A 4 mile walk along the upper reaches of the River Wandle including its two main sources. The walk begins at Wandle Park tramstop or Waddon Station and finishes at Carshalton. Sections of the walk can become muddy.
Note: (RL) = river on left & (RR) = river on right as you walk. Look out for Kingfishers!

From Wandle Park tramstop go down Vicarage Road and cross Waddon Road into Benson Road. Continue along Waddon Park Avenue. Cross the Purley Way and go right at Waddon Court Road into the park.

From Waddon Station go right along the Purley Way for a short distance then take Waddon Court Road into the park.

Follow the path to the right alongside the pond (RL) out into Mill Lane
This spring-fed pond is one of the main sources of the River Wandle. The northern pond was filled in in 1964.

Go left along Mill Lane then continue on the footpath - not the works access (RR)
A corn mill was recorded in the Domesday Book. Its last replacement closed in 1928.

Continue along the road ahead (Bridle Path). Bear right then left into Bridges Lane then take the path ahead (RR)
Beddington Mill of the 1890's replaced an earlier timber building. There is an adjoining mill house with outbuildings and some riverside cottages (Mount Pleasant) which housed mill workers.

Cross Hilliers Lane and go around Guy Road (RR) then second right into Church Lane which continues as a footpath into Beddington Park. Go right at the end of the churchyard wall (Church Road).
These are buildings of the Manor of Carew occupied by the family from the mid 14th century until 1859 when it was converted into an orphanage. The Great Hall with a hammer beam roof of 1500 remains.

Continue to the East Lodge ahead then go to the right past a dovecote and some cottages. Cross the river and follow it to the left (RL).
The Lodge was commissioned in 1877 by Canon Bridges, Rector of Beddington. The Dovecote was built between 1715 & 1720 to replace an earlier building and contains over 1200 nesting boxes. There is a cafe and toilets in the pavilion building off to the right.

Continue to follow the river (RL) and keep to the north side of the lake at the metal bridge then go to the right through the gardens of the Grange (now a restaurant). From the Grange take the riverside path to the left (RL) out into London Road
Opposite is the 18thc Wandle Bank which was the home of the Pre-Raphaelite painter Arthur Hughes from 1876-91.

Go left along London Road and around the roadside pond then cross the road.
The Elms Pond has been re-instated

Go to the right of the Londis Store and Rose & Crown pub into Butter Hill. Follow this road round and at the end turn right into Mill Lane. Just beyond the railway bridge on the right is the entrance to Wilderness Island.
This Nature Reserve is managed by the London Wildlife Trust. Paths lead to the confluence of the two branches of the River Wandle (see board at the entrance or click here). Strawberry Lodge which was built for the gunpowder maker Josias Dewye is now a Baptist Community Centre.

Retrace your steps and go back down Mill Lane. Just beyond Butter Hill and a white building follow the path & cycleway between the river and the road (RL). At the end enter The Grove (Park) and walk to the right (RR) past a cascade and restored mill building through to Cashalton Pond.
The ponds are the second main source of the River Wandle. The parish church is opposite and the High Street to the left. Some notable buildings have Sutton Heritage plaques. Situated in Honeywood Walk to the right is a Heritage Centre with cafe & shop and beyond this in Festival Walk is the Sutton Ecology Centre. At the end of Festival Walk is the Carshalton Water Tower (pictured in header).

© london-footprints.co.uk 2007

Books
Village London by Andrew Duncan
The Wandle Guide

Carew Manor
Occasional tours of the late medieval Great Hall, cellars and dovecote. Tel 020 8770 4781 for details.

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