Our latest walk revisited the upper reaches of the Kyd Brook.

Last autumn, QWAG’s stroll for members and supporters toured the upper reaches of the Kyd Brook, south of Petts Wood. As we explained at the time, the choice was deliberate – with some justification it has been that QWAG was only interested in the River Quaggy once it enters the Borough of Lewisham. The fact that the Quaggy is known as the Kyd Brook in Bromley helps reinforce this view – indeed some people believe the two are separate rivers.

In spring QWAG returned to the Kyd Brook – this time following a circular route south of Chislehurst. We began on Chislehurst Common, followed the Kyd Brook through the National Trust (NT) property of Hawkwood and retuned via Petts Wood (also NT) and St Paul’s Cray Common.

For the third visit in a year, we retraced last autumn’s route as our contribition to the Bromley Walking Festival. As before, one reason was to allow people to explore a couple of natural stretches of the Kyd Brook they may have been unaware of. Also we wanted to let a new audience know about the recent exciting developments downstream.

The theme of the walk was the character of the Quaggy – how it changed along its course, from the gentle Kyd Brook in Bromley, to an unruly river that has threatened the residents of Greenwich and Lewisham for over 130 years. And how, thanks to an innovative solution proposed and championed by QWAG, that threat has now been alleviated.

Photos from the walk

Walk leader Ray Manchester delivers a health and safety talk to the assembled walkers

QWAG Chair and walk leader, Ray Manchester, delivers a health and safety talk to the assembled walkers outside Petts Wood station.

The path beside the East Branch of the Kyd Brook runs between Petts Wood and Crofton

The path beside the East Branch of the Kyd Brook runs in an almost straight line between Petts Wood and Crofton.

The stretch of the East Branch through Gumping Common is one of the most natural on the river

The short stretch of the East Branch through Gumping Common is one of the most natural on the whole River Quaggy.

At Crofton, the East Branch emerges from a culvert that buries the river almost to its source

At Crofton, the East Branch emerges from a culvert that buries the river almost to its source at Tugmutton, over a kilometre away.

After a short walk along the London Loop, the Main Branch of the Kyd Brook can be found

After a short walk along the London Loop, the Main Branch of the Kyd Brook can be found flowing in a series of natural meanders through Crofton Heath.

All too soon the Main Branch disappears in a culvert under Petts Wood

All too soon the Main Branch disappears into a culvert under Petts Wood. The confluence between the two branches is buried and the Kyd Brook does not reappear for any significant distance until it enters Hawkwood.