Woolwich to Thamesmead via Lesnes Abbey - Green Chain Walk (4K)

[@robertmarlow255]

Blimey, this took me to my teenage years. I lived at Plumstead common and went to school in Woolwich; explored that whole area before Thamesmead was built both on foot and by bike; my best mate did his carpentry apprenticeship at the building of Thamesmead; played Sunday football on Winns Common ... too much to mention! Thanks for the memories.

[@ThePORTYDAVE]

I've become addicted to these films. Nice way to spend a lockdown day and save me going up the wall! Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Davie - great to hear you're enjoying the films

[@traceyrey10]

Watching this video brought back many memories for me after living in Woolwich thru to my Nan, Grandad & Aunt living up on The Common. Many many years walking to & from. Thn finding my Dad aft a few lost years living along the sewer pipe in SE2. To thn meeting my husband moving to Thamesmead & bringing our family into the world, to our Wedding & living alongside the Thamespath spending many nights walking along the last part of your walk up in Thamesmead Thank You for the journey back into my life basically Amazing

[@mozdickson]

"Never take these things for granted. People fought to keep these as 'common land', for us to enjoy all these years later." John Rogers 💪💪💪🇬🇧

[@davidnash41]

Thank you so much John. I enjoyed every second of your video. I was born and lived in Plumstead for the first 25 years of my life and it has brought back so many memories. I now live in Peru.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

First of your videos I've watched and as I lived on Thamesmead from when the Tramsheds were still standing in the 70's and derelict to now living off of Wickham lane where the old bus terminus stood, now replaced with Wickes and picturing all of the roads and greenery that you've walked, I've found this really fascinating. I have actually walked a lot of this route over the years rather than take the bus and watching this today has made me realise how much I'm missing out on, as chemo gave me heart failure hence a 15 minute slow walk each day is about my limit, BUT I'd really love to be able to follow in your footsteps... I guess I'll just have to get the enjoyment from following your excellent videos instead, so thanks millions for some great memories as well as brilliant history knowledge.

[@danielboulton98]

I live up the hill from Woolwich and use the Green chain walks often they're great

[@Mouxbar]

Just bought your book John. Looking forward to a few weeks of work lunchtime reading stumbling through the edge-lands.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

brilliant Mouxbar, really hope you enjoy the book

[@robertbarling5601]

Yet again a wonderful video. I had a chuckle about the offering to the sock god. Regarding the green box with the yellow padlock near the beginning of the video, I can tell you that it is a fire brigade padlock. I work in hospital maintenance and we have a lot of fire brigade padlocks there, so I have a key for that, Maybe it is for a water supply in case of fire. My daughter always laughs at me because I am always saying I have a key for that. Bob.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

brilliant, thanks for that info Robert

[@kelphiuspolluxeldanimus6426]

Ive been in that wood, its a very magical place, gloomy and beautiful at the same time.

[@leemason8953]

thank you for video upload, as a child I lived in Thamesmead and visited the ruins often, by walking from Thamesmead to the abbey and up through the woods as a child it seemed the day was so long then and could go on forever..

[@billbarden5442]

Hi Lee You hit the nail right on the head with the phrase " the day was so long then and could go on for ever " This is exactly how I remember days as a little boy at Lesnes Abbey with my Grandad. I was born in 1961 and grew up in North Woolwich. Before I went to school or nursery, he would take me out. Sometimes just up the park in North woolwich. But if it wasnt raining, we would get the ferry over to Woolwich South and then get a bus to Lesnes Abbey. It was always a brilliant day. He would bring a packed lunch with lovely sandwiches made by my granny , and her fairy cakes and always loads of chocolate and orange squash. He would let me climb on the ruins. When I got to the top I felt like I was King on my Castle - I didnt care it was all ruins . Like you said - the day could go on for ever and at Lesnes Abbey - it did ! Strange how our time perception changes. Days are still the same length yet now ( I am 58 ) a month can pass in a blink of an eye. What I wouldnt give to be a kid again - just for 5 mins Very Best Chris

[@alanbstard4]

lovely

[@redfordgrange3507]

Watching your videos from China never fails to make me feel homesick, but it’s a good feeling. Thanks for them and keep it up!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Redford, love the idea of the videos being watched in China

[@mariana4059]

Wonderful to see the James I mulberry tree on your walk! I have just this morning been reading about his role in the silk production business in WG Sebald's book (Rings of Saturn). And then this afternoon I open Rodinski's Room which I finally got from our local library and read about the Huguenot silk weavers. I just love synchronicity ...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

wonderful connections Mariana and the Rings of Saturn such a brilliant book. In further synchronicity I've literally just been talking to a friend about filming a Sebald walk from Austerlitz - hopefully soon

[@mariana4059]

Oh, wonderful- I am looking forward to that one!

