Wandle Park in Colliers Wood, Merton

Wandle Park in Colliers Wood is very close to Colliers Wood station on the Northern line, and can be accessed from Merton High Street, or Byegrove Road. The park is one of the points along the Wandle Trail, and is in between Wandle Meadow Nature Park and Merton Abbey Mills.

This post contains everything you need to know about Wandle Park including a map, facilities, opening hours, and the history of the park.

Wandle Park Colliers Wood

Wandle Park Opening Times

Map of Wandle Park Merton

Facilities in Wandle Park

Wandle Park has a cafe, parking, and play area. The park is maintained and managed by Merton Council.

How Big is Wandle park?

Today Wandle Park in Merton occupies over 11 acres. It was once part of the estate of Wandle Bank House which was demolished in 1962.

History of Wandle Park

In the 18th century, this area of land was the grounds of Wandle Bank House. It was also the site of the Merton Corn Mill.

Two watercourses were created here (known as the Old River, and the New River), and a pond which was the corn mill’s reservoir.

The artificial water channel known as the “New River” helped to power the corn mill, and any surplus water from the pond flowed back through the “Old River”.

1791-1821

From 1791-1821 the house, grounds, and corn mill were owned by a man named James Perry. James Perry was the editor of the Morning Chronicle, and close friend of Admiral Lord Nelson.

Lord Nelson is believed to have visited his friend in Wandle Bank House on several occasions, which is why the park today forms part of the Nelson Trail.

1867-1895

After Perry died in 1821, the house and land went on to be owned by Harry Pollard Ashby, who lived at Wandle Bank House from 1857-1881.

Ashby’s daughter Alice married the philanthropist, Robert Bloomfield Fenwick who moved to the estate from 1867-1895.

Robert Fenwick had a vision of creating a permanent church in the Haydons Lane district, and was instrumental in the re-building of All Saints Parish Church. Fenwick’s father-in-law, Harry Pollard Ashby, was also one of the earliest benefactors of the church.

Today one of the stone fountains in the park commemorates both Robert Fenwick and Harry Pollard Ashby. That fountain is shown in the photograph below.

1907-2003

In 1907, the then 10 acre estate, was bought for £6,000 by Wimbledon Corporation, and turned into a public park.

Wandle Park was officially opened on 13 July 1907 by HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.

In 1910 the Mill Pond Garden was added to the park and presented to the National Trust.

In 1996, water was diverted from the River Wandle, and a reed bed and pond was built. The pond not only provides a habitat for wildlife, but also helps to reduce flooding downstream. The photograph below shows the water from the river passing through reed and watercress beds.

The park was re-designed in 2003.

Following the Wandle Trail

The River Wandle flows to the west of Wandle Park. If you are following the Wandle Trail from Wandle Meadow Nature Park, the path leads into Wandle Park via Byegrove Road. If you are coming from Merton Abbey Mills, then access to Wandle Park is via Merton High Street.

The park contains four bridges and various pathways that allow access to all parts of the park.

Plants and Wildlife in Wandle Park

A stream passes from the river through the park to a pond. This has lead to an increase in aquatic plants growing in the park. The watercress and common reeds growing from the marshland have attracted a wide variety of birds and dragonflies to the area.

Some of the birds that have been spotted in Wandle Park include little egrets and moorhens.

Is Wandle Park Safe?

In May 2022 new CCTV cameras were installed in Wandle Park. There are also patrols around the park by a new park ranger service to try and deter any anti-social behaviour. These safety improvements were included in a report by Merton council on the safety of women and girls in the area.

This post was about Wandle Park in Colliers Wood

Thank you for reading my post about Wandle Park in Colliers Wood. If you have visited the park please leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts. Wandle Park in Colliers Wood is in the London Borough of Merton in South London. It is close to the former site of the William Morris factory, and is a great place for walking. It is also a popular dog walking spot.