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Brockwell Park Short Walk

Short amble through a small but well-kept urban park in South East London on raised ground. With longer options to/from Brixton or Denmark Hill Stations.

Easy London Short

History

Club walks since April 2015, and a summary which goes back to Jan 2010.

Date Option Post # Weather
Thu, 02-Apr-26 b Evening Walk - Scenic amble through a couple of small but well-kept urban parks on raised ground: Brockwell and Ruskin Parks (Herne Hill to Denmark Hill) 16 cold but sunny
Thu, 03-Apr-25 b Evening Walk - Spring Flowers with City and Nine Elms Views: Brockwell Park plus Ruskin Park (Herne Hill to Denmark Hill) 5 sunny fine
Thu, 12-Oct-23 Evening Walk - Welcome to Autumn: Brockwell Park (Herne Hill Circular) 2 overcast but dry
Thu, 30-Mar-23 Evening Walk - Spring Flowers and City Views: Brockwell Park (Herne Hill Circular) 6 dry
Wed, 06-Oct-21 Evening Walk: From Brockwell Park to Brixton 6 perfect mild autumnal evening
Thu, 24-Sep-20 Evening Walk: From Brockwell Park to Brixton 9 lovely sunset casting nice colors across the mostly clear evening sky
Tue, 16-Apr-19 a Evening Walk - Brockwell Park and Brixton Windmill - Herne Hill to Brixton 10 dry and warmish
Sun, 02-Sep-18 [New!] [Weekend Short Walk] Brockwell Park 5 hot and sunny
Thu, 03-May-18 Evening Walk - Brockwell Park (Herne Hill Circular) [New Walk] 4 warm almost summer evening
Thomas G
Length : 6.7 km (4.2) or 3.9 km (2.4 mi)
Ascent : 70m or 40m
Net Walking Time : 1 ½ hours or 1 hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 18.25.
From Central London ,
- either take the 18.12 Orpington train from Victoria (18.19 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 18.21,
- or the Thameslink service to Sutton (17.57 St. Pancras via stations to Blackfriars (18.06), then Elephant 18.10 and Loughborough Junction 18.16), arriving 18.19.
From Outer London :
- either take the 17.50 Victoria train from Orpington (arrives 18.22)
- or the 17.46 St. Alban’s City train from Sutton (arrives 18.11).
Return trains:
- from Herne Hill: 4 per hour in every direction;
- from Denmark Hill: plenty trains (to Victoria or Blackfriars (Thameslink) or Gravesend or Gillingham or Sevenoaks) or Overground (to Clapham Jct or Dalston Jct).
Variation of an established short walk, with Ruskin Park added on (linked by quiet residential streets), meaning a finish at Denmark Hill Station in Camberwell, which has a lovely pub within the station. Brockwell Hall has experienced a “transformative refurbishment” and has now re-opened and looks stunning inside and out (judging by photos in the Southwark News).
Here is the blurb for the Brockwell Park Circuit:
"This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the evening).”

Both parks ought to be open to “…15 minutes before sunset.”, according to Lambeth’s website, i.e.: to 19.20 hours at least… but in practice, we found both parks open long enough for this walk last year (on 30 March)…

Tea:
- en route: Bullfinch Brewery Tap Room Arch 886-887, Rosendale Road. Open to 22.00 hours;
- at Herne Hill Station: plenty of options, see the walk directions for details;- in Denmark Hill: FCB Coffee (open to 20.00) or The Phoenix , a well-regarded pub.
For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here .
  • Thomas G
    Apr-26

    Longer days and some sunshine during the day, and the punters come out of their cubby holes! There were a couple of very infrequent SWC-ies, 1 of those from Ye Olde TimeOut Walkers days in the 90s; 2 previously daywalk-only walkers, several who lived close to the parks and almost every evening walk regular and semi-regular, 16 in total.

    12 started the walk, another 1 approached us from a bus stop, 1 other then cycled towards us (and spent the rest of the walk pushing said bike), 1 other was late (cancelled train from Sutton) but caught us up, so 15 commenced the Brockwell Park loop in cold but sunny weather.

    The park was pretty, especially the Walled Garden, a dedicated Quiet Zone (until the SWC turned up).

    At Herne Hill Station, 1 then turned left for a bus back to Brixton, but a 16th walker joined us on the far side of the road, late from a long-ish blood-giving appointment.

