The magic of Severndroog
I moved to Donaldson Road, on the Woolwich side of Shooter's Hill, in 1948, at just over a year old. Castle wood and Severndroog Castle in particular, were a regular weekend walk for us, climbing the tower and then recovering with a cup of tea in the tearoom on the ground floor! As a small child, to me it was always 'Lancelot's Castle', inhabited by Lancelot the Giant, a character in my favourite storybook. Later I discovered its considerable significance both architecturally and historically, and when I moved away from London in 1968, I rashly assumed that its future was secure, and that it would be preserved with the care that the LCC and the GLC had given it. When I returned in 2001 however, with my own family, to show them this fascinating place from my childhood, I was appalled to see its condition, boarded up, vandalized and inaccessible to the public. It must be returned to its former glory, both as a significant folly and as an asset for the community. By supporting the campaign highlighted by the BBC Restoration programme, I fully intend to ensure that my grandchildren, and their grandchildren, will be able to experience the magic of Severndroog I remember from my childhood.
- Bridget Carrington

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The London skyline
In the mid-sixties the Country experimented with double summer time - two hours forwards , not the one hour as is now. I remember a magical evening with my family , Mum and Dad , Aunts and Uncles - it was light until well after 11pm and the view from near the castle (probably not the top) was a surrounded by a warm, red haze.
Another was a visit from some friends from deepest Somerset in the seventies. We used to have a week's holiday with them but this time we had them to stay instead. I think that they thought of London as a smelly concrete jungle until we exhausted them climbing the steps of the Castle and the staggering view from the top.
I can't remember the last time that it was open but it must be the best part of 15 years - just imagine the change in the London skyline since then but what can be done with it to keep it safe and pay for its upkeep in the future? What about the surrounding gardens and masonry structures? - they're all pretty crumbly now.
- Chris Piller

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Secret castle in the woods
Do I remember Severndroog Castle? It is a fantastic folly, the stuff that dreams are made of.
I grew up in the early sixties on Shooters Hill. My mum would often take me out to the parks and woods for the day Shrewsbury Park, Eaglesfield (in which they had a huge paddling pool) or to Oxleas Woods but it was always a special treat to go up to Jack Woods and then into Castle Woods.
You would approach the woods up a track from Shooters Hill, half hidden by the school and near my old Brownie Hut. Up past a beautiful cottage - I always wondered who lived there and if they were nervous about living in the woods - past the green, through the tress and then there it was! A castle? No. A triangular tower where you'd least expect a tower to be! And what a name! Full of mystery for a young mind.
Not only was it a stupendous vision it also served a purpose. Through the large double doors was a tearoom (always a joy in my mind!) ably run by Mrs. Newman, a neighbour from our road, Moordown. Sadly Mrs Newman died recently. On warm days table and chairs were put outside, or just inside during less clement weather. Toilet facilities were outside, were they triangular too? I can't remember that. Once tea was done the fun began with a trip to the top of the tower.
Up the stairs, past the different floors to the very top. My child's mind wondered who had lived there, what had been the purpose of each floor, what had the people done there. Finally you would reach the summit and you were on top of the world!
Spectacular views across Kent and London. You could practically smell the sea all those miles away, you could breathe in the maritime connections with the Thames. Sometimes you could even hear the boats horns. Modern landmarks such as the trendy GPO Tower, Tower Bridge and the Nat West Tower dominated the London side and across the countryside extensive views evoking thoughts of Dick Turpin and the Roman army advancing up the A2.
All the parks had tearooms in those days but none as thrilling as that in Castle Woods. I have returned but the viewing platform was closed and the tearoom had long since been closed. Nevertheless all the friends I have taken to see my secret castle in the woods have been genuinely thrilled to have discovered it. And I always had a dream that one day the council or who ever owned it would let me go and live in my tower on the hill.
Let's hope it wins!
- Madeleine Minto

