RIVER PECK AND EARL'S SLUICE GUIDED WALKING TOUR WITH AUTHOR PAUL TALLING

Event information

This is a long and leisurely South East London walk from Honor Oak to the old Surrey Docks in Rotherhithe via Peckham & South Bermondsey. Along the route of this lost river we pass many other interesting sites over vastly contrasting landscapes. We also cross the routes of two of South London's other lost waterways - the Grand Surrey Canal and the Croydon Canal.

The Peck, a tributary of The Earl's Sluice, rose on One Tree Hill, Honor Oak and drained into the Sluice near South Bermondsey railway station. The Sluice then drained eastwards into the Thames on the Rotherhithe/Deptford border.

In 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked by an oak tree at the summit of Honor Oak Hill. The tree came to be known as the Oak of Honor. This tree is near the highest source of the Peck. The name Peckham is of Saxon descent, meaning 'the village of the River Peck'. The only remaining above-ground section of the River Peck (or at least tributary rivulets of the said river) is in Peckham Rye. It was here in 1767 that poet William Blake had his vision of a tree filled with angels, bright angelic wings bespangling every bough like stars."

The main part of The Peck was enclosed as the Earl Main Sewer in 1820-3, but the section nearest to the Old Kent Road remained open until the 1830s.

As well as lost waterways there are many other things to talk about including clues as to the existence of the long gone New Cross Speedway stadium, see the long defunct Southwark Park station closed in 1915, remains of a Great War (anti-Zeppelin) gun emplacement plus as usual, the odd bit of dereliction.

The walk is approx 6 miles long and will take (v roughly) 5 hours as there are many things to talk about on the way. There will be a refreshment break along the way and the opportunity for drinks in a pub at the end. Decent footwear is recommended as parts are quite hilly and muddy. The tour ends approx a 15-min walk from Surrey Quays Station (London Overground). Prewalk cafe tip: The Oak Cafe, 48 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY.

Please note that this walk is wholly above ground and there will be no subterranean trips down to the sewers! Dogs are welcome.

By purchasing a ticket for a walk, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

* Although public liability insurance is held, the organiser shall not be held responsible for accidents, injury, loss or damage to persons or property as a consequence of participation in Paul Talling's walks. Ticket holders are responsible for their own safety while taking part in a walk. The guide is responsible for showing ticket holders sites of interest, but not to steward ticket holders across roads etc.

* The tour goes ahead regardless of the weather. No refunds due to inclement weather are given.

* The walk will depart promptly at the advertised time & will not wait for late-comers. If a ticket holder misses the walk no refund will be given. You are strongly urged to check TFL for weekend engineering works that may affect your journey

* Once a ticket has been purchased, the agency is unable to offer a refund or swap dates.