A group of keen walkers tried out the new self-guided walk on the former route of the Grand Surrey Canal on 20th April 2026. The walk was proposed and organised by Amanda Squires (above, centre) of the Our Rotherhithe group. The walking group was honoured to have the presence of Cllr Dr Sunny Lambe, Mayor of Southwark, and Cllr Jacq Paschoud, Speaker of Lewisham Council (above, either side of Amanda).

The walk begins in the former Surrey Docks, at the point where the canal connected with the Thames, and follows most of the canal’s route to Camberwell and Peckham. The guide takes the form of a leaflet (held by the walkers, above) or a pdf download for mobile devices. Details of the walk are on our page here.

At various points along the walk, guide authors Geoff Fairbairn, Hilary Bolton and Andrew Pearson gave details and showed pictures of the heritage of the canal and wharves. Participants also provided a lot of personal memories, so everyone learnt something new!

It’s over to you now – download the guide or pick up a printout at various points and see history for yourself!

Above, L-R: representatives of Southwark and Lewisham councils stand on the borough boundary line, on Yeoman St, Rotherhithe, close to the canal route; the group hears about Burgess Park canal bridges; the mayor of Southwark, Cllr Sunny Lambe says a few words at the start in Rotherhithe Youth Hostel