South Norwood Country Park

Distance: Aprox 2 1/4 Miles

On a warm but threatening to rain day our walk started from Elmers End Station, as we joined the walk part way round we had to orientate ourselves first. Once we had done that we headed along to the northern end of the park along footpaths passing the man made lake which is a haven for wildlife with up to a 100 different species of birds although all we saw on the water was moor hens and Canada geese but we are no twitchers! We left the park to walk along the road to the entrance of the cemetery (there was slight confusion as the entrance didn't quite match up with what was on the map!) the walk took us through the cemetery where if any cricketers are interested W.G.Grace is buried but we didn't manage to find it although we didn't look too hard, however there are some interesting parts to the older section where the grave stones are twisting and turning in different directions from tree roots and movement in the ground!

We left the cemertry at the far end and after crossing the tram line twice re-entered the park and walked to the visitor centre which was closed (open to the public at the weekends for two hours each day). After a short walk alongside the tram line we headed up to the top of a mound which is made up from rubble from the blitz. From the mound there is a good view of Crystal Palace and Croydon. We then dropped down the side of the mound to follow the path to return back to Elmers End Station.

This was an easy afternoon stroll trough an inner city country park which has an interesting history from being a moated manor to at one point being a sewage farm it was a different type of walk but worth while if you want to burn off Sunday lunch! Sorry no photos of this one as I forgot my camera!


Walked following route in 'AA 1001 Walks in Britain'
My rating - OK