Maritime Winter Walk
Sun 18th January 2026 at Noon

Join us for a nautical winter walk along the banks of the River Thames from Rotherhithe to Greenwich. 

A pleasant walk of approximately 5 miles (8km) through London’s docklands & parklands along the Thames path.

Meet at Midday on Sunday 18th January at the Mayflower Pub (see Starting Point below) . The walk will begin at 12:30pm. 

Things to see en route are: 

The Mayflower Pub – London’s oldest riverside pub. 

Southwark Park  – First opened in 1869 by the Metropolitan Board of Works as one of its first parks. It was designed by Alexander McKenzie and covers 63 acres.  It takes its name from being in what was the old Parliamentary constituency of Southwark at the time of its opening.

Greenland Dock – The oldest of London’s riverside wet docks. It was created in 1695-1699 as Howland Great Dock on marshland within a rural area – London was much smaller then. At that time the dock was also about half its present size. At first the dock was used for re-fitting ships of the East India Company. From the 1720s it was used by whaling ships and whale blubber was boiled on the quayside to produce oil. The whaling ships came in from Greenland leading to the dock being renamed Greenland Dock.

The Golden Hinde Dry Dock – The dock where the Golden Hinde was constructed in 1577, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe.

The River Thames – The name “Thames” likely comes from the Celtic word Tamesas, meaning “dark water” or “dark”.

The Cutty Sark –  The last surviving extreme clipper now preserved as a museum ship in Greenwich showcasing maritime history as one of the world’s fastest sailing vessels. Built in 1869 to race tea from China, the name comes from Scottish poet Robert Burns’ poem, meaning a “short shirt” or nightdress, referencing the witch figurehead. 

Greenwich – The main nautical borough of London famous for the Maritime Museum, the Naval College and the Greenwich Observatory.

Starting Point:
At the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe.
Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/MtucCPHsfHq4sjN38
What 3 Words ///wells.sides.bits

Finish Point:
The Ship pub in Greenwich. Please let us know if you are joining us for lunch.  We’ll arrive there at about 1430.
Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/kWZe1AwKRS82GT8y6  
What 3 Words  ///basis.slams.wool

Getting There:
By Car – Are you mad!
By Bus – Bus 381 from London Bridge.
By Tube – The Jubilee Line to Canada Water, then overground to Rotherhithe. 
Overground – Rotherhithe Station is very close.

The Route:
The route is on paved paths – it is all pretty flat. 

Dogs:
Well behaved dogs are welcome. The walk is dog friendly as is the pub at the end. Dogs will need to be kept on leads at certain places.

Cost:
Free, Nada, Nothing, Gratis.

Just let us know you are coming by booking here so we can reserve the space in the pub.

Non members can book by emailing us at info@sundowners.org.uk do let us know your name, if you want to eat at The Yacht and if you are bringing a dog.