Wandle Trail
Encyclopedia
The Wandle Trail is a walking and cycling trail that follows the River Wandle
from Croydon
to Wandsworth
in south-west London
, Merton
and Sutton
, together with Groundwork Merton (a charity to support the improvement of the quality of life for Londoners), and Sustrans
(a charity for sustainable transport, especially cycling). The idea came from a map of the Wandle produced by the Wandle Industrial Museum.
The trail has been designated National Cycle Network
Route 20, and also will be part of route 22.
and Haydon Road Railway stations, Colliers Wood
and Morden
underground stations and Phipps Bridge Tramlink
stop.. Many sections of the trail are suitable for wheelchair users and improvements have been proposed to extend these. In addition to the parks, the trail is adjacent to both Morden Hall (National Trust
) and Merton Abbey
Mill (which has a working waterwheel). There are several parts of the trail that are suitable for nature and ecological study, and some places where fishing is allowed.
A description and map of the trail are in a pamphlet published by the group. It shows the location of bus stops, phones, seats, and toilets. It also shows places on the route where refreshments can be obtained.
This pamphlet can be downloaded from links on both the references below.
River Wandle
The River Wandle is a river in south-east England. The names of the river and of Wandsworth are thought to have derived from the Old English "Wendlesworth" meaning "Wendle's Settlement". The river runs through southwest London and is about long...
from Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
to Wandsworth
Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
in south-west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Organisation
The Wandle Trail Group was responsible for the formation of the trail. The group consist of an association of the London Boroughs of WandsworthLondon Borough of Wandsworth
The London Borough of Wandsworth is a London borough in southwest London, England, and forms part of Inner London.-History:The borough was formed in 1965 from the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea and much of the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth, but...
, Merton
London Borough of Merton
The London Borough of Merton is a borough in southwest London, England.The borough was formed under the London Government Act in 1965 by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Mitcham, the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon and the Merton and Morden Urban District, all formerly within Surrey...
and Sutton
London Borough of Sutton
The London Borough of Sutton is a London borough in South London, England and forms part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the 80th largest local authority in England by population. It is one of the southernmost boroughs of London...
, together with Groundwork Merton (a charity to support the improvement of the quality of life for Londoners), and Sustrans
Sustrans
Sustrans is a British charity to promote sustainable transport. The charity is currently working on a number of practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport, to give people the choice of "travelling in ways that benefit their health and the environment"...
(a charity for sustainable transport, especially cycling). The idea came from a map of the Wandle produced by the Wandle Industrial Museum.
Description
The trail follows the river as far as possible by its banks. In some areas unsuitable for cycling, it divides into two trail one for walkers and the other uses which nearby roads for both cycle and walking. The Wandle runs through areas that are largely built-up. As public transport is available in these area close by, access to the trail can be easily made at many points. Sections of the trail can be comfortably walked with stops for food and drink. Much of the trail uses existing Green Spaces (see below), each of which has its own attractions. There are some section where the trail has to leave the river and use local roads. Schemes have been presented for future development that may overcome the obstacles by the river, but cost has so far prevented their implementation.The trail has been designated National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
Route 20, and also will be part of route 22.
Facilities
The trail starts at East Croydon Station and runs for about 12.5 miles (20 km) to the Thames near Wandsworth Town Station. The route passes near EarlsfieldEarlsfield
Earlsfield is an area within the London Borough of Wandsworth, London, England.Earlsfield is a typical London suburb and comprises mostly residential Victorian terraced houses with a high street of shops, bars, and restaurants between Garratt Lane, Allfarthing Lane, and Burntwood Lane...
and Haydon Road Railway stations, Colliers Wood
Colliers Wood
Colliers Wood is an area in south London, England, in the London Borough of Merton. Colliers Wood station is served by the London Underground's Northern Line.It is a mostly residential area, split down the middle by a busy High Street...
and Morden
Morden
Morden is a district in the London Borough of Merton. It is located approximately South-southwest of central London between Merton Park , Mitcham , Sutton and Worcester Park .- Origin of name :...
underground stations and Phipps Bridge Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
stop.. Many sections of the trail are suitable for wheelchair users and improvements have been proposed to extend these. In addition to the parks, the trail is adjacent to both Morden Hall (National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
) and Merton Abbey
Merton Abbey, London
Merton Abbey is an area in southwest London, England. It lies between South Wimbledon and Colliers Wood in the London Borough of Merton. Merton Abbey takes its name from Merton Priory, which once stood on the northern edge of the district...
Mill (which has a working waterwheel). There are several parts of the trail that are suitable for nature and ecological study, and some places where fishing is allowed.
A description and map of the trail are in a pamphlet published by the group. It shows the location of bus stops, phones, seats, and toilets. It also shows places on the route where refreshments can be obtained.
This pamphlet can be downloaded from links on both the references below.
Green Spaces used by the trail
- Wandle ParkWandle ParkWandle Park is the name of two separate parks in London, on the course of the River Wandle.The Wandle Trail passes through both parks.-Wandle Park, Croydon:...
, Croydon - Beddington Park
- The Grove
- Wilderness Island
- Dale Park
- Poulter Park
- Watermead
- Ravensbury Park
- Morden Hall Park
- Wandle ParkWandle ParkWandle Park is the name of two separate parks in London, on the course of the River Wandle.The Wandle Trail passes through both parks.-Wandle Park, Croydon:...
, Colliers Wood - Wandle Meadow Nature Park
- Garratt Park
- King George's ParkKing George's ParkKing George's Park is a park in Wandsworth, South London.- Park description :The park was originally called Southfields Park and was laid out in 1922.[1] It was officially opened by King George V in 1938. The park is about 770 m long in the nouth-south direction, with an average width of 120 m. The...