River Peck Ride

Those of you who attended our Open House ride this year will have been told that, in Roman times, Southwark's claim to fame was that it was the largest of a set of gravel islands which lay to the south of a very wide River Thames. London Bridge was built to provide access to this island, whose eastern seaboard was defined by Earl's Sluice. Earls' Sluice enters the Thames at Deptford Wharf and, prior to the 13th century, when the Effra was diverted to run west from Kennington to join the Thames at Vauxhall, it was fed from the River Effra. After meeting at Cutty Sark Gardens, we will first cycle westwards along the Thames Path to find Earl's Sluice, which lies on the Deptford/Rotherhithe border. There is an historic bridge parapet and sewer outlet there now. Earl's Sluice is one of London's lost rivers now, but we will be seeking out the pipe where Earl's Sluice emerges from underground to cross a railway line. The River Peck, from which Peckham gets its name, is a tributary of Earl's Sluice. We will follow the path of this river up to Peckham Rye Park, where parts of the river emerge from underground culverts and form a stream which runs through the park. We will then seek out the source of the River Peck, which lies under the roots of the One Tree at One Tree Hill. On our return journey, we will stop for a refreshment break at the Blackbird Bakery. We then cycle back along Quietway 1 to Cutty Sark Gardens, where the ride finishes. Ride Leader: Nigel Bee (tel 07415 315 690, email [email protected] )