Shooters Hill London – local area guide 2023

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South London’s highest point with some incredible views, Shooters Hill in Greenwich is home to historic castles, ancient woods and pretty parks.

Depending on your source, Shooters Hill name either came from the area being used for archery practice in the 1200s or from the highwaymen that used to congregate on the peak here, surveying which carriage to rob next. The name is also fitting for somewhere that housed lots of anti aircraft artillery during WWII.

Shooters Hill is known for several historic and iconic landmarks including Severndroog Castle, a listed water tower and Oxleas Woods.

Here is an area guide to in Shooters Hill, South London:

Table of Contents

Severndroog Castle

One of the most popular places to visit in Shooters Hill is Severndroog Castle, a majestic gothic grade II listed 18th century folly. It was built as a memorial to Commodore Sir William James who died in 1783, organised by his wife Lady James of Eltham.

Severndroog Castle was restored and reopened at the turn of the century after being boarded up for decades – it is now also a popular wedding venue with a small cafe and outdoor dining area located on the ground floor.

Severndroog Castle Shooters Hill London - local area guide

The interior and 360 degree views from the top are wonderful and some of the best panoramic views in the whole of London as well as Shooters Hill itself – a lot of events are held at Severndroog Castle including Christmas markets and a monthly producers market.

Admission to Severndroog Castle in Shooter’s Hill is £4 per adult (or £20 for an annual pass) as at April 2023.

Address: Severndroog Castle Castle Wood, London SE18 3RT

Check out Windsor Castle in our Windsor things to do guide >

Shooters Hill Best Viewpoints

Shooters Hill surely has to be a contender for some of London’s best panoramic views and certainly some of the best viewpoints in South London.

There are several high up vantage points looking towards the city – the only challenge is that most of the viewing spots aren’t readily located on grassy hills or recreation hills but in fact more on roads and random housing estates.

The best viewing points that we could find were:

Occupation Lane

The best viewpoint is at the very top of Occupation Lane, near Eagle’s Park. Note this is a private road so it is more of a gravel track.

If you arrive at the foot of Occupation Lane, it feels like you are going into a car park but carry on until you reach the hiller aspect and look back to see the view.

Shooters Hill London - Occupation Lane view of London skyline

Condover Crescent, Moordown and Brent Lane

Several streets in a housing estate also all have fantastic views looking over South London towards the city. You can see Canary Wharf, the Shard at London Bridge and many other iconic buildings of the London Skyline and Square Mile.

Shooters Hill A207

The main thoroughfare in Shooters Hill is a b*tch to cycle up on the way to Severndroog Castle but look back and you’ll see why it is all worth it. The local area of Shooters Hill has some good views overall.

Check out the best London cycle routes here >

Is Shooters Hill London’s highest point?

Well, yes and no – Shooters Hill is definitely South London’s highest point, clocking in at 132 metres high above sea level (this would explain all the incredible views mentioned above overlooking the city).

However, as for being London’s highest viewpoint, it appears that Hampstead Heath just pips it to the post at 134m (North Hill in Highgate comes in third, at 129 metres above sea level).

Shooters Hill Water Tower

No Shooters Hill area guide is complete without a mention of the water tower that looms large over the area.

Built in 1910 in a gothic revival style, Shooter’s Hill Water Tower is a grade II listed local landmark which can be seen from miles around. The distinctive tower is located next to a row of terraced houses and unfortunately cannot be visited by the public.

Oxleas Woods

Deriving from the Saxon word for Oxen, Oxleas Woods is one of the last few remaining ancient woodlands of London, which date back over 8,000 years!

A Site of Special Scientific Interest, Oxleas Woods cover 77 hectares in area and is very popular with walkers and exercise enthusiasts. It is also one of the greenest local areas in Shooters Hill, south London.

Whilst hilly in places and one of the highest points in London (given Shooters Hill geography), there are lots of spots to sit down for a breather on a bench and low lying areas too like the Oxleas Meadows.

Shooters Hill Green Chain Walk

The 50 mile Green Chain Walk consists of 11 sections that goes between Nunhead / Crystal Palace Park in South London and Thamesead. The Shooters Hill section of the Green Chain walk takes in both Oxleas Woods and Severndroog Castle.

Eaglesfield Park

A reward for making it to the very top of Shooters Hill (not so easy on a bike!) is Eaglesfield Park, located at the summit and offering incredible views of the nearby area and Kent (although not of downtown London, like the other vantage points mentioned before).

Eaglesfield Park in Shooters Hill also has a pond home to lots of wildlife and a popular playground area for kids.

Shrewsbury House Community Centre

Very much the heart of the local community in Shooters Hill, Shrewsbury House Community Centre is a grade II listed building which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023 as a community centre.

Shrewsbury House was built in built in 1923 and is one of the oldest buildings in Shooters Hill – check out the regular events at Shrewsbury House here >

Address: Shrewsbury House Community Centre, Bushmoor Crescent, SE18 3EG

Shooters Hill – Nearby Things To Do

Eltham Palace

A family friendly historic house managed by the English Heritage that combines elements of a royal palace from the 14th to 16th century that fell into disrepair before being restored and lovingly added to in the 20th century.

Eltham Palace is a around a 10 minute car journey or 20 minute cycle from Shooters Hill.

Woolwich

The heart of London’s historic shipping and maritime trade, with an abundance of old artillery barracks and buildings dotted all around. Woolwich also has a busy high street with lots of retail stores (and randomly, it is home to the UK’s first ever McDonalds!)

Shooters Hill to Woolwich is around a 5 minute car journey or 15 minutes by bicycle.

Greenwich

A UNESCO world heritage site, Greenwich is truly one of London’s riverside gem. Heritage and maritime history merge with glorious parks and gardens.

Situated on the banks of the Thames, Greenwich is a cute and charming London borough that is often (but not always) quieter than the main tourist sites in the capital

Shooters Hill to Greenwich is around a 10 minute car journey or 30 minutes by bicycle.

Check out our our full guide to Greenwich >

Shooters Hill London – local area guide 2023

Severndroog Castle