Sydenham Hill Wood And Cox’s Walk – Complete Guide & Map

Are you looking for a great way to spend a day out in nature in London? Discover the beauty of Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox‘s Walk, a 10-acre ancient woodland in South London that’s home to a diverse range of wildlife, including woodpeckers, bats and badgers. This article will take you on a journey through the wood and its surroundings, exploring its history, ecology and opportunities for recreation. We’ll give you an overview of the wildlife and nature you can expect to see, along with some top tips for a successful visit. So why not come out and explore it today?

I know how it is when we want to find some nature in London. We want to avoid the busy and overrated Hyde Park & Green Park, the so popular Richmond Park in the West or Victoria Park in the East. But where to go? On my quest to answer that question, I came across the Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox Walk. Located in South East London on the TFL network, this is the perfect location for a forest walk without leaving the city!

Logistics Of the Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Highlights of the Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

So now we covered the basics, let’s get to the walk.

Forest Hill

Our walk starts at Forest Hill station, London. When you exit the station, walk on the left and then take London Road on your right. Walk up London Road for 750 m. On your way to Sydenham Hill Wood, you pass in front of a very singularly designed building. But don’t be a fool, unlike its appearance may suggest, this is not a church, but a museum!

The building before you is housing the Horniman Museum and Gardens which opened in 1901. It replaces the Surrey House building which became too small for the collection. Frederick Horniman, the owner of the Horniman’s Tea Company, was an avid traveller who soon amassed so many objects from his trips that he opened a museum to showcase to the public. His idea was to bring the “World to Forest Hill” in order to educate people from all backgrounds. The museum still strives nowadays, welcoming around 800,000 visitors each year. The entrance to the museum and gardens is free of charge, however, some exhibitions and events are ticketed.

Continue your walk up London Road and after you walk past the museum entrance gate, turn left onto an alleyway crossing through a residential area.

Sydenham Hill Wood

You then arrive at Sydenham Hill Wood. The 10-acre forest is a fragment of what used to be the Great North Wood, stretching from Deptford to Selhurst. Sydenham Hill Wood became a sought-after location following the relocation of Crystal Palace to Forest Hill in 1854. Many large Victorian villas were established in the area. The opening in 1865 of the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway line, cutting through Sydenham Hill, increased the accessibility and popularity of the area.

However, following the destruction by fire of Crystal Palace in 1936 and the closure of the railway line some years later, Sydenham Hill declined and the villas were destroyed. In 1980, Southwark Council made a proposal for housing development on the grounds of Sydenham Hill Wood. The London Wildlife Trust were successful in its campaign to save the woods and is now managing the site to ensure the continuity of the diverse fauna and flora.

The forest in Sydenham Hill Wood is composed of 200 species of trees and plants. It is also the home of diverse wildlife from birds like woodpeckers to small mammals such as hedgehogs. Frogs and dragonflies settled in the pond whilst the old train tunnel has been converted into a bat cave.

The Folly

As you walk through the woods, you come across a structure that looks like the remains of some ancient chapel. But in fact, it is a Folly! But how did it come here?

Let’s go back in time when Crystal Palace was moved to Sydenham Hill, turning this area into the place to be. In its wake, many villas and mansions were built in the woods, with landscaped gardens going down to the train tracks of the newly open railway. The wealthy families who occupied those villas had exotic trees planted in their gardens such as cedars and Chilean pines. As a display of their wealth, they had fountains, greenhouses and … follies to decorate the green spaces.

The folly standing in front of you used to be in the garden of the villa named Fairwood whose owner, David Henry Stone, was one time Lord Mayor of London. The folly was built to represent ancient stonework. It may have been taller at the time and perhaps had a roof, but what remains is still quite impressive.

Following the loss of the Crystal Palace to a devasting fire and the Second World War, the area fell into despair. The villas were demolished one after the other. The last one, Beechgrove, was destroyed in 1984, leaving space for the forest to recolonise the land.

Cox’s Walk

As you walk towards the exit of the woods, you arrive at an oak-lined avenue leading to the gate on Lordship Lane. This is Cox’s Walk.

Designed in 1742 by Francis Cox (hence the name), Cox’s Walk extends over 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from Dulwich Common to Lordship Lane. The part on the Dulwich Common side is quite bushy as opposed to the straight line on the Lordship Lane entrance.

It goes over a former railway footbridge, which at the time of writing this article was unfortunately closed off for refurbishment.

When you arrive on Lordship Lane, walk back to Forest Hill Station. If you want to stay a bit longer in the area and make the most of your trip to Forest Hill, why not get to a pub? Head to the Honor Oak pub, 14 minutes walk from the station, for a refreshing drink and a pub meal. What else do you need?

Bon appetit!

Map of Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Do you want to do this walk? Download the GPS map for free by clicking on the download button below. Learn how to upload the GPS map on your navigation app by following my step-by-step guide here.

Final Thoughts on Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk is a special place for Londoners to behold, appreciate, and experience. The mix of nature and history in the area makes it a unique and treasured part of the city. It’s an ideal spot for dog walkers and weekend strollers alike.

We can all actively work to protect this precious area of London and ensure that it remains a safe haven for future generations. Let’s take the time to explore and care for this beautiful environment so that it can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.

And you, what is your favourite forest walk in London? Let me know in the comments below.

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