« All Events
InspiralLondon’s Songlines for Greenwich creates a day of polyphonic shared exploration for Black History 365 celebrations – with four interlinked walks along the InspiralLondon Trail – the first 2 parts are longer walks (10.30am – 1pm then from 1.30-3.30pm) arriving at Oxleas Woods. Here there will be a unique walk workshop led by Frances Calliste around Severndroog Castle woodland from 3.30pm -5.30pm. Before we descend via bus, across Woolwich Common to the Riverside. Then, in the early evening (6.30-8pm) join us for a final short walk event led by local artist Bonita Charles, around Woolwich Riverside
The day of explorations start from Mottingham, passing through Eltham, as the trail flows towards the River Thames. This walking event links up different parts of the Borough, to explore Black Lives – unique reclaimed stories and hidden histories – located in Greenwich’s diverse landscape. On these walking tours you will experience and celebrate unexplored Black History hidden in Greenwich’s historic building, its ghost traces, found buried in the cityscape.
We welcome all to this day of interlinked walks that celebrate Black history and cultures within Greenwich as we traverse the Borough from Motterham to Woolwich. We will stop on the way for performances, talks and celebratory retellings – with partners including Severndroog Castle, and Clockhouse Community Centre.
You can join us for 1 or more of the walks – or for full Retellings experience book for the whole day HERE – All walks are free but you must Book. Details and tickets from June 2025. Note if you cannot make the walk on day or need to cancel we are grateful if you can in form us via Eventbrite.
Retellings starts promptly at Motterham Station at 10.30 am (10.30am-1pm) to trace a ghost path along Inspirallondon trail toward Eltham station. We pass along King John’s Way to arrive at the end of this first walk exploration near to Eltham Palace. Taking time along the way to admire the views, share readings and local stories before stopping for a picnic lunch with refreshments at around 1pm.
(Image: The only known likeness of Yemmerrawanne – a silhouette profile in the Sir William Dixson collection of the State Library of New South Wales.)
Notably we visit the gravestone dedicated to ‘Imeerawanyee’, or Yemmerrawanne, a ‘slender, fine-looking youth’ and a ‘good tempered lively lad’ who soon became ‘a great favourite with us, and almost constantly lived at the governor’s house.’ On the walk we hear tell about this extraordinary story, the first encounters between the English colonisers and the native Australians of Warrane (now Sydney Harbour) – of songlines lost and found; Of the first time an Aboriginal song was performed in Europe by Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne – the printed score, the oldest known published music from Australia !
Book HERE
Led by theatre artsist Frances Calliste
What secrets lie beneath a hill so tall, that caused leaders to rise and fall ?
Follow us on a gentle nature walk starting at Severndroog Castle, Shooters Hill, to venture into the surrounding ancient woodlands.
We will learn how this castle came to be, and reflect on the other histories mirrored in the post-colonial past. We’ll explore modern day piracy, sea shanties, flag symbolism and much more !
Strolling around Oxleas Woods with musical, poetic and thoughtful interludes. We will delve in deeper to the history behind Severndroog, making links to trade, piracy, pirate radio and much more! Through song, music and story-telling, we explore together other histories that mirror a post-colonial retelling of the past. Stay tuned for more info! Refreshments available.
We meet at Woolwich Station exit Elisabeth Line at 6.30pm to explore until Woolwich until around 8pm. Please BOOK HERE
Walk 4: Present Memory & Myth: Black Women Writers Trail (6.30 pm – 8.30pm.) led by local artist Bonita Charles
Meet at Woolwich arsenal station
We will walk the trail of Black Women Writers, who have local connections to the borough of Greenwich, and/or Woolwich. We will be exploring the works of historic writer Phyliss Wheatley as well as contemporary writers from the borough such as Bernadine Everisto and listening to extracts from their poems/novel.
The walk will take place in Woolwich, and we will be walking to personal heritage sites described in the novels/writings and will be incorporating multisensory activities to immerse walkers in the experience. Lastly, we will uncover and reimagine the mythical women of folklore from the Caribbean and colonial diaspora.
Note for full updated details of all walks and event please visit ticket BOOKING (from June 2025)
A Black History 365 celebration project funded by The Royal Borough of Greenwich, that seeks to uncover, then retell hidden, buried or untold stories from the Black British diaspora, through a festival of unique public walk events and performances.
Transport to Mottingham – recommended to use Station – Parking is available.
Transport to Eltham – recommended to use Station – Parking is available.
Transport to Severndroog Castle site: Parking is available.
Bus – Take the 486 bus from North Greenwich or Bexleyheath or 89 bus Lewisham or Bexleyheath, alighting at the Memorial Hospital. 244 bus from Woolwich or Queen Elizabeth Hospital alighting at the Memorial Hospital on Shooters Hill.
Tube – Jubilee Line to North Greenwich, then 486 bus, alighting at the Memorial Hospital.
DLR – DLR to Woolwich Arsenal, then the 244 bus alighting at the Memorial Hospital.
Train- Network Southeast to Welling, then a 486 or 89 from bus stop D towards Shooters Hill. See above.
This event is generously supported by Royal Borough of Greenwich Black History 365 Grant 2024 to 2025.
Transport to Woolwich – recommended Elisabeth Line. Parking not available
supported by inspirallondon associate artists & counterproductions.
