Like his father before him, Patrick Nasmyth was deeply influenced by the Dutch Golden Age landscapists Hobbema and Ruysdael, here notably in the elevated viewpoint he has taken over the sweeping British countryside. Specifically, the view is taken from the wood by the village of Charlton, which sits upon high ground overlooking the Thames valley. The ground falls away sharply to the north, towards the river, and to the north-west, towards Greenwich. The road, which wends its way in the centre of the painting, is the Woolwich road, with open marshland between it and the river. Beyond, in the far distance, can be seen the church spires of St. Alfege at Greenwich, and St. Paul's at Deptford. A possible preparatory drawing for the present work, dated 1817, is in the collection of the National Heritage Centre at Greenwich.