Wild Corners on the Western Borders

Exploring Lewisham's far South Western border, in search of wildness.
Behind some flats in the shadows, a dark path can be seen through scrub and pine trees.

It continues and starts to climb into steps upwards, away from the visibility of the road.

The trail then steadily falls into a small woodland valley; a remaining shred of the ancient Great North Wood. Remains of the Crescent Wood Tunnel start to surface through the ivy.

The Tunnel cuts into the Sydenham hill. The portal is to a long forgotten internal network eventually leaving Lewisham at its furthest south western boundary and entering Crystal Palace. 

The tunnel first opened in 1865 to facilitate a train line which ran from Nunhead to serve the great exhibition. The tunnel was design by the same architect who designed the palace; Joseph Paxton. 

A section of the line was painted in a landscape by Camille Pissarro during the days of steam.

[1954, Pic Subterranea Britannica]

After many years of struggling, the fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace also sealed the fate of the line, as it declined further and finally closed in 1954. 

For several years there was talk of the tunnel being used as part of the Bakerloo line southern extension but the plans were scrapped.

[1980, Pic Disused Stations]

The tunnels were still accessible up to the 1980’s and used by local kids until some younger local children went missing and police searched the tunnels. No children were found but the council sealed them off with heavy gates after this.

[2005 Pic Subterranea Britannica]

On approach to the Tunnel, a familiar shape can be seen through the trees. 

The stag can be seen feeding on hind legs to the left of the entrance.

[2023, Wildcornerz]




Sources: Subterranea Britannica, Disused Stations, Portals of London, 'Sydenham and Forrest Hill Through Time' - Steve Grindlay, History of the Borough of Lewisham - Duncan Leland, Lost Lines of the South - Nigel Welbourn

Raids on Lewisham Pirates [Archive]

Article from 2001

One location mentioned is Aragon tower, formally the tallest residential block in Europe. Also formally owned by Lewisham council until it was sold off to Berkeley Homes in 2006 and turned into luxury apartments. It was at an early phase of the 'gentrification' of Deptford. This is documented in the BBC series 'The Tower: A Tale of Two Cities'

Mentions Nigerian pirate; N Power and Uk Garage pirate; Silkroom FM.

A Portrait of Mr Pink [The Pink House, Lewisham]

Some of you may have seen this already but had to document it here for the archive. If you haven't, this is the beautiful short 'A Portrait of Mr Pink' by Helena Appio. Like the house itself, The film had a mythical status to me, as I had been trying to see it for years. For Lewisham residents The Pink house has been a local landmark for decades and a source of wonder and childhood myths.
The film is beautifully shot and uses the Mr Pink's own crackly recordings for a perfect natural soundtrack.
Mr Brenton Samuel Pink sadly passed away last year. Its so good that the film was made and gives us a glimpse into Mr Pink's world. For me, it has only added to the legend of the Pink House and its eccentric creative inhabitent.
The house is still there at present, standing in darkness at the top of Lonepit Vale.

Lewisham's epic Shopping Centre Mural - 1996 [B. Williams]

The incredible mural at the back of Lewisham Shopping Centre was unveiled back in 1996 but still certainly deserves a mention in Wildcornerz. Bruce Williams and Gary Phillips's stunning piece of work is vibrant education resource to passers by. 

 Among many historic scenes there are the three arms of the metropolitan boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford and the amalgamated London borough of Lewisham [featuring the white stag.]

96 - The green dragon on a post, at Sydenham Wells Park was the sign of one of Sydenham’s medicinal springs.