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  • 8/12/2019 The Wandle Trail

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    ThamesCycle Route

    NCN Routeto Richmond

    ThamesCycleRoute

    NCNRoute4toRichmond

    To WaterlooTo Waterloo

    WimbledonPark

    SouthWimbledon

    Morden

    Colliers Wood

    Southfields

    Earlsfield

    HaydonsRoad

    Mitcham Junction

    WandsworthTown

    PhippsBridge

    Rawnsley v enuenueRawnsleyAv

    enue

    NatureReservemanagedby theNationalTrust,notopentothepublice-mail: [email protected] www.nationaltrust.org.uk

    Morden Hall Park is open all year 8am - 6pmfor more information - call 020 8546 6850

    The Trail is accessible 24 hrswww.nationaltrust.org.uk

    Deen City Farmis open all year,for more informationcall 020 8543 2300

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    Mitcham

    Morden RoadTramlink toWimbledon

    Northern Lineto Central London

    Northern Lineto Central London& Morden

    Northern Lineto Central London& Morden

    District Lineto Central London

    & Wimbledon

    District Lineto Central London

    & Wimbledon

    Tramlink to Croydon

    Thames Link & South Central Trains

    Central London Surrey stations

    SouthWest Trains CentralLondonSurrey & Sussex stations

    Proposed futureroute

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    RavensburyPark

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    PoulterPark

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    Watermeads

    Morden HallPark

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    MertonAbbeyMills

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    BishopsfordHouse (derderelict)BishopsfordHouse

    (derelict)

    R i v e r W a n d l e

    WandsworthMuseumWandsworthMuseum

    King Georges Park

    Walk and Cycle Route

    POULTER PARK TO MORDENHALL PARK (1.87km, 25 mins)

    Pass Bishopsford House and sports pitches on left.Continue to Bennetts Hole. Go , past WatermeadsNature Reserve on your right, to BishopsfordRoad. over road bridge and cross the road usingcentral refuge. into RavensburyPark . Crossover 2 small bridges, . Continue through park,with river on your left, to emerge at Morden Roadby Ravensbury Mill .Ravensbury Mill still retains 2 water mills which werein operation until the middle of the C20th. Ravensbury Park is managed as a Local Nature Reserve.

    along Morden Road and cross at controlledcrossing. After 50 metres into Morden Hall Park .Morden Hall Park took on most of its present character when it was acquired and laid out in the middle of theC19th by the Hatfeild family.

    MORDEN HALL PARK TO MERTONABBEY MILLS (1.76km, 25 mins)

    Follow the avenue of trees through the park. Crossthe bridge over the main river channel. Ahead youwill see Morden Hall .

    Morden Hall was built in the mid-C18th on the site of an earlier building by Richard Garth, lord of the manor

    of Morden.then cross the two smaller bridges and again.

    Follow the path through the wetland to thetramlink crossing. Cross carefully, checking bothways for trams. over the small wooden bridge,then follow path round to to rejoin river on your right. Continue past Deen City Farm on your left,coming out at Phipps Bridge. Continue alongtarmac road. Cross over Windsor Avenue.Continue . Soon you will see Merton Abbey Millson your right across the river.Merton Abbey Mills and their C18th wheelhouse wereused by Littlers in the C 19th, and Libertys Print Works in the C20th.

    MERTON ABBEY MILLS TOWANDLE PARK (Merton)

    (0.78km, 11 mins)When you reach Merantun Way cross at thecontrolled crossing, and go through the archway.Cross over Station Road and go along theriverside path. Soon you will see Savacentre on your

    right across the river, and you will pass a plaquemarking the site of the C19th William Morrisfactory. Exit the path and across the bridge over the river (towards Savacentre) then with the river on your left. Follow the path across the bridge over the Pickle Ditch and , follow the path round thebuilding and down some steps to Merton HighStreet, then cross over the access road to PrioryRetail Park (to avoid the steps, keep right after thePickle Ditch and go around the pub keeping it onyour left). You then come to a large roadjunction. and cross using controlled crossingtowards Wandle Park . Enter the park, follow pathover 2 footbridges, then and follow the path,leaving the park, with the Lodge on your right,into Bygrove Road.

