The second section of the London LOOP is 13 km, starts at Bexley station and finishes at Petts Wood station. This section picks up the path along the river Cray and crosses the open spaces of Old Bexley Conservation Area and Foots Cray Meadows, the pretty grounds of Sidcup Place, and the woodlands of Scadbury Park. The waymarking on this route is generally good, so you could probably walk this section relying on those alone. However, I carried this guidebook by Colin Saunders to find my way.
This varied section of the London LOOP is one of my favourite sections. From the trainstation make your way to the High Street, turn right and almost immediately right again into Tanyard Lane to pass underneath the railway line and past sportsfields. Follow the waymarking and the river Cray accross Foots Cray Meadows.
After leaving the residential area of Foots Cray you will reach the grounds of Sidcup Place, which is an excellent spot for a picknick, especially near to the manor house, where you have excellent views towards the northwest across the Cray Valley.
Next, a great wooded section follows through Scadbury Park and Petts Wood. After crossing a series of railway lines you reach the edge of Jubilee Country Park from where you can follow the LOOP link signs to Petts Wood station, where this section of the London LOOP ends.
Add the map below to your Google Maps account (click on the star) or download the GPX file via OpenStreetMaps and let’s get outside!
Get Outside 