Hayes Circular walk

A short walk across three commons in South East London

Length 9.5 km (6 m)

Toughness 1 out of 10

his short walk crosses three commons which have been used for hundreds of years as a source of wood as evidenced by the many coppiced trees. Today coppicing is still practised, but the mix of woodlands also provides habitats for a variety of animals. The walk follows in part the River Ravensbourne, which fills the three Keston ponds straight from its source and flows into the Thames at Deptford as Depthford Creek. Charles Darwin, who lived nearby in the village of Downe, carried out parts of his research on Keston Common. On the way, you get a glimpse of Ravensbourne Lodge, previously owned by the Bonham-Carter family. The most ancient remains encountered on this walk are from the Iron Age, around 200BC. The walk was inspired by the marked Three Commons Circular Walk and broadly but not exactly follows it.

The walk crosses several roads, some of them quite busy. Cross them with care !

© Club Hiking in London. Ltd (CASC) in collaboration with Saturday Walkers Club.

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