    On up through quiet residential streets to Ruskin Park, where the rear half of the group got detached (taking photos of the Skyline) and then got 'lost' by following the 'wrong' German.

    Of the 15, 1 went took a train at Denmark Hill Station, while 14 entered The Phoenix with scant hope of finding somewhere to sit. BUT, of the few tables available, one had space for exactly 14! Dinner and drinks were had.

  • Thomas G
    Apr-26

    Having just checked the facts: this was the highest ever attendance for any version of this walk, and by a long way

Thomas G
Length: 6.7 km (4.2) or 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Ascent: 70m or 40m
Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hours or 1 hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 18.22.
From Central London , either take the 18.12 Orpington train from Victoria (18.19 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 18.21, or the Thameslink service to Sutton (17.57 St. Pancras via stations to Blackfriars (18.06), then Elephant 18.10 and Loughborough Junction 18.16), arriving 18.19.
From Outer London : either take the 17.50 train from Orpington (arrives 18.22) or the 17.46 from Sutton (arrives 18.11).

Return trains:
- from Herne Hill: 4 per hour in every direction;
- from Denmark Hill: plenty trains to Victoria or Blackfriars (Thameslink) or Gravesend or Gillingham or Sevenoaks or Overground to Clapham Jct or Dalston Jct.
Variation of an established short walk, now with Ruskin Park added on (linked by quiet residential streets), meaning a finish at Denmark Hill Station in Camberwell, which has a lovely pub within the station. Brockwell Hall is in the final throws of a £7.7 Million “transformative refurbishment” and may well have re-opened by the day of the walk and look stunning inside and out.
Here’s the blurb for the Brockwell Park Circuit:

This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the evening).”

Both parks ought to be open to “…15 minutes before sunset.”, according to Lambeth’s website, i.e.: to 19.20 hours at least… but in practice, we found at least Brockwell Park open longer around the same time of year in 2023. So, hopefully we won’t get locked into Ruskin Park…

Tea:
- en route: Bullfinch Brewery Tap Room Arch 886-887, Rosendale Road. Open to 22.00 hours;
- at Herne Hill Station: plenty of options, see the walk directions for details;
- in Denmark Hill: FCB Coffee (open to 20.00) or The Phoenix, a well-regarded pub.

For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here .

  • Thomas G
    Apr-25

    5 started a few minutes after the posted time on a sunny fine evening. A great time to walk this park (or many others presumably), as loads of plants and flowers are in flower or showing other signs of life, while the swans were again there in their nest with an unknown number of eggs hidden from sight, the air was clean and fresh and distant skylines were crystal clear. The refurbishment of the Park Mansion and its cafe (which seems to be in a newly-built extension?) is not quite finished though. All 5 went on up to Ruskin Park, where the final panoramic views from the top of the park were especially tremendous: from The Shard to Nine Elms, including all of the West End. A new-ish Wildlife Garden was ventured into as well, spurred on by one of us who had volunteered there last year to set it up! Off to The Phoenix then, still well before dusk, where a local singer was performing, a touch too noisy maybe for conversation, but she soon finished anyway and we could then enjoy the quite decent food and some good conversation.

Thomas G
Length: 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Ascent: 70m
Net Walking Time: 1 hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 17.37.
From Central London , either take the 17.27 Orpington train from Victoria (17.34 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 17.36, or the Thameslink service from St. Alban’s City to Sutton (17.12 St. Pancras via stations to Blackfriars (17.21), then Elephant 17.25 and Loughborough Junction 17.30), arriving 17.34.
From Outer London : either take the 17.06 train from Orpington (arrives 17.37) or the 16.49 from Sutton (arrives 17.26).
Return trains: 4 per hour in every direction.
This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the evening).
The Park ought to be open to “…15 minutes before sunset.”, i.e.: to 18.00 hours at least…
If we witness staff closing gates around 18.00 already, we’ll divert to walk the alternative ending to Brixton…
Tea: P lenty of options near the station.
For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here .
  • Thomas G
    Oct-23

    Lambeth, Lambeth, Lambeth... As per the Council's website, the park is open to 15 mins before sunset (ie 18.00 today), while as per a printed sheet at the park entrance, it is closing at 19.00 hours this week! So, the start of this walk was unnecessarily early, possibly accounting for me seeing no companions at the start of it. But a walk's a walk, especially when in overcast but dry conditions after a mostly rainy day. The gates were still open when I left the park and when I then sat down in The Commercial for a drink, I saw a text from 1 other walker that had started a couple of minutes late. 2 We met up and later changed over to The Florence for a meal. Last time we tried here, it was clsoed for general refurbishment, and it has come out of that very nicely indeed. Meals were of good quality as well.

