Greenwich’s ice age ravine – The Slade

Plumstead Common is a surprisingly wild green space in the urban, densely populated, Borough of Greenwich, south east London.

Within the Common is The Slade – an ancient valley that was formed at the end of the last Ice Age when the melting glaciers formed rushing rivers. Now, the ravine is dry and “lined with scrub heathland vegetation, sloping down steeply from the level of Plumstead Common to the flood plain of the Thames”.

The Slade, Plumstead

It’s a 10 minute amble (approximately 0.25 miles) from Warwick Terrace on Plumstead Common down into The Slade and then up and out onto Winn Common.

The Slade ravine, Plumstead

The Slade Ponds lie at the bottom of the valley.

Slade Pond, managed by the Plumstead Common Environment Group, is considered to be a “quality green space” – it has been re-awarded the Green Pennant award for 2012-2013.

The Slade Ponds, Plumstead Common, Greenwich

Sycamore, ash, false acacia and English oak trees all grow at The Slade

Berries growing in The Slade, Plumstead

View of The Slade, Plumstead, Woolwich

The steps out of The Slade deliver intrepid explorers to Lakedale Road and onto Winn Common, another green space.

Winn Common, Plumstead, Greenwich

Nearby Winn Common is another ancient space – it’s been a settlement since the Bronze Age

Bronze Age mound – Winn Common Tumulus

Back to the urban: The view of the streets from Purrett Road, Winn Common, Plumstead, in Woolwich, Greenwich

Links to groups and individuals associated with Plumstead Common and Woolwich

Plumstead Common Environment Group

Plumstead Common on Twitter
Stewart Christie, Plumstead Common
The Only Way Is Woolwich
Woolwich Coffee Lounge

Slade Valley, Plumstead Common, Plumstead, c. 1910
London Gardens: Plumstead Common, including Winns Common and The Slade

See also:
Tewin Bury Farm’s long history