Thames Path Walk - Erith to Woolwich

Part of the gardens at Erith alongside the Thames

On Monday, which turned out to be quite hot, hubby and I set out for a walk along the River Thames in the part known as the Thames Path Extension. I found it exciting to see a part of London I did not know. Even though Erith is Kent it is part of the London Borough of Bexley. Although the book takes the walk the other way round from Woolwich to Erith there was something satisfying after a long walk to see London in the distance and getting nearer!

The Thames Path extension actually ends at Crayford Ness but to include that section on this walk would have added another three miles to the journey and I know my limits! It will make that last section a doddle after this. Erith station is close to the river and has some lovely gardens alongside the banks, though we didn't spend long there. We'll leave that for next time.

Turning left we head upriver. I couldn't believe this was still London. On the other side of the river were marshes and greenery of Essex. It was quiet and relaxing with few people around. The walk is seven miles in length and on a hot day with rather a lot of concrete walls on the left it felt like the height of August. The tide was out and I loved the sand/mud patterns. Here there were gulls and other birds. Could have done with some binoculars really. Along the route there are old abandoned piers from former industry which I found rather photogenic.  Further upriver and on the other bank was the Ford Dagenham Car Factory.

Ford Dagenham Car Factory

We'd taken our own lunch which was just as well as there is nowhere to buy food. The next real urban town before Woolwich is Thamesmead which is rather a long way and you'd have to come off the path to find a shop. However, before Thamesmead there is the smelly section where waste disposal goes on. There are several factories including one where they incinerate it. Mmm interesting smells...not! There is also the place where lorries come in and out and containers are hauled onto barges. That was a hive of activity. At one point where water flowed out gulls were having a feast. I did wonder what they were finding there. Didn't bear thinking about maybe.

The waste incinerator 

Food the birds?!

Part digestion?

Along the wall around the Crossness area are some lovely paintings of the Thames back through time. Then there are the notice boards about the former industry, bird life and peep holes to view the river. We came across the old pumping station built by Joseph Bazalgette and here the sewage was diverted after the issue of the 'big stink' and new sewers were built. I'm sure the locals were really pleased with him to have the waste products of central London dumped on their doorstep!

The Pumping Station at Crossness built by Joseph Bazalgette

Through the peep hole

Shortly after Crossness we were walking on what I'd call a promenade with a view of London (oh so welcome) in the distance. All I needed now was a kiosk selling ice cream or cups of tea. Unfortunately there were none and I'd have killed for a cuppa.

Nearing Woolwich we came across a set of cannons and then we could spot the Woolwich Ferry and the Thames Barrier in the distance. And overhead planes were coming in to land at London City Airport.

Finally we arrived in Woolwich where there were more cannons and a nice art installation by Peter Burke of a group of people. After a few photos we headed towards Woolwich Arsenal station to head home (stopping off at Poundland for a cold drink as my water had almost run out and I was gasping).

This was a very interesting walk. We ambled far too slowly during the first half of the walk and realised we needed to step it up a bit. My legs just about held out and certainly let me know about it the following day when I had to go to the library. Of course I could have got the bus there but that's a slippery slope!

Woolwich

Art installation by Peter Burke