6.7
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.7A large woodland landscape on the Shooters Hill ridge, with paths linking Oxleas Meadow, Shepherdleas Wood and Long Pond. A circular route through the woods takes in woodland, a brook and views reported to reach the London skyline.
Oxleas offers a substantial woodland escape within London: miles of paths, connected woods and meadow, and a circular walk that reaches a pond and open views. Its scale and variety make it more than a quick park stroll.
Peaceful · Green · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapCrown Woods Lane, London SE18 3JA
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Start from the Oxleas Wood car park near the café at Oxleas Meadow and choose a short woodland wander or the sourced circular route through Oxleas and Shepherdleas Woods. The paths can be muddy after rain; bring suitable footwear and check current café and parking details.
Things to do
Walk the Oxleas and Shepherdleas circular
Follow the sourced loop from Oxleas Meadow through Oxleas Wood, Falconwood Field and Shepherdleas Wood, passing a brook and Long Pond before returning to the start.
1–1.5 hours
Explore the self-guided woodland walks
Friends of Oxleas Woodlands provides three self-guided walks, each starting at Oxleas Café and exploring a different area. Consult its walk instructions before setting out.
Use the tree portal to identify trees
Explore the woodland through Greenwich Council’s Tree Portal, which the Friends’ site says can provide information about individual trees and their species.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A short woodland wander
- 01
Begin at Oxleas Meadow and follow a woodland path from the café area.
- 02
Choose a short out-and-back wander, returning the way you came; the supplied sources do not specify a particular short circuit.
Half day · 1–1.5 hours
Oxleas and Shepherdleas woods circular
- 01
Start at the Oxleas Wood car park near the café in Oxleas Meadow.
- 02
Follow a path into the woodland and alongside a brook.
- 03
Cross the road towards Falconwood Field, then cross another road into Shepherdleas Wood.
- 04
Continue to Long Pond and return through the woodland to Oxleas Meadow.
- 05
Consider adding Eltham Park South or Severndroog Castle only if you have time and have checked current access.
Verified history
The supplied trail source describes Oxleas Wood as part of an area of ancient woodland and says some woodland there is at least 8,000 years old. No more detailed historical account is established by the supplied sources.
Hidden details
The tree-by-tree portal — The Friends’ website points visitors to Greenwich Council’s Tree Portal, where individual trees and clumps can be selected for species and ecosystem-benefit information.
A brook and Long Pond on the loop — The Oxleas and Shepherdleas circular route passes a brook and reaches Long Pond before returning through the woodland.
When to go
· A dry morning is a sensible choice for the woodland paths; no special time-of-day wildlife or seasonal claim is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied route source describes a year-round circular walk but warns that paths may be muddy after rain. It does not establish a specific seasonal highlight.
Some paths may be muddy after rain; the supplied route source recommends waterproof shoes.
The route
- ascent
- 177 ft
- surface
- Some paths may be muddy after rain; other surface details are not established.
- distance
- 3 miles
- duration
- 1–1.5 hours
- difficulty
- Easy
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Oxleas Wood car park near the café in Oxleas Meadow
- parking start
- AllTrails places the start at the Oxleas Wood car park near the café. Friends of Oxleas Woodlands reports two free car parks accessible from Shooters Hill Road; verify current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- Use the network of paths to make a shorter out-and-back walk; the supplied sources do not specify a measured shorter alternative.
- Woodland paths
- A brook
- Falconwood Field
- Shepherdleas Wood
- Long Pond
- Views reported to reach the London skyline
Worth pairing with
Severndroog Castle
A possible extension in Castle Wood, mentioned by the supplied circular-route source. Friends of Oxleas Woodlands reports that its viewing platform is open on Sundays from March to November, weather permitting; check current access before planning a visit.
Eltham Park South
The supplied circular-route source suggests adding a meander through Eltham Park South as an extension to the woodland walk.
What to look for
- 01
Notice the change from woodland paths to open meadow
- 02
on the circular route, look for the brook, Long Pond and views towards the London skyline. The Friends’ tree portal can help identify individual trees and their species.
The story
Ancient woodland; the supplied trail source describes parts of the woodland as at least 8,000 years old.
Best time to go
All year; choose a dry spell if you want to avoid muddy paths.
A dry morning is a practical choice for walking the woodland paths. The supplied sources do not establish a distinctive seasonal peak.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Families · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Friends of Oxleas Woodlands says visitors may explore the footpaths at their leisure. The supplied Google Maps pin is for the main place, not an entrance or parking point.
Parking
Friends of Oxleas Woodlands reports two free car parks accessible from Shooters Hill Road; it also lists pay-as-you-go parking on Rochester Way and Welling Way. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Friends of Oxleas Woodlands reports public toilets at Oxleas Meadow. Check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Friends of Oxleas Woodlands lists Oxleas Cafe and Severndroog Tea Room. Check current opening details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
The source row reports dogs allowed; check current signs and restrictions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, but does not establish the accessibility of woodland paths. Check routes and conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Brook and pond; swimming or paddling permission is not established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Oxleas Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