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An atmosphere of history
I have lived in south-east London all my life and when we were children my dad was very keen on taking the four of us to "the country". As well as our outings to places such as Downham, Farnborough, etc. When we did not have time to go so far a field our dad would take us on the 89 bus to Shooters Hill, where we had a huge expanse of woods to play in. At the entrance to Jack Wood and Oxleas Wood was a shady wooded path which after a few minutes led to a delightful open, grassy area where to the right was a putting green and to the left more wooded area.
The reason my mother used to accompany us on these particular walks and not on others was the possibility that she may be able to have a game of "putting" with us all. She did not particularly enjoy long walks but after playing putting she would be happy to sit outside the glorious Severndroog to await our return from playing hide and seek in the woods. A few hundred yards further on from the putting green, lying directly ahead of us, stood the majestic if somewhat shabby Severndroog Castle. It was open on the ground floor to the public as a cafeteria, providing much needed refreshments for walkers, hikers and putters alike.
I cannot remember if the other floors of this building were accessible to the public but, nevertheless the very fact that we could enter such a grand building filled us with a sense of mystery, and an atmosphere of history was present at all times. The grounds around the castle were always well maintained. The rose gardens which lay directly beneath the castle grounds were a delight to walk through. These are still there. Further down the steps before arriving at the woods level there is a distinctive tree brought over from America and the only one planted in these grounds - a Sequoia [or Redwood]. Every time I go back to these woods a part of my childhood leaps out to grab me. We have fought so hard in later years to save Oxleas wood from desecration. Developers wished to uproot some of the oldest trees in existence in order to build a road for the planned Thames river crossing. We saved the area from that fate. Let's fight to save this wonderful castle, too.
- Patricia McKinnon-Lower

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One of the most magical places I have ever visited
Cold, bright, Sunday mornings. At one of the highest points of one of the oldest and most beautiful stretches of ancient woodland in London stands the peculiar, yet eminently noble, Severndroog castle.
As a child, the thrill of seeing this strange, compelling structure outlined against the blue sky and proudly peering above the treetops, was too much to walk by without wanting to run to the top.
Sometimes, and it was impossible to predict when this would be, the small door at the base of the tower would be open and we would, for the price of 5 pence, be allowed to climb to the top where we could see the entire world. Various landmarks could be identified by looking along wooden grooves carved into the edge of the observation gallery, each labelled with the landmark to which they pointed. This, coupled with the spectacular view of the woodland, made Severndroog Castle one of the most magical places I have ever visited. I hope it survives.
- Martin

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Memories from Jakarta
One's life path is partly defined by the geographical boundaries and community facilities experienced as a teenager. I grew up at 204 Shooter's Hill Road but left there 40 years ago to go to university. Our house was midway between Blackheath and Shooter's Hill. A little way up the road on the other side was Hornfair Park (?) with a lido for early Sunday morning dips. (I've disliked swimming ever since.) Cross the road, walk through the estate and there was Charlton House. Continue through Maryon Park and there was The Valley. I'm still an Addick.
Pedalling up 'the Hill' without dismounting was always a challenge with the freewheeling back home the reward. At the top were the woods where I was envious of other teenager cyclists with their cowhorn handle bars which seemed so much more suitable for rough riding. Mind you, my Rudge frame was sturdier. We would race, play tag or Commandos, which was our generational 'Cowboys and Indians'. And there was always time to relax in the café with lemonade and a rock cake.
And I still live in a city, Jakarta, albeit one without parks, play areas for children or the freedom to roam. My Indonesian son and I don't have access to Greenwich Park or Oxleas Woods. He won't experience the simple pleasures of urban nature, the first bluebells and the delights of 'natural' forest which landscapers allowed in order to counterbalance their structures and layouts.
A park needs maintaining. It's main function is for play, which has the all-important connotation of exploration. Severndroog Castle is a fantasy. The Princess in the Tower, the lone coconut palm on Robinson Crusoe's island or simply a desirable residence for those otherwise imprisoned in impersonal housing estates or living 9 - 5. I am saddened that there is a need for a campaign to re-open Severndroog Castle but heartened to know that people care.
- Terry Collins

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A museum devoted to the woods...
I have walked various pet dogs in Castlewood for more than 40 years and have very fond memories of Severndroog Castle. There used to be a cafe on the ground floor and many times I have stopped for a cup of tea or an ice cream.
I have climbed to the top of the Castle many times as well to survey the wonderful view, one of the best in South East London in my opinion. They say that on a good day from the top of the Castle you can see seven counties. It cost just three old pence to climb to the roof of the Castle. I still walk in Castlewood frequently and would love to see the Castle restored, possibly housing a museum devoted to Oxleas Woods, of which Castlewood is part, and to Eltham. I hope one day to be able to climb to the top again and renew my acquaintance with the wonderful view. It has been so sad to see this building deteriorating through lack of use.
- Carol Doust

