Friday 3 September 2010

Chislehurst Caves & Petts Wood

Another reasonably short cycle trip today, the weather was nice so why not.

Depart Bromley for Chislehurst Caves.  I’ve seen signs for the caves before but never been there.  Apparently there are 22 miles of caves and they are first mentioned around 1250 AD and may have been created as chalk and flint mines by the Druids and then the Romans.  In WW1 they were used as an Ammunition store and in WW2 as an air raid shelter.  In later years bands such as the rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Status Quo have used the caves as a music venue.  I didn’t actually go into the caves but just had a quick look around.

03092010129

The Blue Plaque on the wall at Chislehurst Caves

Then onto Petts wood via Jubilee Gardens and Thornet Wood.  In WW2 this was part of the Inner Artillery Zone which was a defensive ring of gun sites encircling London.  Today it is peaceful parkland.

03092010130

The Plaque at Thornet Wood in Jubilee Park, Petts Wood, Bromley

Finally head back via the Chequers Inn for a refreshing pint of “Old Tripp” ale (seemed appropriate) then back home.

03092010131

Chequers Inn, Bromley

Total distance 16.5km., duration 1hr 4mins, average speed 15.3km/h and max speed 45.2km/h.

Google Earth KML file here : JW 3 Sept 2010

No comments:

Post a Comment