Not far from Charlton Village is Maryon Park, a small, quiet park relatively out of the way (inasmuch as anywhere in London can be called out of the way). Lyn and I were out in our chairs again yesterday, getting to know two potential new PAs. We went through Maryon Park, and I noticed something interesting. I go through that park quite a bit, usually on my way to Woolwich. I’ve always ignored the large wooded mound on one side of the park, but yesterday, Lyn leading, we followed the path the other way, up and round. Something piqued my interest quite soon: that mound was too round and steep to be natural.

I went down there again this afternoon, quite curious. My limited knowledge of archeology made me wonder whether it was some kind of ancient fort – it certainly looked like one to me. I had a little scout around, but didn’t see much. Of course I had to keep to the path, and the place is too overgrown to make out anything like ruins. However, getting back home I googled it, and found I was right: Maryon Park (who’s other claim to fame is that Antonioni filmed a part of Blow Up (1966) there) contains Cox’s Mount, a roman hill fort. That really appeals to the archaeologist in me – I wonder if anyone has ever excavated it. How cool to have such a fascinating, ancient thing so close.