    The large former water mill building on your left is theold Connollys Mill, built in the late C18th by JohnRennie, and which was linked to Wandsworth by theSurrey Iron Railway.

    KING GEORGES PARK(1.27km, 17 mins)

    Before rejoining the river you will pass an acid grassland, the remains of a WW2 army coal depot.

    Keeping to the right of the Park (and left of theriver), follow the river over Kimber Road, into asports field, then leave the river to travel down to alower field. to travel behind the Leisure Centreover a footbridge into Garratt Lane, then intoMapleton Road. At the junction with Neville GillClose, re-enter King Georges Park.The walls of the river here support a range of ferns,including Male Fern and Harts Tongue Fern.

    in the Park to pass ornamental gardens, tenniscourts, bowling green and lake, then ontoBuckhold Road. At the High Street cross, then .

    KING GEORGES PARK TOTHE THAMES (1.15km, 16 mins)

    Looking downstream, you can see Youngs brewery onthe right. This is the oldest site in Britain upon whichthere has been continuous brewing. There are shoals of Dace in the river here. The Grey Wagtail is a frequent visitor. Hemlock, Water-Dropwort and Hemp Agrimony

    grow on the shelves at the base of the concrete channel.

    Almost immediately into Wandsworth Plain, usingthe left-hand pavement. All Saints Church is on your left at the junction. Cross the busy Armoury Way.

    on the other side, by the Crane pub into TheCauseway, which bears left as it rejoins the river.

    Looking North, the patch of silty land to your left provides a nesting ground for Moorhens each Spring.Water Mint and Brooklime have found a foothold onthe recently added tidal terrace. You can sometimes see a Kingfisher here.

    Follow the river round past Bell Lane Creek toThe Spit, and a view of the River Thames.

    The walls of Bell Lane Creek are heavily vegetated withMarsh Yellow Cress and Garden Angelica. There are largenumbers of Eels in this stretch and Pike can occasionally be seen taking advantage of this food source.

    The Spit is an area of land protruding into the Wandle just below its confluence with the River Thames. Smelt,Dace and Flounder spawn in this area, attracting a variety of birds including the Great Crested Grebe. Tidal terraces have recently been created to encourage such bird life.

    map continues over page

    The Wandle near Youngs Brewery

    Lower Wandle Nature Reserve

    Morden Hall Park

    Ravensbury Park

    The River nearWilderness Island

    The Wandle nearDale Park

    Wandsworth Museum

    PBoroughBoundary

    Parking Publ ic Telephone

    PublicHouse

    Refreshments Seat ing Toilets Disabled ToiletLinks to theLondon Cycling

    Network

    WandleTrailfor Walkers& Cyclists

    ConnectiontotheTrail

    WandleTrailfor Walkers

    ProposedFuture Route

    Tram Stop

    Key to map

    *this bridge is planned for construction in 2005

    PLOUGH LANE TO KING GEORGESPARK (2.10km, 30 mins)

    Follow the path for about 1 km, through the LowerWandle Nature Reserve. The path emerges atTrewint Street Bridge. over the bridge into TrewintStreet.

    Muddy deposits at the edge of the river allow some plants to get a foothold, including the pretty, but invasive Himalayan Balsam and Pendulus Sedge.

    along Summerley Street then again ontoGarratt Lane. Pass under the railway bridge withEarlsfield station on your right. into PenwithRoad then into Acuba Road. At the junction of Acuba Road and Bodmin Street, enter KingGeorges Park.