Thomas G
Length: 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Ascent: 70m
Net Walking Time: 1 hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 18.22.
From Central London , either take the 18.12 Orpington train from Victoria (18.19 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 18.21, or the Thameslink service to Sutton (17.57 St. Pancras via stations to Blackfriars (18.06), then Elephant 18.10 and Loughborough Junction 18.16), arriving 18.19.
From Outer London : either take the 17.54 train from Orpington (arrives 18.22) or the 17.46 from Sutton (arrives 18.11).
Return trains: 4 per hour in every direction.
This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the evening).
The Park ought to be open to “…15 minutes before sunset.”, i.e.: to 19.15 hours at least…
Tea: Bullfinch Brewery Tap Room Arch 886-887, Rosendale Road. Open to 22.00 hours.
Plus, plenty of options near the station, see the walk directions for details.
For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here.
  • Thomas G
    Mar-23

    6 in dry weather, initially warm while the sun was out, then chilly when the cold wind took over. The early start proved to be unecessary, as the park was open until 20.00 hours anyway, despite what Lambeth's own website says. Plenty of flowers out in bloom in the park, which one of the walkers talked us through, and even more of them in the splendid walled garden. Some birdsong as well, but almost all drowned out by the hundreds of parakeets (who were seen picking trees' buds off and tossing them down, just to get to some nectare). A drink for 5 of us at the end at The Commercial (The Florence is closed for a refurb).

  • Thomas G
    Mar-23

    Oh, and the nesting swans were back in situ...

Stargazer

From Brockwell Park to Brixton Walk

Distance: Approximately 2.4 miles/3.8 km or 3.8 miles/6.2 km

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: 17:35ish at Herne Hill Station (either the 17:21 Sutton bound train from London Blackfriars or 17:28 Orpington bound train from London Victoria should do the trick)

This short walk explores the varied terrain of Brockwell Park in Southeast London and continues on to vibrant Brixton with its various hostelries....We have a slightly earlier start tonight to ensure we make it through Brockwell Park before it closes at dusk.....

More information about the route can be found here .

Enjoy the walk!

  • Stargazer
    Oct-21

    Five managed the early start with one more catching us up in Brockwell Park, making for 6 on a perfect mild autumnal evening . The early start allowed us to complete the park section of the walk before the sun set and we then set off for Brixton passing the Brixton Windmill along the route, looking very atmospheric against the setting sun....In Brixton, we first explored Pop Brixton but found it a bit loud and busy, so then we ventured over to Brixton Village and found a table for six waiting for us at a tapas bar.....3 bottles of wine later (and good sampling of the tapas on offer), we heading home after a fine evening out....

Stargazer

Brockwell Park Walk

Distance: Approximately 2.4 miles/3.8 km or 3.8 miles/6.2 km

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: 18:35ish at Herne Hill Station (either the 18:21 Sutton bound train from London Blackfriars or 18:27 Orpington bound train from London Victoria should do the trick)

This short walk explores the varied terrain of Brockwell Park in Southeast London. It can be done as either a circular walk back to Herne Hill or can be extended to end in the ever vibrant Brixton with its various hostelries....

More information about the route can be found here.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Stargazer
    Sep-20

    Initially, 6 assembled just outside Herne Hill station and were met by one other from the later train...We set of in a slightly consolidated 3 and 4 formation to Brockwell Park where we encountered another for a pleasant (and more separated) jaunt around Brockwell Park with a lovely sunset casting nice colors across the mostly clear evening sky . At the relevant decision point, we opted for the Brixton ending. On the way to Brixton, we visited the refurbished operating windmill where a "bat walk" was taking place...and ultimately bumped into another...making for 9 in total. In Brixton, most attempted (some more successfully than others) to enjoy drinks at the pop-up via their ap system. An enjoyable evening out.

