A Day Outdoors in Dulwich
Start your day at Belair Park; this Grade II listed landscape also includes many listed structures. There is a large duck pond which has been recently drained and refilled with raft 'bird islands' built in the lake to provide protected areas for waterfowl to nest. Belair House was built in 1785; however it was damaged in World War II and was then renovated by Southwark Council for the community. It is now used as an upmarket restaurant. The park is home to numerous species of animals including water birds and bats, and there are lovely willow trees and alder growing around the lake.
From there walk along Gallery Road, past the Dulwich Picture Gallery to Dulwich Park. This large park was created in 1890 and originally started as farmland. It is famous for its horticultural excellence and has one of the largest selections of rhododendrons and azaleas in South East London. The American garden was regularly visited by Queen Mary and silver birches have been planted there which provide an important feeding stop for migrating birds. There is a large boating lake and children's playground. Situated in the middle of the park is the Pavilion Cafe offering home baked cakes, sandwiches and fresh food all cooked on the premises.
Walk along Dulwich Common till you reach Sydenham Hill Wood Nature Reserve. The Great North Wood once ran from Deptford to Selhurst although now little remains of it. This reserve combined with nearby Dulwich Woods forms the largest remaining fragment of it. Approach from Cox's Walk which is an old avenue lined with oak trees. Inside the wood a footpath follows the old railway line and a footbridge passes over the remains of the track. There are a few duck and wildlife ponds dotted around and a ruined folly that would have once graced someone's garden.