    WANDLE PARK TO PLOUGH LANE(1.56km, 21 mins)

    along Bygrove Road, cross the bridge over theriver, along the path. When you reach the nextbridge* cross the river into the Wandle MeadowNature Park .Wandle Meadow Nature Park was until recently a sewage

    works, but is now managed as a Local Nature Reserve.under the road bridge and leaving the river,

    walk past the pylon through the centre of the parktowards the railway. Leave the park via the gatewaynext to the tunnel under the railway line.This tunnel indicates the position of the Surrey IronRailway (early C19th).

    Pass under the railway, continuing along the pathto Plough Lane. and cross Plough Lane at thecontrolled crossing in the middle of the bridge.and then immediately along path, with the river on your right.On your left used to stand the former home of WimbledonFootball Club, winners of the FA Cup in 1988.

    The Wandle near Deen City Farm

    Wandle Park

    On all routesPlease be courteous! Always cycle with respectfor others, whether other cyclists, pedestrians,people in wheelchairs, horse riders or drivers,and acknowledge those who give way to you.

    On shared paths Give way to pedestrians, giving them plenty

    of room Keep to your side of the dividing line,

    if appropriate Be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary Dont expect to cycle at high speeds Be careful at junctions, bends and entrances Remember that many people are hard of

    hearing or visually impaired dont assumethey can see or hear you

    Carry a bell and use it dont surprise people Give way where there are wheelchair users

    and horse riders

    Good Cycling Code

    Enjoy the countryside and respectits life and work

    Guard against all risk of fire Fasten all gates Keep your dogs under close control Take your litter home Help to keep all water clean Protect wildlife, plants and trees Make no unnecessary noise Follow the Good Cycling Code

    Countryside Code

    2010

  • 8/12/2019 The Wandle Trail

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    Hackbridge

    Carshalton

    Waddon

    EastCroydonstation

    Wallington

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    Thameslink & South Central trainsCentral London to Surrey andSussex stations

    119 130 94 197 198264 312 367 409 410466 26 T33

    Tramlink to Croydon

    Tramlink - Croydon to Wimbledon,Elmers End,New Addington andBeckenham

    Wandle Park

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    Canon Bridgesbridge

    Canon Bridgesbridge

    By train to East Croydon Station(Brighton/Gatwick Airport-London/Luton)(Purley/Tattenham Corner/East Grinstead-London)(south coast-London)

    By train to Waddon Station(Dorking/Epsom/Sutton-West Croydon/London)Ring 08457 48 49 50 or visitwww.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.By tram to Wandle Park tram stop/East CroydonStation. Trams run about every 10 minutesRing 020 7222 1234 or visitwww.tfl.gov.uk/trams for details

    By bus numbers 64, 119, 130, 194, 197, 198, 312,367, 409, 410, 466, 726 and T33 to East CroydonStationRing 020 7222 1234 for local guides/times or visitwww.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner

    WADDON PONDS TOCAREW MANOR (1.44km, 20 mins)

    Pass the Ponds on your left, continue alongbridleway. At Mill Lane Trading Estate, take rightfork in path. At Lavington Road , crossfootbridge over river, along Richmond Green.Take left fork in path at junction with PetershamTerrace, follow river. at junction of KingstonGardens and Wandle Road. In front of mill intoBridges Lane. Pass the row of cottages called MountPleasant.

    Beddington Mill was probably founded on the site of amedieval mill. During the eighteenth century it was used to grind corn and later to grind tobacco into snuff.The existing brick mill was built in the 1890s for J and TH Wallis, who ran a bakery as well as a flourmill.

    Take riverside footpath between Wandle Court (onleft) and river. At end of path, cross Hilliers Lane atcontrolled crossing, go into Guy Road. 100metres across the bridge. and keep river onyour left, take left fork behind first block of flats.Path curves right into a copse and left at the largecedar tree. When path forks (tarmac path goesright), follow track to left towards Carew Manor .

    Carew Manor was the home of the Carews of B eddingtonfor 500 years. The house still contains a Great Hall withan impressive timber arch-braced hammer-beam roof,which dates from around 1500. You can also see theDovecote, dating from the early eighteenth century. It has nesting boxes for pigeons, which were reared for food.

