Pathfinder Walk: early 2006
Most recent walk: 27th January 2007
The Wandle Trail is an excellent walk for a beginner or experienced rambler alike. The fine gents at Sustrans and the councillors of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth have put together a pleasant, varied, and well-mapped and signposted route.
Length(max): 5 hours’ walking at a reasonable pace
Travelling:
Waddon, the main source of the river, is easily reached via the vibrant suburb Croydon; and trains run from Queen Victoria station. The alternative source, Carshalton, is served by London Bridge. The Carshalton walk is approx. one hour shorter than the full walk.
At the other end of the walk is Wandsworth, served by Wandsworth Town station. The walk is pleasant in either direction; however, the Waddon end is more countrified, so I would personally recommend starting at that end in the daylight; that way, should dusk creep up in the final stages, one is faced with the lights glittering on the Thames and not a dark pond. Although for the Carshalton walk, the church is beautifully lit up at night.
Most Notable Features:
Beddington Park (long route only)
Carshalton Ponds and Church
Wilderness Island
Morden Hall Park – Particularly wonderful in summer because of the flowers, but the bridges and ponds are lovely all year around. Also involves crossing the Tramne Trackes!
Merton Abbey Mills – An excellent stopping point, featuring, as it does, a breakfasting place, a hostelry and craft stalls. And a quite super centre from Mr J S Sainsbury. Follow the river to see the site of William Morris’ printworks.
Industrial Wandle – a reminder of the working river in the form of big piles of metal and grit and that
Many smaller parks and follies
Drawbacks
The full walk might prove quite a challenge for a novice; thankfully it meets many public transportation hubs and can be broken in manageable chunks for the casual rambler.
Navigation is very straightforward thanks to the excellent maps and signposts provided by the Wandle Trail people.
Resources
Everything you need to know is here
on the steamweb.
Here are other similar places to look at:
http://www.merton.gov.uk/visiting/attractions/wandletrail.htm
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/streets/walking/walkdetails.asp?id=131
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1098871727484
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/vanguard.html
http://www.wandlevalleyfestival.org.uk/
http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/articleview/142/1/148
