A 4 mile walk between Mitcham and Phipps Bridge Tramstops following the River Wandle through Morden & Merton. It is possible to join the route from Colliers Wood tube station (Northern line) but in this case it will be necessary to travel by tram from Phipps Bridge to Mitcham as the route is not circular (instructions below).

From Mitcham Tramstop take the path towards the main road
To the right across the track is the building which used to be Mitcham Station. The road to the left Tramway Path marks the route of the Surrey Iron Railway laid in 1801-3 for horse-drawn wagons.

Cross London Road at the lights and go left. Just beyond Rawnsley Avenue join the Wandle Trail going through Ravensbury Park. Cross the bridge and go left, keeping the river on the left. At the millstones feature cross the bridge to the right and take the path to the left.
At the end is a former mill race

Exit park into Morden Road
To the left is a view of Ravensbury Mill which produced tobacco and snuff until 1926 and was one of the last working mills on the Wandle (1960s).

Go to the right along Morden Road crossing at the lights. Go into Morden Hall Park on the left just before the Surrey Arms.
The Morden Hall estate was sucessively held by the Garth and Hatfeild families for over four centuries. It was bequeathed to the National Trust by G E Hatfeild who died in 1941.

Take the left fork then follow the riverside path to the left (not avenue ahead). Continue through the rose garden. Go across to the right of the white building.
Morden Cottage has an 18th century Gothick facade and was once the Hatfeild family home. Beyond are the former snuff mills and kilns. The east mill is 18th century and the west mill was added c1830. They were in use until 1922.

Continue on the path ahead
To the left is the Environmental Centre, Mill Cottage (former home of the works foreman) and Bothy (used by estate workers). On the right is the stable block with a trout weathervane.

Bear left past the workshops and go through the arch
There is a dairy building with some information on the estate to the right. Beyond the arch is a garden centre to the left and a National Trust shop and cafe to the right. The car park occupies the site of the walled kitchen garden.

Return to the stable block and go to the left just past this (signposted Deen City Farm etc).
Morden Hall was built in the 1750s and was the Garth family home until 1787. It served as a school from 1830-1873. The last private owner, a bachelor, moved into Morden Cottage during WWI and the Hall was used as a convalescent home. It was subsequently used by the council as offices before becoming a restaurant in 1996.

At the white bridge do not cross but continue ahead crossing at the next bridge. Bear right (signposted Deen City Farm) through the wetlands area (ensure you keep to the path)

Go right and cross tramway with care. after a short distance cross the bridge to the right.
This is Bunces Meadow an area used for bleaching cloth. Deen City Farm is to the left further along.

At the farm entrance continue along the roadway ahead (signposted Abbey Mills). Cross Windsor Avenue and continue ahead.
At the end of the path is the Paul Bowness Memorial Garden and an information board about Merton Priory. There is also a view of the show house (this is part of the Abbey Mills complex which will be seen later).

Cross at the lights and go through the arch opposite.
A plaque gives more information. This was the site of Merton Abbey Station.

Go to the right then rejoin the Wandle Trail to the left
Further along is a plaque and information board about William Morris and his works. These were on the site now occupied by Savacentre.

Cross the main road at the lights and go to the right. Take Wandle Bank to the left. Take the bridge to the right into Wandle Park.
From the bridge is a view of the former Connellys Leather Works, now flats. This was built as a flour mill by John Rennie in 1789.

Bear right to the marble drinking fountain
This commemorates Harry Pollard Ashby (1809-1892) and Robert Bloomfield Fenwick (1835-1897) both residents of Wandle Park.

Take the path across the bridge then to the right
At the end is another drinking fountain of 1907.

Exit the park and cross at the lights then go to the right. Opposite the former Five Bells pub go into the retail park to the left.
Opposite PC World are riverside seats

Keeping the river on the left take the path going out of the retail park
There are views of priory wall remains across the river. At the end is an information board on the Pickle Ditch

Cross the bridge to the left and continue along the riverside path. Go through the Sava Centre store continuing through the car park between rows G & H. Go through the subway opposite (signposted Merton Abbey Mills)
This gives (graffitti permitting) views of the chapter house remains

Bear right through the car park across to the mills entrance
This complex produced cloth 1724-1981 including Liberty fabrics around the turn of the century. The buildings are as follows: Colour House 18thc (theatre), Wheel House 18thc (restored Victorian wheel), Coles Shop 1890 (cafe & shops), Long Shop (market), Show House 1912, Block Shop 1925 (pub), Apprentice shop 1926 (shops), 1929 Shop (shops).

Cross the river by the bridge alongside the William Morris pub and go left. Return to the farm then cross the bridge to the left and go right along Phipps Bridge Road, keeping to the path alongside the wall
Everetts Place, millworkers cottages of 1824, are supported by a mock ruin folly, probably constructed with priory stone. Vandle Villa was built in 1788 and has a castellated lodge of 1824. These are all owned by the National Trust but privately occupied.

Just beyond number 174 go to the right to Phipps Bridge Tramstop

Resources
The Wandle Guide
An Hour Passed at Mitcham Grove/ Ravensbury Park / Morden Hall / Merton Abbey
Historic River Wandle – Mills in Pictures
Merton Priory - Museum of London publication
William Morris at Merton - Museum of London publication

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