Thames Path walk guest post 4: Greenwich, Deptford, Rotherhithe and beyond

Here’s part 4 of a series of guest posts from Paul Billington. Part one can be seen here, part two here and part 3 here. Enjoy! And thanks to Paul for this look into an ever-changing riverside walk.

After heading past the wonderful Royal Naval College and the restaurants by Greenwich Pier – including the old Frankie & Benny’s which still remains vacant – no great loss, had a really dreadful time there once, then the Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, you approach the New Capital Quay development.

In previous years many commercial units were vacant. Some change this year with a solicitors and the PEF in place. However, it is a development that has been flagged as having dangerous cladding. It appears that works are finally starting to take place, judging by the removal on one such building, with it possibly starting on Dreadnought Walk.

As you head past New Capital Quay over the bridge at Deptford Creek, notice the impressively long but now rotting away jetty alongside Glaisher Street and the wonderfully named “Ahoy Boating Club”, a milestone. You are now approaching the first road to which you have to technically cross along the Thames Path, all the way from Woolwich.

For when you enter Borthwick Street, at the bottom of the road you will come across a nice piece of street art on a set of double metal doors. You need to cross over to Watergate St to keep onto the side of the Thames Path. Ok. It’s a very small crossing, but it counts, by heaven’s it does….

Last year, I was disappointed that the lovely Twinkle Park situated on the corner of Watergate Street and Borthwick Street was closed off for works to restore the pond feature. It is leased by the Twinkle Park Trust – as well as Charlotte Turner Gardens next door – from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Well, what a job the trust and Veolia Environmental Trust have done…