[@timbuthfer901]

Lovely walk John. I went to the crossness sewage plant open day a few years ago. Some enthusiasts have the original Victorian steam engine pump still working, an impressive sight. Also lots of Joseph Bazelgette paraphernalia. Always good to squeeze in some Erik Satie. I saw you walking up nightingale Lane a few days ago, was about to yell out your name but stopped at the last minute, didn't want to appear disrespectful 😀

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Tim - ah, that was a lovely stroll round the Wanstead lanes, please do say hello next time. Funnily enough I found the photos I took in Crossness in 2014 today when going through an old hard-drive. We recorded a podcast before the place opened but I never edited it - must do that one day

[@wayneclement7201]

Crossness is beautfiul! I hope you've been back

[@johnslater2424]

Grew up in this area and spent most of my youth in Bostall woods. Thamesmead is built on the marshes over the sewer bank when I was very young. In them days the whole area was owned by the artillery and used as a tank range. You missed one important part of Bostall woods, which was Dick Turpins caves in the co-OP woods. These caves went underground all the way to Chislehurst caves in Kent through Sidcup. Loved the video.

[@dianastevenson131]

Wow - I didn't know that. Used to go to Chislehurst Caves a lot as a child but I don't think they told us this!

[@leophillips1531]

I live in Plumstead great to see you’ve gone over my local area in such detail. Thanks John epic video as always. 👊🏽🔥👊🏽

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Leo, such a great area to explore

[@leophillips1531]

John Rogers 👍👊🏽👍

[@davew1234]

Great job, that pretty much covers the first 40 years of my life!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

fantastic territory Drew

[@RodRyan-tc6cs]

First time I've heard it called Lenay Abbey, always called it Lesnes Abbey. Abbey Wood my old home town lived seconds away from Bostall Woods in the early 50's, loved it. Thanks for this.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I came across that pronunciation when I was writing my book This Other London. Oddly the wood is spelt differently- Lessness

[@darrenscaysbrook6038]

Therapeutic and interesting as always. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Darren, very glad the therapeutic element comes across

[@TheAmber52]

I grew up in Abbey Wood in the 50s and 60s Lesnes Abbey was our go to place to hang out, great video brought back happy memories as a child playing in Bostall Woods and horse riding up Shooters Hill.

[@lstedall]

As ever John I love watching your videos and look forward to each and every one of them. But the best thing is that during your latest video you included part of you audio book, This other London which i never knew was available on audio books. I have now download from Amazon. Well done John Take care Christopher

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That's brilliant Christopher - hope you enjoy the audiobook, it was quite hard work reading it all in 3 days straight but a great experience

[@Rebecca236]

I live here and have just discovered these walks over lockdown. You videos are beautiful, thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks SH glad you're enjoying them

[@sineadbales2801]

I don't think I've ever been so invested in someone walking via video but this was extremely useful and you kept us captivated. I am looking at living near birchmere lake so this was great for me to see all surrounding areas. Very green and beautiful :) Thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Great to hear Sinead, thanks- it’s a great area

[@peterwalton1502]

Enjoyed another good walk with you John👏

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for coming along Peter

[@grahamwood333]

Greenwich Park has Anglo saxon graves close to Rangers Lodge

[@rosswebster7877]

Fantastic welcoming of the Summer John! Funny, even though Lesnes Abbey is mostly a ruin something about it feels grander than Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s. Also, only your videos can make a neighborhood from A Clockwork Orange feel warm and inviting.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Ross. I agree, you're right even in its ruined state it exudes a certain majesty

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Just enjoyed the video for a second time, but this time after reading the chapter of your book. Wonderful!

[@Mattriver7]

Thanks John, another great video and a really good walk. I used to have a girlfriend from Thamesmead back in the early 1990's, this video has actually made me think more fondly of it, and her too....

[@marieelena]

Such a beautiful ,sunny day there in London...its raining here in South Florida today!...didnt know you had a book,must search for it on amazon.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks marie - it was indeed a glorious day, still the best we've had so far. Hope the weather's improving in South Florida

[@marieelena]

your welcome,take care.

