Reach end of walk at the Cutty Sark (11.3 miles).
That completes the walk. Cutty Sark station can be reached by going along Greenwich High Street and then turning right along first alleyway as signposted). Refreshments can be obtained from many pubs including the Wetherspoons that is next to Cutty Sark DLR station.
