A Ladywell Walk
Route & what to see
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london-footprints.co.uk |
A circular walk from Ladywell Station including the Waterlink Way, Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery and Hilly Fields. The distance is 3.5 miles plus the cemetery circuit.
On exiting the station go up
to Ladywell Road and turn right
The premises of an adhesives company are in Art Deco style. The
bridge over the railway marks the site of the Holy Well or Well
of Our Lady. This was in existance in 1472 and ran dry in 1855.
St Mary's Centre was built in 1891 and extended in 1988. The
former Ladywell Baths were opened in 1884. The houses opposite
date to 1857 when Ladywell Station was built. The Coroner's Court
was constructed in 1894 and the former police station in 1899. On
the opposite corner Ladywell House was the former vicarage built
in 1693 for Dean George Stanhope. It was extended in 1881 and
1895 and has a fine garden. It was converted to office use in
1981.
Right into the High Street
The former fire station was built in 1898 and used until 1968.
The Hire Shop premises opposite include a building of 1791, next
door is a house of 1876 then HE Olby occupy a building from the
1930s. The shops adjacent were originally houses of c1700. St
Mary's School includes the original National School of 1833 and
extensions of 1860 including a teacher's house. The parish church
of St Mary the Virgin was rebuilt in 1777 by George Gibson
retaining the late 15th century tower to which another storey was
added. The chancel was added by Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1881.
From the church take the
path into Ladywell Fields.
These former water meadows were purchased in 1889 to serve as a
public park. They have been re-landscaped to incorporate the
River Ravensbourne in a more natural setting.
Follow the riverside path
(Waterlink Way) to the left. A footbridge to the left leads to
the buildings of University Hospital Lewisham.
This began as a workhouse in 1817 which was extended in the
1880s. An infirmary was built to the north in 1894 for inmates
and others. In 1915 the buildings united as Lewisham Military
Hospital and the wall that had separated them was demolished in
1918. Some parts still served as a workhouse until 1929.
Return to and continue along
the path. Use the footbridge to cross the railway then continue
with the river to your right. The path goes under another railway
and over the river. Leave the riverside path and go along the
edge of the field. Go right at Ewhurst Road and right along
Manwood Road. At the end cross Brockley Grove into Marnock Road.
Crofton Park Station was opened in 1892.
Right into Brockley Road
The library was opened in 1905. The Rivoli Ballroom opposite was
originally a cinema, built in 1913 and extended in 1924.
Enter Brockley &
Ladywell Cemetery at the corner of Ivy Road
This was originally two cemeteries both opened in 1858, Deptford
now Brockley and Lewisham, now Ladywell. The dividing wall
between them has been removed. There are many tombs of interest
and it is a haven for wildlife.
When you have explored the
area exit by the same gate and continue along Brockley Road.
Right into Adelaide Avenue.
The houses of St Margaret's Square on the right were built around
1886.
At the junction with
Montague Avenue take the path across Hilly Fields
This became a park in 1896 to save the area from development.
There is an area of managed meadow to the right. The school had
been built in 1885 and has since been extended.
Continue between the
playground and the tennis courts
The elevated position gives fine views. A stone circle which acts
as a sundial was constructed for the Millennium.
Leave the park by the path
that leads to Vicars Hill (signposted Ladywell). Go right down
Vicars Hill then right along Gillian Street. Cross Ladywell Road
into Slagrove Place.
Here are the remains of the workhouse opened by Bermondsey (St
Olaves) Union in 1900. These include the gateway, porter's lodge
and stable block. The Slagrove estate of 1995 replaced the
nursery block. Further along are part of the central
administration block (now Ladywell Centre) and a water tower.
Return and go right at
Ladywell Road
Numbers 74, 76 & 78 date to the 1830s. The Ladywell Tavern
was built c1846 and altered c1895.
Resources
Discover Deptford & Lewisham by Darrell Spurgeon
Bermondsey Workhouse information http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/StOlave/StOlave.shtml
Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery Nature Trail
© london-footprints.co.uk 2008