[@garypettengell6816]

Great stuff as always.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Gary

[@dianastevenson131]

Thanks for the wonderful video. My dad grew up in East Ham in the 1930s and as a boy used to go across on the free ferry with a friend and go to play in Lesnes Abbey. Then he took me there as a kid in the 60s. He pronounced Lesnes Abbey the English way though. I'll search for your book - it looks great!

[@marlenejordan1696]

Beautiful walk, thank you for sharing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Marlene

[@peterwilliamson2342]

Great walk thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for watching Peter

[@JagBetty]

So much great stuff in this video John. Fantastic.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Jag - hope you're well

[@richardpicking4459]

Hi John I had never heard of Lesnes Abbey until watching this great video. Must take trip there in the next few weeks. You mentioned Richard De Luci who was one of the first high sheriffs of Essex and built Ongar Castle just up the road from me. Clearly an influential chap in his time.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

it's a fantastic location Richard. Thanks for the info about de Luci - I still haven't been to Ongar castle, been on the list for a while

[@richardpicking4459]

@@JohnRogersWalks Go in the winter to see the remains John as visibility is far better. In summer the undergrowth is too thick to see the moat and mound. The Cock Tavern is only fifty yards away and has some great guest ales. Let me know if your coming to town - love to buy you a pint as a thanks for all the entertainment. Lastly, I have messaged you a picture of Fillebrook Road to go with your next trip. Its from the days when it had houses on both sides but a bit different as it was taken from the top of a telephone pole.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Richard - I nearly got there one New Years Day but misjudged the distance and got lost in the dark. Nearly did the walk the other week but perhaps I'll wait till winter then

[@stevenspraggs4953]

briliant thanks john top work mate

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Steven

[@briancox144]

Just goes to show what’s on our Door step what a wonderful Abbey ruins I must visit there ancient ruins really excite me and old churches something about them that attracts me I love history I’ve visited many castles and churches around the uk and Spain and Turkey Greece anyway John beautiful video mate

[@Briansmile66]

I really enjoyed this video John, one of your best yet. I’ve never been to Woolwich or Thamesmead yet and as I’m down in London next month I might recreate your walk. Thanks very much and keep up the great work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Philip, it's a great walk, highly recommended

[@tomaswest6541]

Great walk and really jealous of the weather

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Tomas

[@lesliegprice6652]

Thank you so much John, what an amazing, beautiful, empowering,uplifting walk, nice to share it with you,sadly in the West country summer seems to be postponed at the moment by rain, wind and cold, El Ninio I guess...cheers

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for coming along Leslie. To be honest the weather took a nosedive here as well for a couple of weeks but seems to be returning

[@johncubbidge2237]

Your walk took me back to the First 24 years of my life John, but I knew little of the history. I did know Dick Turpin's connection to the area, and as a kid would go into the woods directly behind LesNes Abbey and find fossilized Sharks Teeth in the sand. Even then it was dangerous and fenced off as there are sinkholes all through the woods, but now living in Australia, I remember the masses of bluebells in those woods followed by native daffodils. Thanks for enriching my nostalgia for home with your well researched walks John.

[@williams5985]

I grew up playing in Bostal wood in the 70s, they had a Band Stand by the Bowling Green I think every Sunday a Band would play.

[@TheAmber52]

Yes I remember that bandstand back in the sixties another of my hang outs, such memories.

[@dai19721]

thank you buddy. liking that app at end how it shows you were you walked cheers.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks David

[@paulbillingham4594]

Hi John The green padlocked box looks like an electrical box probably linked to nearby street lighting. Newer ones are sheet steel and grey. The LEB area still has some quite antique sub stations and stuff like this

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks for that info Paul

[@davidfarrell7373]

Brilliant

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks David

[@dambrooks7578]

Shooters Hill is a tasty hill in typically short, sharp and steep incline that not only arrives out onto Ha Ha Lane, I hated working on the Royal Military Academy conversion. I did like that one of the oldest cricket pitches was there, disused now though...

[@jeanstride3725]

Lovely walk and views. Thanks for the heads up about the Walthamstow walks (just booked one)... I use Map My Walk, it seems to overestimate distance, but that may be me wobbling from side to side... but a good way of recording a track. I walk with headphones on listening to the radio, and it interrupts at various mile markers which I like and gives me my pace.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jean - look forward to meeting you on one of the walks

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Thanks again John. Can I just say, would the 1 disliker to this video, please stand up and explain yourself !!!!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks very much Little Acorns

[@chrisrooney2113]

you should look at the military history for thamesmead you would find it very intesting

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for the tip Chris

[@carolwaugh5466]

I lived, when young, very close to Lesnes Abbey Woods. Back in the 1960s it was pronounced Less Ness. So, has it changed since the 1960s?