    CAREW MANOR TO ELMS POND(0.86km, 12 mins)

    At the end of the brick wall, follow rough pathacross an open space, until it emerges into a car park. Cross car park, walking past the cottages,then across bridge over river. and continuethrough Beddington Park. Pass Canon Bridgesterracotta bridge on your left.

    The Watcombe Pottery, Torquay, built this ornamental terracotta bridge for Canon Bridges, the Rector of Beddington, at the end of the nineteenth century. Heacquired the Park in 1859 when the last of theHallowell-Carew family was forced to sell the estate to

    pay gambling debts.

    Continue through a gap in a post & rail fence,through a copse, past a small flint bridge on your left. Beyond bridge towards the lake. Keep lakeon your left, cross 2 small bridges before coming toa car park. Cross car park diagonally and intothe gardens. Go through gardens and cross DerekAvenue into Lakeside. Go , cross Quinton Closeand into London Road. Cross London Road,using the central refuge. and pass Elms Pond onyour right.

    CARSHALTON PONDS TO WILDERNESS ISLAND(0.84km, 12 mins)

    Keep the ponds on your left and before the bridge spanning the river.Continue past weir and alongside river on your left to park entrance.Cross bridge here and along shared pedestrian and cycle path betweenhouses and river. Cross Papermill Close, then across the footbridge,then along tarmac path to Butter Hill. across river again. (At this pointshort cut rejoins Wandle Trail) Cross Butter Hill, continue under railwaybridge. Pass the entrance to Wilderness Island .

    Wilderness Island is a statutory Local Nature Reserve. Tufted ducks breed on this part of the River and common darter dragonflies can be seen in the summer.Kingfishers breed along the River between Wilderness Island and BeddingtonPark. Some thirty species of birds have been recorded on the Island, including all three British woodpeckers, tree creepers and nuthatches.

    Useful numbers & Contacts

    NationalCycleNetworkRoute22- seeinsetbelow

    The Stor y of the Wandle Trail How to get there

    Groundwork Merton Telephone: 020 8687 4050www.groundwork.org.uk/mertonSustrans Telephone: 0845 113 0065www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

    (for interactive mapping)London Borough of SuttonTelephone: 020 8770 5000

    www.sutton.gov.ukLondon Borough of Merton

    Telephone: 020 8274 4901www.merton.gov.uk

    London Borough of WandsworthTelephone: 020 8871 6000www.wandsworth.gov.uk

    The River Wandle has two sources, in Waddon andCarshalton, and flows to join the River Thames atWandsworth. In its industrial heyday, it was Britainshardest working river, with over 90 mills alongits banks.The Wandle Group, the Wandle Industrial Museumand the riparian London Boroughs have developedthe (20 km/14mile long) Wandle Trail. The Trailallows local people to enjoy the heritage interestand flora and fauna of this typical chalk streamin the heart of some of south Londons mostindustrialised landscape.The route description guides walkers from south(East Croydon) to north (the River Thames), but iseasy to follow in either direction. We have includedestimated walking times for each section.In places, the ground is uneven, making the Traildifficult for wheelchair users. However, the Wandle

    Trail Partners are committed to making it safer andmore accessible for all users. Improvement work isin progress. The text describes alternative routes for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility,where necessary.The map shows both walking and cycling routes,which coincide for much of the way but differ inplaces. It also shows links to other cycle routes andpublic transport. Part of the Trail is National CycleNetwork Route 22.The Wandle Trail Art Programme is providingnumbered gateways, viewing platforms anddistinctive waymarkers. A travelling waste wall willbe the focus of community rubbish collection events.Visit www.wandletrail.org for further information.The Wandle Trail partners (the London Boroughsof Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth, GroundworkMerton and Sustrans) have published this mapleaflet. The idea developed from the WandleIndustrial Museums earlier map and The WandleGuide, published by the London Borough of Suttonfor the Wandle Group.

