Wandle River – My London+

Wandle Trail – final leg

The above photo was taken after conpleting the second part of the River Wandle Trail in February (the first part I walked in January of this year). I posted about the previous legs on this blog back in the beginning of the year. A week ago I came back to walk the final leg.

River Wandle between Wandle Park and Wandle Meadow Nature Park

The start of this leg begins on the other side of the road from where the top photo was taken. I always enjoy walking somewhere new, and this was quite surprising. I never knew all this countryside was here, a vast open stretch in Wandle Meadow Nature Park. Firstly, we walked through Wandle Park itself (not to be confused with Wandle Park in Croydon, where the first leg began!). Out onto a lane and then into the Nature Meadow with its plyons and old sewage works.

Pylons and old sewage words (Wandle Meadow Nature Park)

After this we got a litle lost and had to double back as we realised we were in a different park than we should be! I had two different maps with me (plus Google Maps) and even then it was sometimes hard to follow the small turns. Sometimes we had to leave the river and walk along roads and rejoin it further along. This happened at Earlsfield where we walked a stretch of a busy main road, passed the the station and veered off left by the Wandle Trail Pub and down a long road before a right turn took us into King George’s Park. This is one of the biggest parks I think I’ve ever walked in (except in central London).

Somewhere behind us is Plough Lane, the home of AFC Wimbledon (they are rebuilding a new stadium)

The park is split into several parts, and being a Saturday, football was taking place – Little League teams and some adult teams, plus some sort of touch rugby which seemed to be a charity event as people were dressed in weird costumes! There was so much activity going on here including the small play areas and tennis courts. So many people walking, but part of this park is behind the town of Wandsworth itself.

The Wandle Trail Pub at Earlsfield and St George’s Park (Earlsfield end)

Wandsworth was also busy with Saturday shoppers, and we stopped to get a hot drink, and I used the facilities in the shopping mall (the river runs through the shopping mall!). We took our drinks over the road into an old churchyard, minus the church. We found out that this was the former site of the Society of Friends Meeting House (Quakers). The graves were still here and benches dotted around, making it a quieter place to sit for a breather.

The fountain in St George’s Park is defunct and fuil of old plastic bottles

Touch Rugby, charity style! (St George’s Park)

I’ve found my place! (Gardens, St George’s Park, Wandsworth end)

We were now not far from the River Thames. Rain had started to spit, but luckily it came and went, and thankfully waited until we were home before it set in. We followed the main road round and crossed over taking a right to meet the A3 into London. Here we picked up the river once more and followed it to where it met the River Thames. After around five miles we had reached our destination.

The River Wandle passing through Wandsworth

The churchyard of the former Quaker’s Meeting House

The Wandle Flow by the old churchyard. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to find the name of the artist.

The Causeway. Nearly there now.

The River Wandle joins the River Thames at Wandsworth. Journeys end.

Since that walk the weather has taken a nose dive, with only some afternoons with sunshine. We’ve had days of rain and our garden has been flooded two days in a row. This has never happened like this before. Back in 2007 we did have one deluge which flooded the garden, but never two days in a row. The weather forecast doesn’t look that great for this week either. Everything is so wet. The local park, where I jogged during the worst of lockdown, has an impromptu lake! I had planned a walk with a friend later this week, but I fear we will have to cancel, as it seemes to be a day of nothing but heavy rain.

Wandle Trail – Carshalton Ponds to Merton Abbey Mills

In January I walked the first leg of the river Wandle Trail from Croydon to Carshalton Ponds. Although the book /map I am using breaks the whole walk (Croydon to Wandworth) into two sections I have decided to split it into three sections. The reason being I like to amble and detour sometimes to see things on the way and take photos.

So yesterday I set off on the second leg arriving in Carshalton early with time for a quick hot chocolate in Costa and making use of their facilities before setting off. My first stopping point would be Wilderness Island which meant heading up behind the ponds where spring flowers were blooming and there was a lovely waterfall. I followed the path left and came out on the road. Further up I arrived at Wilderness Island, a nature reserve, and this was my first detour as I stopped and headed inside for a walk along the pathways. A Kingfisher darted between the trees over the river, but it was too quick to get a photo. It was more an ‘oh, wow!’ moment.

