I chose the day least likely to rain, which came the day before New Year’s Eve. I set off by bus and tram to visit a popular haunt of mine. Having been here so many times, I didn’t think there was much left here to surprise me. How wrong I was.
The park was busy with families (kids riding new bikes) and dog walkers. The weather was surprisingly warm for December, up to 16 degrees and people were eating outdoors.
There was a ‘Percy the Park Keeper’ trail for the children (I used to read these books to my children) and both cafes were open, as well as the secondhand bookshop and garden centre.
After lunch in the National Trust cafe, I walked through the wetlands area along the River Wandle, passed Dean City Farm and finished my walk at Merton Abbey Mill, where William Morris used to have workshops. Later, Liberty’s of London had buildings here, including a print shop.
At weekends there is a market (though I have never been), and the various craft shops are open. There are places to eat here and a pub (The William Morris), and I found the pottery shop, which I have never been in before. Here you can see the mechanics of the waterwheel which still works and was working on the day I was there.
It was good to get out for a walk at long last, even for a short one like this.
I hope you all enjoyed some sort of New Year’s celebration, despite Covid. I look forward to sharing many walks and places of interest with you in the coming months.
My London+ 