Greenwich Peninsula

Very warm today. Had planned to do the Erith - Woolwich walk, but really too hot for that, so went for a shorter option.

Walk: Thames Path: home - Greenwich - The Dome - Anchor & Hope, Charlton. 7 miles.


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There is still quite a lot of development work going on on the west side of the peninsula, including the housing development at Lovells Wharf just beyond the Cutty Sark Tavern. Also further towards the end at Delta wharf, where the riverside path is currently closed and there is a fairly long and unpleasantly dusty detour along Tunnel Avenue to the slipway by the Dome. Between the two, the area is still pretty derelict and decrepit, in contrast to the east side (from the Dome down to the Ecology Park and Greenwich Yacht Club) which is now quite well regenerated. On the west side the path is becoming quite neglected, and reminds me what Surrey Docks used to be like in the mid 1980s. There is a lot of wild plant growth around too, and I spotted some unusual vivid orange poppies.

The path around the north part of the peninsula is better maintained, but it is rather desolate. They have still done nothing with the area between the Dome and the river. It just seems to be used as a back lot. Such a shame.

The Dome: Had a look inside - as depressing as ever. No change from the last time. Really bland, soulless and uninspired. Watched the people going up the new walkway over the top, which was quite fun. But I wouldn't want to do that on a hot day like today, particularly in the heavy jumpsuits provided.

Cable car: The Emirates Air Line cable car opened today. There were still a few media units around by the time I got there, but it was all reasonably civilised. They had removed all the temporary buildings and hoardings that were there last week, and the station and area around are quite nice.

Continued along the Thames Path past the Ecology Park and the sand & gravel wharves to finish up at The Anchor & Hope for a welcome pint of Sharpe's Doom Bar out on the quayside.

Bus back to Greenwich and stopped-off at the Cutty Sark Tavern (pint of George Gale's Seafarers Ale) before meeting Dave at the Rose & Crown (more Doom Bar) and then dinner at La Cucina - the first time we have both been there for several months.