Permanent orienteering courses

It is a number of permanent control points (usually about 20) identified by sturdy wooden posts with a code and an orienteering logo carved or painted on it. All the controls are shown on an overprinted map. They are usually situated in local parks or forests owned by councils, the National Trust or Forest Enterprise. Management of the courses may be by the owner of the land, or by the local orienteering club.

The courses have many purposes, depending on your own specific needs. The great thing about them is that you can go at a time to suit you, on whatever day of the week you choose. If you are an experienced orienteer you may use them to fine tune some techniques, maybe pace counting, relocation or line orienteering. They are also an ideal way of introducing children and adults alike to the sport, where you can go at your own pace and spend as much time as you like figuring out the map. If you want to go in a pair or as a group, again, this is the perfect opportunity. You may have just started orienteering and want to gain confidence in your skills outside of the pressures of an organized competition. So whether you are using them for training purposes or just for a more adventurous family stroll, the choice is entirely yours.

SLOW have arranged a number of permanent orienteering courses in south and west London:

WIMBLEDON PARK
Location – Wimbledon Park, SW19.

Electronic copy (pdf file) of the orienteering map can be obtained by contacting Don McKerrow (see below). For more information about what courses you can do at Wimbledon Park, click here (PDF).

KINGSMEADOW
Location – Kingsmeadow Athletics and Fitness Centre, Boundary Close, Kingston Road, Kingston, KT1 3PB.

Orienteering maps are available from reception, or by contacting Don McKerrow (see below). There are 3 courses available, between 0.5km and 0.7km, of about white/yellow/orange standard. For details and opening times see the UK Running Track Directory website.

SOUTH PARK
Location – north west of Wandsworth Bridge. Grid reference
TQ255760. Four courses available:
Star, Short (0.3km), Medium (0.6km), Long (1.1km). All ideal for beginners. Electronic copy (pdf file) of the orienteering map can
be obtained by contacting Don McKerrow (see below).

RAVENSCOURT PARK
No car park. Park is north of A315 King Street, south of Goldhawk Road A402.

Nearest tube station: Ravenscourt Park. Maps available from Don McKerrow.

BISHOP’S PARK
No car park. Park is just north of Putney Bridge, west of A219.

Nearest tube station: Putney Bridge. Maps available from Don McKerrow.

DULWICH PARK

Maps available for £1.50 from Chris Robinson (cmidgleyrobinson @ blueyonder.co.uk).

PECKHAM RYE PARK

Maps available for £1.50 from Chris Robinson (cmidgleyrobinson @ blueyonder.co.uk).

ELTHORNE PARK
Elthorne Park is in Ealing.

Maps available for £1.50 from Chris Robinson (cmidgleyrobinson @ blueyonder.co.uk), and from Elthorne Sports Centre, Westbury Road, off Boston Road, Hanwell, London, W7 2AD Tel no: 0208 579 3226.

There are several permanent orienteering courses in London and all over south-east England. For further information see the South East Orienteering Association website, and click on “POCs” in the top-left hand corner.

If you have any questions or comments on SLOW’s Permanent orienteering courses, or would like to get hold of any of the maps,
please contact: Don McKerrow (chair @ sloweb.org.uk).