[@TheAmber52]

We always called it Less Ness, that was in the sixties.

[@davidbeavan9521]

I grow up there played all over the woods the Abbey was different then up on botel heath climbing trees late 40 in the 50s worked for the electricity board put the power on Thames mead flats

[@peterspindley5965]

Great vid, I've just bought your book and I'd actually skipped some of the chapters in your book - looking more at places I know well first. This vid reminds me that I ought to go back, read, and then walk them myself. Couldn't help but laugh though when you said about 3 mins in that it's going to be a great summer...it's done nothing but rain since :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I'd do exactly the same thing Peter. I know, I jinxed summer

[@o8b74z]

Has alway been pronounced less ness. Lovely walk, lovely vid

[@TimothyHalkowski]

The abbey ruins are amazing.

[@MattFarthing]

I am so glad I stumbled across your channel! I recently moved to Gallion's Reach (south side of the river) and have been exploring a lot of the Thames Path - I'll definitely be heading to the abbey next! I wonder, on your loop back towards Woolwich Arsenal along the Thames Path (right past the end of my road!) did you have a chance to take a gander at Gallion's Hill? I strongly recommend it if not!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for that Matt - I don't think I've been there - certainly not on this walk and seem to have passed it by on previous walks too

[@EdLeslie-h4w]

There are caves under Plumbstead Common that where used by the military to fire at German aircraft using the Thames to guide them to London and also for safety of museum artifacts.

[@dimitridynasty3190]

you should walk at hainaut forest county park

[@bigguy64]

This walk's a feather in your cap John (I'll see myself out)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

ha, glad someone noticed

[@lordcharles7592]

The Canals you mentioned were there before the houses. Its all part of the the Woolwich arsenal. The canals were for transporting munitions around and to isolate the powder houses in case of fire. When testing the 15 inch guns that were made there they fired them across the river to Dagenham. convicts to Australia were gathered on prison hulks on the point and were made to file down cannon balls while awaiting transportation the rejects were used as tallest on the ships the word POME comes from there and is Point of migration is East (East of London) not the more popular Prisoner of Mother England

[@StarWarsJay]

Hi John. Great video as always. Quick question: do you ever get recognized on your walks?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Jason- I very occasionally get recognised while out on a walk - more often in the street or pub, and sometimes on the tube, always nice to meet people who watch the videos

[@StarWarsJay]

@@JohnRogersWalks Here's another one: Have you ever found anything interesting while walking?

[@michaelhall2138]

I did a similar walk but went through Marian Park,I remember and hasn’t Boxall wood have a Cafe on a hill?Also Castle Drago,the folly along this route?

[@marybeck5236]

What a great walk! This seemed to have a little of everything. How did the map from the app turn out?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Mary - I put the map at the end of the video with the credits, but it only shows a macro view of the route, not a street-by-street route

[@sharonbw]

Lovely to watch this, but the pronunciation is definitely Less Ness

[@doncooper6801]

The pronunciation by locals is/was less ness. It's not French.

[@victorsorokin9070]

Socks offering looks a bit like Ears offering on the Treats path from Witcher 3.

[@Richardsrailway]

I believe the green box with the padlock had something to do with the London county council tramways possibly ?

[@fuzedj5442]

do you know exactly where that padlocked thing was, i have a key for that, its FB14 key used by the fire brigade, i will go check it out for you and post a video up, i want to take my daughter over south london to show her parts of london

[@JohnRogersWalks]

ah, I never considered that - it's just near the Woolwich end of Plumstead Common not far from the tennis courts

[@fuzedj5442]

I have a set of fb keys they are always handy to get through locked gates etc , you can buy them from key cutting shops for a couple of quid each, there are a few different types of fb keys, fb1, fb2, fb4, fb11, fb14 and fbw

[@fuzedj5442]

I have a set of fb keys they are always handy to get through locked gates etc , you can buy them from key cutting shops for a couple of quid each, there are a few different types of fb keys, fb1, fb2, fb4, fb11, fb14 and fbw

[@mozdickson]

My guess is it houses electrical circuit breakers for the street/path lights. Not sure how I feel about someone larking about with a bunch of keys opening things.

