The Wandle Trail

I haven't tried this trail out yet, in fact I only just found out about it, and only then because it's not featured in the Rough Guide to Walks in London and Southeast England. Someone doing a review of the book was rather annoyed that their favourite walk wasn't included and being the curious person I am , I decided to investigate.



The Wandle Trail is a good one day walk for a seasoned walker as it's 14 miles long (20km) and it gets its name from the River Wandle which it follows from Croydon to the Thames at Wandsworth.



Having walked loads in and around London with my East End Girls - http://www.walkerscoach.com/meeting_others.htm I'm not at all surprised to hear that the walk "allows you to enjoy the heritage, flora and fauna of this typical chalk stream in the heart of some of south London’s most industrialised landscape".



The trail is mainly off-road and passes through the London Boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth. As it's in built up areas there are of course points where you can access public transport and there are numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants where you can have a break and recharge. There are also local attractions such as Merton Abbey Mills, Deen City Farm and Wandsworth Museum and the Wandle Trail Art Programme is providing numbered gateways, viewing platforms and distinctive waymarkers. A travelling ‘waste wall’ will be the focus of community rubbish collection events - Wandle Trail arts website . In fact it sounds like the kind of trail you could do bot by bit over a number of weekends to take everything in.



The river has been used since the industrial revolution and is dotted with mills, offering glimpses into local history. More than ten parks and green spaces lie on the route, providing a great opportunity to see local wildlife and escape the hustle and bustle of south west London.



The Wandle Trail partners (the London Boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth, Groundwork Merton and Sustrans) have published a map leaflet which shows links to other cycle routes and public transport - Wandle Trail leaflet and map


Finally there are places where the ground is uneven which makes the trail difficult for wheelchair users and even those with prams but improvement work is in progress. The leaflet describes alternative routes for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, where necessary.