Back on the trail I headed along a footpath running along the back of the Nature Reserve and followed the river round and eventually coming across Claudio Funari’s Community Gardens. Such a lovely find, so pretty. Crossing diagonally across the road I headed down another path where I became a little unsure if I was on the right path to Watercress Park. Walking across another park I became a bit confused as to where I was so I stopped a guy who knew the area well. I thought I was in Poulters Park but I was ahead of myself as it came up later. Then came Watermeads Nature Reserve (second detour) where I met a group of ramblers who advised that the path in the other direction was less muddy, though it was a slightly longer way round. I took their advice and walked the long way. It was a lovely walk and quiet.

Arriving at Ravensbury Park I came across the bridge that had recently collapsed. Traffic could not cross but pedestrians could go round it. Here there were some flood defenses. Ravensbury Park was quite a delight, very pretty and worth another look sometime. On exiting it was just one road to cross and I was into Morden Hall Park, a place I know well. I headed towards the Potting Shed cafe (National Trust) and had lunch there (toilet break too), before heading into the garden centre for a look around. Morden Hall Park has lots going on for children. The Snuff Mill runs courses of pond dipping and other activities, especially in school holidays (last October half term it was pumpkin carving). There is also a second cafe and second hand bookshop, and by the garden centre is an aquarium and outdoor shed displays.

I was now on the final part of my walk across the park (there are wetlands with boardwalks and kids play area, but I missed this section out this time). At one point you have to cross the tram line and then its a straight run down to Deen City Farm and Merton Abbey Mills where William Morris once had his print works. Here the walk ended.

I’d chosen yesterday to walk as it was the best day of the week (the weather has been keeping me from being outdo0rs – I am a fair weather walker!) With three layers and a jacket and hat I was never really cold. The walk was just over 5 miles and took around two hours with stops for lunch and photos.

Working water mill at Merton Abbey Mills

Wandle Trail – River Walk (Wandle Park to Carshalton Ponds)

What do you do on a bright and frosty day? You pack a rucksack with a flask of hot chocolate and head out for a walk. The map for this walk can be downloaded from the Merton Council website, or follow it in the book London Waterside Walks. The whole walk is around twelve and a half miles (Croydon to the Thames), but we actually started in Wandle Park (where you pick up the river) as we travelled on the tram. Our aim was to walk to Carshalton Ponds and then review whether to continue to Merton Abbey Mills (the river eventually meets the Thames at Wandsworth, but that’s for another day!) In fact, we did end our walk at Carshalton Ponds.

The beauty of this walk is that there are various places you can drop out and catch a bus, train or tram. If you are travelling from a London terminal, trains run from Victoria to East Croydon from where you can walk or catch the Wimbledon bound tram and get off at Wandle Park.

The River Wandle winds through the park until it disappears underground through the distant housing estate.

Wandle Park looked pretty with the sun on the frost. A stones-throw from the busy town of Croydon with its many shops, the Whitgift Centre and Fairfield Halls, the park is an oasis with playpark, bandstand, lake, grassed areas, skatepark, and of course, the river. This is where it begins, running through the park before going underground through a housing estate and meeting again at Waddon Ponds.

Waddon Ponds is a beautiful area hidden away behind the industrial estate off Purley Way. With benches, lookout points, a little bridge, this must be a great place to unwind in the spring and summer. You can circle the ponds before setting off to Beddington Park. This huge park (94 acres) is now split into several sections. In the past it was part of a deer park and Carew Manor and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It was sold off to pay family debts. It is now Council offices and an Academy.

Following the river through the minor sections of the park it meanders before tumbling down weirs and passing a row of cottages. When you arrive at the main section of the park where the Manor House is, it opens up to reveal playing fields where Sunday football was taking place. Hence the Pavilion was busy (we were going to stop for food but the queue trailed outside), and the toilets appeared to be locked! Nearby is a Dovecote and St Mary’s Church before you double back over the Terracotta Bridge and head up river where we encountered some very muddy ground. We continued to Elm Pond and in to Grove Park (adjacent to Westcroft Leisure Centre) where there is a café and toilets (finally!). From here it is just a short walk to Carshalton Ponds where we ended our journey. Across the pond is Honeywood Museum which dates back to the 17^th century. You will find lots of history about the area inside, and I can recommend the café!