[@davidcollins5763]

they have done a lot of work on southmere lake is is so much nicer now you should walk through all of thamesmeads many canals there are so many beautiful places by the canals

[@cgj3888]

Easy going and pleasurable great day trip 👍🇬🇧SMILES

[@tomwright4969]

Fantastic video John, been round thamesmead twice myself. As much as the thamesmead tower blocks are quite creepy and primitive. I'd hate to see them be turned into more luxury flats as is happening with most of London now.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Yes it would be a shame, I've a feeling that the private development is on a different site nearby and is being used partly to fund the regeneration of the tower blocks, that was what I've been told but I haven't looked into it yet

[@tomwright4969]

@@JohnRogersWalks I'd like to think so, as this supposed "regeneration" happening everywhere in London (and England tbh) is very sad to witness. Touch wood it doesn't cause gentrification anyway, but it's likely judging from the popularity of nearby Abbey Wood and expansion of the Overground.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

yes I think Cross Rail may be involved

[@timballard27]

As a local I found your pronunciation of Lesnay quite confusing. As far as I know it's pronounced Les Ness but otherwise very informative. Southmere Lake at Thamesmead has been prettyfied and the amount of green space may surprise some people. And nearby Crossness Nature Reserve can be relied upon to throw up the occasional rare bird. My local place, much loved.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I wish I could remember where I got it from Tim - but I read something that pointed out the difference between the pronunciation and spelling of the abbey - Les Nes (from the Norman French) - and the wood - Lessness. I think it was an old text.

[@timballard27]

@@JohnRogersWalks Lesnes Abbey /ˈlɛsnɪs/ is a former abbey, now ruined, in Abbey Wood, in the London Borough of Bexley, southeast London, England. It is a scheduled monument,[1] and the abbey's ruins are listed at Grade II[2] by Historic England. The adjacent Lesnes Abbey Woods are a Local Nature Reserve.[3] Part of the wood is the Abbey Wood SSSI, a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest which is an important site for early Tertiary fossils.[4] Cheers John. In my post Xmas state of lethargy I forewent a days birding and am currently watching this excellent video once again. Looking forward to your 2025 posts.

[@charliepearton9596]

Love walking? Walk the Camino frances.

[@Rebecca236]

Haha I now know how to pronounce Lesnes Abbey! 🤣

[@dianastevenson131]

My mum and dad called it Lesnes Abbey the English way - never occured to me to pronounce it differently!

[@doncooper6801]

Less Ness

[@sharonbw]

It's definitely not pronounced like this though - I've lived here my whole life: it's 'Less Ness', I promise you 🙂

[@carolwaugh5466]

It’s pronounced, or used to be, ‘less ness’. I lived in Abbey Woods in the 60s.

[@amarshmuseconcepta6197]

✌✊

[@JamesHawkeYouTube]

Government: "NO playing on the ancient ruin! You may ruin it!" :)

[@leeradford76]

I had a nan that was born Plumstead

[@EdLeslie-h4w]

Off Bostal Heath is a house that had a problem with it's phones. As a telephone engineer I had to go there. The worse place I have ever been to. Why? The room where the phone problem was..... Was full of glass tanks with SNAKES IN THEM THAT WAS USED TO EXTRACT THEIR POISON. Having a snake hit the glass trying to bite you was not fun.....

[@damonkfist]

We must appease the Sock Gods.

[@wenjewelchatterbox1127]

Kids playing football and using ancient ruins as a climbing frame.

[@GreyGhost.]

The ultimate indication of oppression on the sign .. ' Only 4 dogs per walker'. Otherwise fine upload. Many thanks for sharing.

[@michaelpearson4896]

You need to learn how to pronounce the name of the Abbey as it is nothing like the way you are saying it. Do your homework.

[@skawashers]

I live in that area for over 20 years and i know nothing about it or the walks. Mainly because of the feral gangs that run riot. If You look lost or out of your area/. You`ll be an easy target

[@stevenweasel2678]

AT0.36 TIME/ JUST WANT TO SAY WELL DONE ON MAKING A RECORD OF THAT GEORGIAN PROPERTY/ WHAT A SHAME IT WAS ALLOWED TO BECOME SO DILLAPIDATED/ ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD A GRADE 2 OR 3 ENGLISH HERITAGE LISTING. BUT OF COURSE THAT WOULD HAVE UPSET THE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS, THough i believe even grade 2 is no gurantee against demolition