Bostall Woods

“A highwayman’s hideout? In this day and age?” a skeptical voice might question. Yet, here we are, at the edge of Bostall Woods, a place where whispers of such legends linger. Bostall Woods, a sprawling expanse of woodland and heathland, isn’t just a breath of fresh air in bustling London. It holds within its ancient trees and hidden trails, stories that stretch back centuries. This haven, owned and maintained by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, offers a network of trails like the Green Chain Walk that wind through its heart. But delve deeper, and you might stumble upon a piece of local lore – Dick Turpin’s Caves. Though now bricked up, these subterranean passages were once said to be the hideout of the infamous highwayman himself, Dick Turpin. While historians, like the meticulous members of the Kent Underground Research Group, might tell you a different tale, the allure of the legend persists. Imagine the thrill of those early inhabitants, navigating newly laid roads like Abbotts Walk, with the whispers of Turpin’s exploits echoing in their ears! Bostall Woods is a place where history, both documented and whispered, intertwines with nature’s tranquility. So as you wander through its sun-dappled paths, remember, you’re treading on ground rich with stories, some rooted in fact, and others…well, let’s just say, they make the walk all the more intriguing, don’t they?