The Wandle Trail - Croydon to the Thames

The Wandle Trail is a 12–14 mile (approx. 20 km) walking and cycling route in South London, following the River Wandle from its sources in Croydon/Carshalton to the Thames at Wandsworth. It is a mostly flat, largely traffic-free trail passing through industrial heritage sites, nature reserves like Morden Hall Park, and scenic parks.Key Information & Highlights:Length: ~12–14 miles (19–20 km).Route Type: Point-to-point (often starts at Wandle Park, Croydon, or Carshalton Ponds).Key Sights: Morden Hall Park (National Trust), Deen City Farm, Merton Abbey Mills, King George’s Park.Terrain: Mostly flat, featuring paved paths, gravel, and some occasional muddy sections, suitable for walking and cycling.Transport Links: Accessible via East Croydon (Tram/Train), Carshalton (Train), and Wandsworth Town (Train) stations.Features: Follows a historic "hard-working" industrial river with over 90 past mills.Route Segments:The trail is often split into shorter sections:Upper Section: Starts at East Croydon/Carshalton Ponds, passing through Wandle Park, Wilderness Island, and Watermeads Nature Reserve.Middle Section: Flows through Morden Hall Park, Ravensbury Park, and Merton Abbey Mills.Lower Section: Connects to Wandsworth Town via Earlsfield and King George's Park.For a map to download, see the Wandle Trust trail map.