NUNHEAD - GREENWICH PARK

(1871 - 1917)

The LCD opened this line in 1871 with stations at Nunhead, Brockley Lane, Lewisham Road, and Blackheath Hill.
Greenwich Park wasn't actually reached until 1888.

Declining passenger numbers caused its closure in 1917 although the section from Nunhead to a point just east of Lewisham Road station was reopened to provide the SE with an alternative route into central London. To facilitate that, a connection was made with the SE railway north of their station at Lewisham.

For a 1930s map still showing the line and its stations (Lewisham Road station is visible but not named), click here.

The route of the railway is very difficult to pick out on modern maps, however the National Library of Scotland have provided an excellent facility for comparing old maps with modern maps (and including an aerial view). Click here for the railway detailed below, starting at Lewisham Road station.

 

 

 

 

There are very few clues to indicate the existence of the line at street level but one of the subtle pointers are the gaps in the rows of old houses, now filled with more modern developments. Or, as in this case, the railway cutting filled in and replaced by a line of allotments.
Looking north-west from Prior Street.

 (photo: Jan 2003)

 

 

 

 

 

Virtually identical view of the Prior Street allotments as above but showing the railway wall on the left.

(photo: Aug 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circus Street looking back toward the Blackheath/Lewisham direction. The building directly in front comprises of two houses that on first inspection look as if they were built at the same time as the houses on the rest of the street. However, they are much newer (1996 or so) and were built on the route of the filled-in line. The line used to pass underneath the street.

(photo: Aug 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

Facing the other way at an original railway wall on Circus Street. The wall shows evidence of rebuilding to allow for the provision of a gate in the centre, yet some of the original bricks still survive.

(photo: Aug 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

The same wall in Apr 2024.
Some new residential units have been built on the site but amazingly, some parts of the parapet wall still survive: the left hand section is largely intact, which is perhaps surprising because it 'leans' a little, however only the pier remains of the right hand side.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking over the wall once revealed a further in-filled part of the line. This small section continues up to Royal Hill. Part of the original retaining wall can still be seen on the right.
Following the course of the line, the office building in the centre of the photo is on Burney St, at the junction with Royal Hill. It used to house the Greenwich police station but has since been demolished.

(photo: Aug 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

Same view as above showing building work in progress.
The level has been lowered a little, showing a bit more of the retaining wall on the right hand side.

(photo: May 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

The same area but viewed from the other end (Royal Hill).

 (photo: Jan 2003)

 

 

 

 

 

Similar view as above of the building work in progress.

 (photo: May 2022)

 

 

 

The same area but viewed from further back on Royal Hill.
The railway ran underneath Royal Hill at this point.

 (photo: May 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

The same view as above but nearly two years later.
The inevitable erosion and encroachment of the line is complete here. There is nothing to indicate that a railway was once here, except for the skewed alignment of some of the buildings.

 (photo: Apr 2024)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just shy of the Greenwich Park station site, this is Burney St and the junction with Royal Hill. The parapet here still remains but has been truncated on its right hand side.
The Greenwich Park station site is to the right of this viewpoint.

(photo: May 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The same wall but looking in the Greenwich Park station direction.

(photo: Apr 2024)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view around the other side of the wall reveals not much at all really, just that the route of the line has been filled in.

(photo: Apr 2024)

 

 

 

 

 

For what it's worth: the site of the Greenwich Park terminus and platform area (in more of a prime location than the existing Greenwich station). The station building was at the front end of the platform area - the site is now occupied by an Ibis Hotel, the rear of which can just be seen behind the trees.

(photo: May 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

The Ibis Hotel on the site of the original station building.

(photo: Apr 2006)

 

 

West London Line