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A certain age
I was born and raised at Shooters Hill though now retired and living in France.
I well remember the castle and its little cafe tearoom on the ground floor where as kids we could buy drinks and penny ice lollies. You had to be a certain age to go to the top to look at the view, price one penny, my big sister or my father would often take us up there. Also the woods around the castle abounded with red squirrels in those days.
There was also a lovely putting green just before the castle as you entered Castle Woods. The view was spectacular but as the trees grew they masked a lot of it. The castle was built to commemorate a battle near Madagascar I forget the date. Many happy memories came back after hearing it mentioned this on the BBC.
- John

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Be prepared...
I always loved going to the top of Severndroog castle on Sunday mornings (two old pence a go in 1969!) after church at Christ Church, Shooters Hill. I am explorer scout leader of Severndroog Explorer Scout Unit based at Christ Church for 14 years and have never had the pleasure of taking my scouts up to the top, what a great shame! Carry on the good work.
- Alex Bienkov

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A wonderful piece of history right on our doorstep
I remember climbing the castle when I was 12 or so which would have been 1975. Unfortunately by then you couldn't see inside the whole castle but it was really quite something to be able to pay your 10p to the man at the bottom and then climb all those stairs. You were truly rewarded by that breathtaking panoramic view of both London and Kent! It's such a shame that the opportunity to see that view (and inside the castle) has been denied to local people for so long. The castle itself is a fantastic building and a wonderful piece of history right on our doorstep. To see it in its current sorry state is terribly sad.
- Janice White

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Before World War Two
Before WWII I went to Severndroog Castle regularly with my father on Sunday morning walks; we had lemonade in the café on the ground floor and then climbed up the tower and out onto the top, from which my father said one could see seven counties. To reach the roof, you stepped from one tower, across an open ladder with rope rail, onto the other. Scary!
- Marian Anderson

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Walking to Severndroog Castle
I really love Severndroog Castle. My memories of it date from the early sixties when my mum would take me for walks starting in Oxleas Woods. We'd walk in a loop from what is now the Oxleas Wood cafe side of the woods, through the rose garden and then always end up at Severndroog Castle - it seemed to somehow pull us towards it.
We'd meet other walkers in the bluebell woods around the castle - they're so beautiful in the spring. I remember the castle was closed at that time. My mum told me she thought it a great shame that the cafe on the ground floor was closed and we would have liked to see the view from the top of the tower. Lots of walkers we met said the same thing.
The castle has been under used for far too long. Lots of tourists come to Greenwich now - I'm sure they would visit Severndroog if the castle was open. It could become a major point of interest and focus for community groups in the area. I hope future generations can get to know and love the castle as we do.
- Carol

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Hide-out in Castle Woods
Yes, I have many memories of Castle Woods. I used to go there with my Mum and my brother. We used to love climbing to the top of the castle and seeing where we lived from there, which in those days was Granby Road. We used to have a cup of tea or an ice-cream in the cafe and then play roly-poly down the hills with my brother and once we built a hide-out in there and I can still find the place where we built it.
I look forward very much to when it is opened again so I can take my children to the top of the castle too. I know they will enjoy it like I did!
- Pamela

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Castle in the thirties
As an old Eltham lad I go back to 1937-38 we would play in Crown Woods, Jack Woods, Oxleas Woods and always near the Severndroog Castle. Let me tell Greenwich Council the castle was built in 1784 to commemorate Sir William James's conquest of Severndroog on the Malabar coast in 1735. It used to have a beacon as its extreme height made a landmark for ships coming up the Thames. I have many friends in and around Shooters Hill who contribute in numbers to keep the castle open for public use.
- Nick Bryant

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The folly's tea room
I was interested to read about Severndroog Castle. About 30 years ago I lived in Plum Lane, Plumstead, and regularly took my two young children to Oxleas Wood.
The castle, or folly, was run by an elderly couple as a tea room. They had previously run the tea cabin in Shrewsbury Park but had to close it due to frequent vandalism.
My children always enjoyed themselves in the woods and we would often stop for refreshments.
Sometimes, during the afternoon, you could climb to the top of the folly where there was a platform. The views over Kent and London were always wonderful.
During the summer and bank holidays the castle was always busy. The history of the castle's name was on a plaque in the tea room.
I was surprised to read the folly had been left to fall into disrepair. Far too much has been lost over the years. I hope the castle can be saved.
- S J Kemp

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