Thomas G
Length: 6.2 km (3.8 mi)
Ascent: 85m
Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 18.40.
From Central London , either take the 18.28 Orpington train from Victoria (18.35 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 18.37, or the Thameslink service to Sutton (18.12 St. Pancras via all stations to Blackfriars (18.21) then Elephant & Castle and Loughborough Junction), arriving 18.34.
From Outer London : either take the 18.19 train from Bromley South (via Beckenham J, arrives 18.38) or the 18.16 from Sutton to St. Alban’s City (arrives 18.41).
Return trains from Brixton: every 15 mins to Victoria or direction Orpington. There is also the Victoria Line…
This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the day).
The Alternative Ending to Brixton passes Brixton Windmill and ends at POP Brixton, a two-storey food and drink emporium full of exciting start-up businesses.
Don’t like Brixton? Finish on the Circular Walk back at Herne Hill…

For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here .
Tea: Plenty of options at POP Brixton, near the station .
  • Anonymous
    Apr-19

    My train gets into Herne Hill at 18.41, would people be able to wait 1 minute for me?

  • Thomas G
    Apr-19

    they sure will

  • Thomas G
    Apr-19

    8 walkers met at Herne Hill off the various trains, 1 other was bumped into on a traffic island 100m away, having just gotten off a bus herself. Us 9 went on along the circuitous route through the small but gorgeous Brockwell Park incl. the walled garden and - with the cafe shut for the evening - wasted no time to exit towards the red brick Tulse Hill Estate and across to Brixton (2 went back to Herne Hill station at this point, quoting other appointments). At the windmill 1 other walker was awaiting us, so 10 in total. The windmill had been refurbished last year and looked splendid, but this year it's the forecourt's turn (a cafe and an education centre are being built), so we couldn't quite get close enough to the mill. Down the hill we went through some nice residential roads (several of the group had lived in the area decades ago and some had not been back since, they were pleasantly surprised as you can imagine). We then picked up an unwanted talkative extra companion at Windrush Square, who tailed us for a while, but all 8 remaining walkers made it to POP Brixton for a drink and a wander. Some stayed on for dinner at Roe. dry and warmish

Andrew
Meet at Herne Hill station (zones 2 and 3) at 13:00

Easy, 2.4 miles

Meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London's Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a cafe since the opening of the park in 1892.

This ia an experiment to see if there is a demand for short weekend walks.

l=short.39
  • Anonymous
    Sep-18

    5 walkers. Hot and sunny weather.

  • Anonymous
    Sep-18

    5 hot and sunny

Thomas G
Length: 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Ascent: 70m
Net Walking Time: 1 hour
Meet at Herne Hill station (Railton Road side) at 19.05.
From Central London , either take the 18.45 Orpington train from Victoria (18.52 Brixton), arriving Herne Hill at 18.54, or the Thameslink service to Sutton (18.40 St. Pancras via stations to Blackfriars (18.50) then Elephant & Castle and Loughborough Junction), arriving 19.01.
From Outer London : either take the 18.24 train from Orpington (arrives 18.53) or the 18.38 from Sutton (arrives 19.01).
Return trains: 4 per hour in every direction.
This is a short meandering route through a small but well-kept urban park in Southeast London on raised ground within the valleys shaped by one of London’s Hidden Rivers, The Effra, and a couple of its tributaries. Created from the purchase of the existing private gardens of the Brockwell Hall estate and some smaller neighbouring properties, it is noted for its 19th century layout as a gracious public park, a clocktower, water garden, and walled garden, as much as for the Art Deco Brockwell Lido. Brockwell Hall has served as a café since the opening of the park in 1892 (but will be shut for the day).

For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here .
Tea: Bullfinch Brewery Tap Room Rosendale Road, SE24 9EH. Open to 22.00 hours.
Plus plenty of options near the station , see the walk directions for details.
  • author image
    Paul A
    May-18

    The train from Victoria is at 18.45.

  • Thomas G
    May-18

    a case of fat fingers, I suppose...18.45/18.54. post corrected

  • Stargazer
    May-18

    2 enjoyed some pre-walk hydration at a local tap room then joined 2 more, making a total of 4 for a relaxing stroll through Brockwell Park on a warm almost summer evening . After the walk, the group split with some dining and others heading home.