Part Four: Plough Lane to THE THAMES!

 

My Wandle Guide book says there is a roughly surfaced path but it’s now a ‘proper’ path. What can we spot? Firstly, in a tiny field on our left is a horse, looking a bit lonely. And there’s a huge electricity pylon with wires going across the River to a massive electricity substation. A little later there are some 1930s factory buildings with ‘saw-tooth’ roofs.  These are zigzag shaped roofs with glass panels facing north so that factory workers would get enough natural light in winter, but not direct sunlight in summer.  On the left, if you look up you can just see a huge stack of those metal barriers used at events such as Royal Weddings, Marathons, etc. If you’ve ever wondered where they come from, now you know – Wimbledon. Towards the end of this part there is a narrow strip of land with allotments on it, can you spot the shed that’s tumbling into the Wandle?

 

As you might have guessed, there were once several mills on this stretch of river. The most famous was Garrett Copper Mill, hence Garrett Lane, which manufactured brass items and copper utensils.  Apparently the mill here was ‘a monster, allegedly Europe’s second largest at one time.’ I’d LOVE to see that! There was also a chamois leather mill and a silk weaving works. There was also Garrett Print Works, but apparently that’s a different Garrett (bit of a coincidence if you ask me.) Modern industries have sprung up here: Car showrooms, light industry, DIY retailers, etc.

 

Next we come to Trewint Street which is in Borough of Wandsworth, the Garrett linseed oil mills stood here. The Wandle Guide Book says: ‘There is a proposal to open a new section of riverside path northwards from Trewint Street Bridge – this would save a long and unattractive diversion along the main road.’ It can’t come too soon! On the Bridge there’s a sign about the proposals, which points out that a sign saying ‘No’ isn’t very welcoming! Now we have to turn left to reach Garratt Lane; this is the second worst part of the Trail, I think. Follow this busy road under the railway bridge, then left into Penwith Road, which has a pub called The Wandle on the corner to remind us where we are. Here we cross the River and turn left into Strathville Road. Straight ahead we can see the River from Duntshill Road; several Wandle history books show this view at different times. This is of course an area bursting with mills in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries: parchment making, cloth printing, and ‘flock’ making; this is the manufacture of old rags and textiles into paper. There’s a road called Flock Mill Place nearby.

 

Now, instead of following the Trail along this road to King George’s Park, we can turn right into a brand new development of flats and then right again into Riverdale Drive, and we’re back on the River! Here we can see a former mill building, now tastefully converted into apartments, a lovely weeping willow and a vibrant green bridge!  The path leads to the Park which is yet another lovely big green space in the heart of south London. With the Wandle on our right, it’s a pleasant walk up to Kimber Road, passing a Fitness Centre and a skate park. Crossing into the upper part of King George’s Park, after a few hundred yards we can turn right onto a brick footpath over the River, which was the site of Henckell’s Iron Mill. The Wandle Guide says: ‘There were water powered mechanical hammers and giant shears which could cut through iron bars two inches thick.’ We are back in Garrett Lane, but not for long, turning left into Mapleton Road, back to the left bank and heading back to the Park.  This now becomes a recreational area: tennis courts, children’s playground, lake with a fountain. Exiting the park into Buckhold Road, we turn left with the huge Southside (formerly Arndale) Shopping Centre on the right, and Wandsworth High Street (A3) ahead, the VERY WORST part of the Trail. The noise and fumes of four lanes of traffic are such a contrast to our leisurely riverside stroll, but now we cross the road and turn right into Wandsworth Plain with its terrace of houses dated 1723, one of which has a sundial. The time is only correct when it’s GMT, not British Summer Time!  We can’t get anywhere near the River at this point, but under construction on the site of Young’s ‘Ram’ Brewery is a retail/housing/leisure area, these always look more attractive in the advertising poster, don’t they?

At the end of Wandsworth Plain we cross Armoury Way (confusingly the A3 again) and turn into The Causeway, where we can walk beside the now wide, fast flowing Wandle and a deep noisy weir. Very different from the gently tinkling sound of the infant Wandle.  As well as the highly successful Young’s Brewery (this has been a beer brewing site since 1576) there was once a flour mill and a ‘Brazil’ mill, nothing to do with nuts but for grinding Brazil wood to make a powder for dyeing cloth. Following the path until it crosses Bell Lane Creek we reach The Spit with its Blue pointy triangle sculpture.  We can now see the Wandle mouth, a few more yards and we’ve made it! Yes, we’ve followed this beautiful River through four London Boroughs, some lovely parks, peaceful nature reserves and fascinating heritage sites.  I’ve enjoyed researching, walking and writing about it, hope you’ve enjoyed reading this Blog.