London Cycling Guide, Updated Edition by Tom Bogdanowicz

Author:Tom Bogdanowicz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

The Windmill on the Common at Clapham Common is one of the busiest pubs in London.

Wandle Mills

The River Wandle was once London’s hardest-working river, with mills along it that ground corn and produced paper, oil, calico and snuff. Some 50 mill sites have been identified but very few survive. The river and the parks along it make an ideal leisure ride, which is being constantly improved by the work of local councils, Sustrans, and Merton and Wandsworth LCC members. The route starts at East Croydon station and ends at Wandsworth Town station. It follows the Wandle River throughout, with some minor diversions where the river bank is not accessible. Much of the route is well marked as National Cycle Network NCN20 but there are gaps in signage and, on occasion, two choices are marked – here the better options are presented. A weekend ride in the summer will enable you to see the stalls and music at Merton Mills.

1. Turn right out of East Croydon station down George St and cross the busy dual carriageway to the pedestrian and tram zone (watch out for the tram tracks). On Saturdays, bike fanatics may wish to visit Roberts Cycles, one of the last custom bike makers in London and a producer of true exotica.

2. Past the medieval almshouses, the Hospital of the Holy Trinity, is a short walking section down Crown Hill.

3. Church Street takes you down a no-through-road (for cars) to the parish church of St John the Baptist, which was reconstructed in the Victorian period. You cross underneath the road through a foot tunnel and head straight on.

4. Bike signs marked on the road itself direct you down Waddon Road and Mill Lane until you reach the source of the river Wandle at Waddon Ponds, from where you follow a bridle path.

5. At the corner of Wandle Road is the first mill building on the route (marked Wandle Mill) built as a flour mill and bakery.

6. At the busy Hilliers Lane (the B272) cross into Guy Road, then go a little way uphill and turn right into Church Lane. A shared-use path takes you to the medieval church of St Mary’s, which has a fine Norman font. Next door is Carew Manor and its large brick dovecote. Return to the marked cycle path with signs for NCN20, which brings you to a car park.

7. You turn left across the bridge, using the pavement, to follow the cycle route across the busy London Road, heading for the Rose and Crown (with bike stands). There you can take the shorter Butter Hill route or the more winding NCN20 route via Westcroft Road and a housing estate behind the Westcroft Leisure Centre.

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