The sun shone on QWAG’s Spring Walk and Social this year – a welcome return to normality after last year’s remarkable tour of Ladywell Fields in the snow!

The walkers headed northwards from Petts Wood station, first glimpsing the Kyd Brook where it’s concrete channel is bridged by one of the leafy suburban streets. Just downstream the brook disappears into a culvert, into which it was diverted when the railway was constructed.

Having crossed under the railway the walk followed the London Loop footpath through the ancient woodlands of Petts Wood, before rejoining the brook, shortly after crossing into the Hawkwood estate. The natural banks here are full of spring flowers and there is a rural atmosphere to the place that belies it’s proximity to central London.

After leaving Hawkwood the Kyd Brook is channelised, then disappears into a culvert back under the railway and can next be seen again flowing along the back of a pub garden near Chislehiurst station The walk ended here but the socialising continued over a well-earned drink.

Photos from the walk

The first glimpse of the Kyd Brook

The group discusses ancient woodland flora

The Kyd Brook emerges into the Hawkswood estate

The walk follows the London loop footpath

The estate includes a working farm

Leaving Hawkwood the walkers pause on a bridge

The Kyd brook disappears into a culvert