London to croydon route

[Ivor]

Has anyone got any recommended/favourite routes from London (docklands) down to Croydon?
I can see quote a few alternatives on google maps but don't know those roads too well.
E.g. down from greenwich to catford, cutting across to norwood then down to croydon.
or... across to towerbridge, down from elephant and castle through herne hill, tulse hill and thornton heath.

tips? ta,
Ivor

[Jon H]

If you're not in a hurry, National Cycle Network route 21 goes from Greenwich and winds it way through the parks and backroads of SE London. The nearest it gets to Croydon is around South Norwood country park and Shirley, from where a quick nip through Addiscombe gets you to Croydon.

[Ivor]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]If you're not in a hurry.

[Jon H]

In that case, Greenwich foot tunnel, then main roads through Lewisham, Catford, Sydenham, Penge, South Norwood & Selhurst to Croydon.

[mlocke]

I used to do this route when i worked in canary wharf and is largely made up of the A23

From wallington I headed down purley way towards thornton heath A23 (past croydon cemetary). I imagine this is the spot at which you would pick up the route.

From here continue on A23 past Norbury rail station.

Continue on Streatham high road past streatham common & Streatham rail station.

Hang a right continuing on A23 down Streatham high road, past Streatham hill rail station.

Continue down Brixton hill passing Brixton underground station on Brixton road

When you get to Kennington park hang a righ and continue down Kennington Park Rd passing Kennington undergrounds all the way to the Elephant & Castle


At this point you have a choice of bridges, London or Tower.

Normally i would chose London to work and Tower home as this fealt the quicker way due to traffic.


So from E&C head toward London Bridge up Borough High street.

Over the bridge and right at the end opposite House of Fraser down East Cheap (with monument on your right).

Continue down this road to the end where the is an automatic bus gate with room at the side for bikes to get through

Turn left heading to tower hill. The tower of londn will be on your right.

At the end of this road you should see Tower hill underground & / or Tower Gateway DLR station on your left.

If you had taken the tower bridge option this is where you would join the route back.

Then its down smithfield street and onto the highway where you can normally give it some good welly for a couple of miles.


When you get to the end of the highway at the traffic lights before the the limehouse link hang a left down branch road, then immediatly you should notice a path on the right which will take you ove a bridge towards narrow street.

You can then cruise along narrow street all the way to canary wharf - just look for the big buildings.

Thsi route would take me about an hour or so normally - its pretty safe as large parts have bus lanes and some parts are quite nice.

[mlocke]

Realised that look quite long so to summarise.

Wallington
Croydon
Norbury
Streatham
Brixton
Kennington
E&C
London bridge
Tower bridge
thent he highway to the wharf

[Andrew G]

Are you going home or to central Croydon? I'm guessing home.
[quote"Ivor"]down from elephant and castle through herne hill...[/quote]
If you pick that way then I come through E&C and down Walworth Rd, up Denmark Hill and then cut down Sunray Ave to Red Post Hill.

From there go straight over the lights and through Dulwich Village and up College Road. From there there's a choice of three hills which I vary using for variety. Either carry on up College Rd and up the toll road (Fountain Drive) and along Crystal Palace Parade; or go right and across (Hunts Slip Rd and then Alleyn Park) to the big roundabout, then up Dulwich Wood Park to the Parade; or same as above to the big RAB and then across to Gypsy Hill and left at the top top the Parade.

Down Anerley Hill all the way to Elmers End.

Then through the Glades (two ways through this either right and then left after the big yellow storage, or left around Elmers RAB and then right after the bridge and then first left) both bring you to the same set of lights in between West Wickham and Shirley. Straight over and then down Spout Hill and you could go home through the lanes or main road through Selsdon and Warlingham.

I can map them if you think you might go that way.

[Ivor]

[quote="Andrew G"]Are you going home or to central Croydon? I'm guessing home.

[Dombo]

Same as mlocke route. A23 to London Bridge, over the bridge then hang a right, past Tower of London and then follow main route towards Canary Wharf. Just before Limehouse cross the road, onto the pavement (bikes allowed) and nip along Narrow Street.
I tend to avoid quieter roads as they are generally narrower, have less traffic and as a result peds and drivers pay less attention.

[George]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]In that case, Greenwich foot tunnel, then main roads through Lewisham, Catford, Sydenham, Penge, South Norwood & Selhurst to Croydon.

[Hal]

Similar Except between Lewisham use A21 to Bellingham then A2015 to Beckenham Jn, A222 Elmers End on through Addiscombe . Big roads maybe a mile or so further but quite quick going.

Ta

Hal

[Jon H]

[quote="Sean Hogan"]Where is the you raise going to this time?

[quote="Ivor"][quote="Andrew G"]Are you going home or to central Croydon? I'm guessing home.