The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter part of the last century. The Wandle Trail was established by the Wandle Group in association with the Wandle Industrial Museum in September 1988, launched with a walk with over 200 participants, led by Colin Saunders. 'The Wandle Trail Map and Guide' was put together in 1996 by the Wandle Industrial Museum with the support and help of London Borough of Merton, and sponsorship from Brown and Root.
It is now at the core of the efforts of the Wandle Group and we are integral to the Wandle Trail Working Party, which includes all the 4 Wandle Boroughs, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton and Croydon.
This original guide aimed to encourage and assist those who wish to explore the River Wandle and its heritage. Whether taken as a short stroll or a long walk it provided a brief outline of the main points of interest and the principle features of the route.
The full length of the Wandle Trail is a 11.5 mile long route that follows the River Wandle from Sutton, through Merton to where it enters the Thames in Wandsworth. Two thirds of the riverside is accessible to the public.
One of the main changes since 1996 has been the opening of Croydon Tramlink, whose stations at Phipps Bridge, Belgrave Walk, Mitcham, Ampere Way and Waddon Marsh all service the Trail. The line is broadly the same as the railway shown in the Guide, but more stations have been added.
The book 'The Wandle Trail' published by the Museum (?1.50p) or the 'Wandle Guide' book published by Sutton Leisure Services for the Wandle Group (?4.95p), as well as the smaller booklets referred to in these notes, all available in the Shop or by mail order.
Today the area around the River Wandle combines gracious parkland and industrial wasteland, urban street and garden suburb, far removed from the rural landscape of earlier centuries when the river margins harboured bleaching fields, osier plantations and watercress beds.
Successive generations have left their mark on the landscape. Many of the parks through which the Wandle flows are formed by the remnants of manors, estates and pleasure grounds laid out by the gentry and the prosperous to express their wealth and status.
However nothing was to have such a profound impact on the river as the demands of water-powered industries. This continuously redefined the Wandle during the centuries in which mills proliferated, manufacturing copper and iron, oil, leather, paper, snuff and printed textiles.
The Surrey Iron Railway, the first public railway in Britain, operated from 1803-46 using horse-drawn waggons to transport goods as far as the Thames at Wandsworth.
From the late 19th century onwards a tide of house building engulfed the valley, transforming Surrey villages into London suburbs. The Wandle diminished in significance and decreased in flow. Fortunately at the same time individuals began to work together to protect the environment and its heritage; a task which is continued through a variety of organisations to the present day.
I am the website administrator of the Wandle industrial museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced awareness its heritage for the use and benefits of the community.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
It is the end of the season for the year... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
Table Mountain sheltered the original Cape explorers in the 16th... Read More
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
How many of you take the time to just relax... Read More
Why should you use hiking poles is perhaps the first... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That... Read More
The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More
Pictures of a massive dead Great White shark on the... Read More
For some 30 years I practiced law in Mesa, Arizona.... Read More
Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More
Stay warm or die. That's what it comes down to... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
This amazing drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the... Read More
Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Outdoors |