Rail history buffs are an enthusiastic bunch. Maybe this was from stories of their childhood. It could be that rail permeates their lives courtesy of taking to the rails to get to work or home. But, one element that only mildly changes from year to year is the sheer joy at exploring new rail lines and branches for rail fans and commuters alike. We get it. This post places us in the UK, where rail first started.
Gemini tells asks us “how long is a piece of string?” when we try to understand the depth and breadth of the UK rail system. ( national rail network in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) is vast, which is why it is used with such thoroughness. Even with that, some towns and cities may have lessened rail coverage, but that is rare and usually down to lack of riders. If you’ve not been over in the east side of London, you may not know much about Thamesmead. We’ve written about the place. It’s one of London’s “new cities from 1966.
It was a bold idea, and in many ways, yet the template for “modern” cities in Europe. But it had one rather annoying flaw: there was no train service. Cars were the “solution, and it wasn’t much of a solution for commuters who needed to get from one side of the city to the other. So, in some ways Thamesmead languished. So, with this background in place, learn about a little part of London that you may not know but might want to. Watch the video below and keep your eyes what greater London has to offer.
Dotted with lakes and criss-crossed by canals, Thamesmead is a quiet residential area of mostly 20th-century housing. The riverside Thames Path is popular for walking and cycling, and connects with the start of the Green Chain Walk, a route linking parks, woodland, and open spaces in southeast London. Crossway Park has large grassy areas and a sports complex with all-weather football pitches.
Roam to Rio have options for getting to Thamesmead and back. Click here