    Beddington Park

    Waddon Ponds

    Thisleaflethas beenproducedin partnershipwith:

    Canon Bridges bridge

    Carew ManorWilderness Island from River Gardens

    map continues over page

    W a l k a n d C y c l e R o u t e

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    From Westcroft Leisure Centrethe route continues as part of theNational Cycle Network,viaEpsom Downs to Dorking,Guildford and the South Coast.

    For more information seewww.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

    Routecontinuesfrommainmap-see above

    Croydon

    London

    Printedon 50%recycledpaperandpulpfromsustainableforests.Thispaper can berecycled

    2003TheWandleTrailPartnershipDesignedby SquiggleDesignPartners T:02083838660 W : www.squiggle.co.uk

    EAST CROYDON STATION TOWADDON PONDS (2.08km, 30 mins*)

    Leave station into George Street. Cross Park Laneand continue along George Street. At North Enddown Crown Hill towards church. into OldPalace Road at the Gun Tavern, first into ChurchRoad. 20 metres, down alley towards church,along side of church, past west front. Throughsubway beneath Roman Way, then along StJohns Road. First into Sylverdale Road and atend through alleyway, to Waddon New Road.Over footbridge into Wandle Park(Croydon). thennext to leave park, cross tram track by Wandle

    Park tram stop. (To avoid bridge along WaddonNew Road, at lights along Waddon Road. RejoinTrail at Vicarage Road).

    Along Vicarage Road, into Waddon Road. Keep .Cross Purley Way, down Mill Lane to WaddonPonds.*Estimated walking time for this and other sections of theTrail, are based on an average walking speed of 4.5kmph

    ELMS POND TO CARSHALTONPONDS (1.26km, 17 mins)

    (Short cut: into Butter Hill. At far end, crossbridge and into Mill Lane.)

    Cross Butter Hill towards Rose and Crown pub.past shops then into Westcroft Road. 250 metresalong, Westcroft Road is split by bollards -towards Westcroft Leisure Centre. Before you reachfront of leisure centre, across bridge over canalinto Grove Park. Follow path , passing the bowlinggreen on your left. At T-junction of paths andfollow tarmac path past the caf and toilets, thenbetween the Council buildings. With the mainbuilding on your right go down slope towardsCarshalton Ponds .The two ponds at Carshalton were probably created inthe early eighteenth century. The white stone bridgewhere the River leaves the ponds is often attributed tothe Italian architect Giacomo Leoni. It bears the griffinfrom the arms of the Scawen family. They lived in Stone

    Court, a large house that stood on the west side of theRiver, one hundred yards downstream.

    WILDERNESS ISLAND TOPOULTER PARK (2.72km, 40 mins)

    continues over page

    Keep into River Gardens. 150 metres on, just after River Gardens swings left, along riverside publicfootpath. Pass a weir and an industrial estate to agrassed area. Cross this diagonally to NightingaleRoad. over bridge. Cross Nightingale Road andthen onto riverside path (pedestrians can use lefthand path, closer to river). Pass the white bridge onyour left, and continue through a play area, toCulvers Avenue. Cross Culvers Avenue and keepalong shared-use path with houses on right andriver on left. Take left fork in shared-use path, thennext left fork. towards bridge and cross it, thentowards industrial estate. At Budge Lane , thencontinue along shared-use path to Middleton Road.Cross at controlled crossing.

    then into Watermead Lane. Pass the cottagesand g o i nt o Poulter Park.

    The River is most attractive in its semi-rural setting by Poulter Park. The water is much cleaner due to theextensive submerged vegetation filtering it. Reed mace,reed sweet-grass, nettles and creeping thistle grow hereon the banks.

    CarshaltonPonds(GroveCanal)

    Did you know that walkingcan have benefits for your health?

    As well as being a great way to get out in thefresh air and see your surroundings, walkingcan help to:

    Increase your fitness, stamina,confidence and well-being

    Reduce the risk of heart disease Control body weight Strengthen bones Reduce high blood pressure Reduce stress and anxiety