Auckland Road and Church Road, Upper Norwood, London SE19 2PY

Stambourne Woodland Walk

route · Woodland walk

Source image

5.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandUrban historicWalkers

Why it's Wildland

5.2

A short wooded link through land once occupied by the gardens of Victorian villas, opened as a walk in 1984.

A modest urban woodland walk with a specific local story: neglected villa gardens became a green link between Westow Park and South Norwood Lake. Its appeal is a brief wooded pause in Upper Norwood, rather than a destination for a long countryside outing.

Peaceful

Find your way

Open map

Auckland Road and Church Road, Upper Norwood, London SE19 2PY

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

A short, linear woodland walk in Upper Norwood. Croydon Council describes it as a wooded link between Westow Park and South Norwood Lake, with paths and seats. A third-party route listing gives a one-mile length; confirm the route and current conditions before setting out.

Things to do

Walk the wooded link

Follow the linear woodland walk between its Auckland Road and Church Road entrances. Croydon Council describes it as a wooded link between Westow Park and South Norwood Lake.

About 1 hour; a third-party route listing describes a one-mile route

Pause at a woodland seat

The council says seats were placed along the paths; stop for a short rest and take in the small woodland setting.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

Quick woodland link

01
Enter from Auckland Road or Church Road.
02
Follow the woodland path and take time to notice the contrast between the trees and the surrounding neighbourhood.
03
Use a seat along the route for a short pause.
04
Return the way you came or continue towards the adjoining green spaces only if you have checked your onward route.

Half day · Check route and allow extra time

Extend the walk towards South Norwood Lake

01
Start at one of the listed Stambourne Woodland Walk entrances.
02
Walk the wooded link and continue towards South Norwood Lake if a current map confirms the onward route.
03
Check local access and facilities before planning a longer outing.

Verified history

The land originally formed the gardens of large Victorian villas overlooking Croydon. As the buildings fell into disrepair, the gardens became overgrown. Croydon Council conceived the link project in 1962, acquired the land in stages and created paths through the woodland. The walk opened in 1984. The council records that native trees and shrubs were planted and wildflower seed was distributed.

Hidden details

A former villa landscape — The woodland occupies land that once formed the gardens of large Victorian villas. The council’s account describes the former gardens becoming overgrown as the buildings fell into disrepair.

A green link planned over decades — The project was conceived in 1962, while the finished walk opened in 1984.

When to go

· No particular time of day is verified.

The supplied sources do not identify a seasonal highlight or best visiting months.

Current path and weather conditions are not documented; check before visiting.

The route

ascent: Not verified
stiles: Not verified
surface: Not verified
distance: A third-party route listing gives 1 mile; confirm the route on a current map.
duration: About 1 hour as a suggested short visit; no official duration supplied.
difficulty: Not officially assessed
waymarking: Not verified
route shape: Linear woodland walk
start point: Entrances in Auckland Road and Church Road, Upper Norwood
parking start: Parking information not verified; check before visiting.

Wooded link between Westow Park and South Norwood Lake
Former Victorian villa gardens
Paths and seats recorded by Croydon Council

What to look for

Notice how the woodland sits among surrounding streets and developments. The council records that the land once formed the gardens of large Victorian villas and that native trees, shrubs and wildflower seed were added during the walk’s development.