Introduction: A View Like No Other
Nestled between Honor Oak and Forest Hill, One Tree Hill is one of South London’s most scenic and storied landmarks. From medieval legends and royal picnics to Victorian protests and wartime lookouts, this hill has seen it all. Today, it rewards every step of the climb with sweeping views across the capital — from the Shard to St Paul’s Cathedral — and plenty of history to uncover along the way. Whether you’re a London walker, local historian, or weekend explorer, One Tree Hill offers a perfect mix of nature, heritage, and panoramic London beauty.
Poet John Betjeman once claimed that the view of London from One Tree Hill in Honor Oak was far superior to that from Parliament Hill. Standing at the summit today, with the city skyline unfurling before you, it’s easy to agree. From here you can see Canary Wharf, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, and even the London Eye — a sweeping panorama that captures old and new London in one breathtaking scene.
📚 Discover more: : The Time Traveller and the London Eye
A walk up One Tree Hill — and down the other side into Forest Hill — offers not only stunning views but also a journey through centuries of London’s social and cultural history.
The History Behind One Tree Hill
The name ‘Honor’ comes from an old English term meaning ‘honour’. In Medieval England, an honor referred to a vast estate of feudal lands. During Norman times, an oak known as the Oak of Honor crowned the hill, marking the boundary of territory belonging to the Earl of Gloucester and forming part of the ancient Great North Wood.
Local legend claims that Queen Elizabeth I paused here in 1602 to picnic beneath the oak while en route to visit Sir Richard Bulkeley in Lewisham. Tales that she knighted the tree after enjoying too much wine are almost certainly apocryphal — but they add to the hill’s charm.
The hill later became a symbol of public resistance in the late Victorian era. When the nearby golf club sought to enclose the land for private use in 1896, residents formed the Enclosure of Honor Oak Hill Protest Committee. Thousands gathered to tear down fencing and reclaim access to the space. After years of dispute — and two mass protests involving up to 100,000 people — Camberwell Metropolitan Borough Council acquired the site for £6,100. One Tree Hill officially became a public park and nature reserve in 1905.
Walking Up One Tree Hill
The main entrance to One Tree Hill is a short walk from Honor Oak Park station. The climb is steep but well-paved, with several staircases that make the ascent manageable.
Your first stop is the striking church of
St Augustine of Canterbury,designed by William Oakley in the mid-19th century. It served as a gathering point during the enclosure protests and, more recently, faced closure before being saved by public campaigners in 2003.
Continuing uphill, you’ll find the present-day Honor Oak, encircled by an iron fence. This is the third oak to stand here — its predecessors either perished naturally or were struck by lightning. The current tree was planted in 1905 to commemorate the park’s opening to the public.
A Summit Rich in Stories
The summit of One Tree Hill has long served as a strategic and symbolic site. Over the centuries, it has been:
- A Semaphore Station owned by the East India Company, signalling the arrival of ships on the Thames.
- A Napoleonic War lookout, run by the Admiralty as part of a nationwide communication system.
- A highwayman’s vantage point — legend holds that Dick Turpin scanned the roads below for wealthy travellers.
- A First World War gun emplacement, defending London from German Zeppelin raids (the concrete base remains visible).
- A celebration site, where beacons have marked major occasions — including George VI’s Silver Jubilee in 1935, subsequent royal jubilees, and the millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999.
Exploring Forest Hill and Surroundings
Descending towards Forest Hill, you’ll pass Brenchley Gardens , landscaped along the former Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway. Nearby Marmora Road was once home to Gilbert McKenzie-Trench, the designer of the iconic blue police box — later immortalised as the TARDIS in Doctor Who.
At the bottom of the hill, opposite Camberwell Old Cemetery, lie the graves of several notable figures: boxing champion Freddie Francis and tea merchant Frederick John Horniman, founder of the Horniman Museum.
A short stroll along Forest Hill Road brings you to the Sea Breeze Café, marked with a blue plaque commemorating the birthplace of actor Boris Karloff — best known for his chilling portrayal of Frankenstein’s Monster — born here in 1887.
Walk Through History and Culture
Today, One Tree Hill offers far more than sweeping city views. It tells stories of medieval estates, royal legends, community protests, wartime innovations, and local creativity. Few places in South London capture such a rich blend of natural beauty and historical depth in one rewarding walk.
Explore More with London Guided Walks
If this glimpse into One Tree Hill’s past has whetted your appetite for more hidden London stories, join one of our themed guided walks.
Discover cinematic secrets on our Doctor Who Private Tour or Doctor Who Walk, or explore London’s darker side on our History of Horror Walk or Private History of Horror Tour.
Every step reveals another chapter in the story of London.
