Yes, we are back on the walk again, this time the halfway point and the most southern point of the entire walk. This time we are going from West Croydon Station to Morden Station. This what you can find along the way…
We started our journey back in Croydon at the end of the Silverlink Line and immediately set about finding coffee. The best reviews online for the area was for Matthew’s Yard and after a bit of confusion trying to find it preceded by a veeeeeeery long wait inside the busy, trendy shop, we got our drinks and set off. We are sorry if you live and love West Croydon, but we found it horrible, full of leering, threatening, drunks and addicts. It was dirty and we hurriedly escaped down Derby Road towards the Roman Way and into the Wandle Park to find the River Wandle which we would follow a lot during the day.
It was a lovely day, so any breeze from being near the water was welcomed. We crossed the park, taking in the sight of a fishing heron and exited via the Tram Stop, crossing the line (with care), we weaved back up and through a new residential development, still following the river. Cross the Purley Way and through the car park of the shopping centre, you turn down Mill Lane and pass a lake (which you can wander round – or Wandle around!) The southern tip of the lake would be the most southerly point of the entire Heart of London Walk! (otherwise the bend in the river a few hundred metres on has that honour!)
Continue along Mill Lane heading for the Wandle Path, this is a lovely stretch of walk alongside the river covered by large trees. Stay with the path, crossing Hillier’s Lane and taking photos of the little cottages and a very picturesque section of the river in Beddington Park.
Then, cross the large open park for the northern edge, there is the Pavillion Cafe here, a good place for toilets, but not for coffee or food. Following the fence at the top of the park all the way along to the west end.
This is Beddington Farmland and Nature Reserve and in the past (pre Covid) it used to be open to the public, but it was closed, because the reserve was constantly filled with stolen mopeds and bikes, that were then set on fire, as well as destructive locals set on hurting the wildlife. (You know British Chavs) So now instead you have to walk around the massive, open fields and lakes filled with waterfowl and Birds of Prey! and miss all of this.
Instead take the gravel path up the west side of the farm, there are a couple of observation points to view the lakes, but access to the Farmland is limited at this time. Midway along the path you’ll find a road out over the railway bridge, take this and follow the road west onto Hackbridge Road.
After a couple hundred metres, turn right on Riverbank Way and rejoin the river’s this is a lovely little section where the river flows alongside the path and is accessible -ideal for a hot dog needing a paddle to cool off! Again a chance to photograph some pretty scenes and watch the herons and maybe kingfishers fishing! Remember to post your pictures with the hashtag #cmhol so we too can see what you found!
The path passes Poulter Park, a massive open field with undulating hills and continues on until it turns into Watermeads Nature Reserve.
The river splits around an island here and you can walk either way, taking in the serenity and the wildlife above and below – look out for nesting eagles – before carrying on along the Wandle Path and into Ravensbury Park.
We were pushed for time and it was already getting dark when we did the walk but the park can be walked around for a more casual route, or just keep following the river until you get to the Morden Road.
Now, if it is near or past 5pm, turn left and follow Morden Road around to the big roundabout, cross this carefully and exit up Bayman Road, following the residential road to the end and then turn left to find the High Road and the station in front of you.
If you are here before 5pm and you can still see! turn right and cross back into Morden Hill Park and follow the river, then turn left into Morden Hall and the rose garden, go around the house, (as entrance is expensive) and rejoin the road and turning left onto the High Road to find the station on the right thus ending Section 12 of the CMHoL
Well there we go another section of the great walk of London, taking you to new places! Come back next time when we head towards Richmond! Remember to post your photos of the section to Social Media with the Hashtag #CMHOL
Climbing Moss 