South Walk

This winter walk will start at Carshalton station where you walk down to the historic Carshalton Ponds where you can see water birds swimming across the surface, travelling along the Wandle you will come across lots of historic mills lining the river bank.

Little egrets wade through the waters, as you travel down to Wilderness Island, a quiet sanctuary for birds and a great place to spot kingfishers, diving into the slow-running waters. From here you will continue to follow the Wandle down through woodlands until you cross into Morden Hall Park, a grand country estate filled with singing birds and historical architecture.  
 

Start point: Carshalton Station, SM5 2HW

End point: Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD

Length/time: 3.6 hours, 6.8 miles

Accessibility: Parts of the walk may not be accessible navigating narrow pathways.

Recommended footwear: Comfortable shoes, wellies/walking boots not essential as the route is predominantly paved paths, however some sections have muddier paths.

Wildlife to see: Familiarise yourself with our wildlife spotter sheet for this route

Walk Route

Walking Route: Carshalton Station to Morden Hall Park via the River Wandle

Section 1: Carshalton Station to Carshalton Ponds

1. Start at Carshalton Station:
   • Exit the station and turn left onto Station Approach.
   • Walk straight down until you reach North Street.
   • Turn right onto North Street and continue up the road.
2. Reach West Street Lane:
   • Take a right onto the pathway at West Street Lane.
   • Walk straight down the road and turn left onto West Street.
   • Follow West Street around until you reach Festival Walk.
3. Arrive at Carshalton Ponds:
   • Take a right down the path at Festival Walk to reach Carshalton Ponds.

Section 2: Carshalton Ponds to Wilderness Island

4. Enter Grove Park:
   • Walk into Grove Park via the main entrance on North Street.
   • Follow the path alongside the River Wandle, heading southeast.
   • Exit the park at the far end near Mill Lane.
5. Continue to Wilderness Island:
   • Turn left onto Mill Lane and walk briefly until you reach Butter Hill.
   • Cross Butter Hill using the pedestrian crossing to enter Wilderness Island Nature Reserve.
   • Follow the trail through Wilderness Island, staying close to the River Wandle.

Section 3: Wilderness Island to Hackbridge Community Gardens

6. Exit Wilderness Island:
   • Turn right onto Riverside Garden Street and follow the pathway as it curves left.
   • Continue walking until you see a side path adjacent to the reserve on your left.
   • Cross into this side path and follow it around to Hackbridge Community Gardens.
7. Hackbridge to Culvers Avenue:
   • Walk through Hackbridge Community Gardens onto Hackbridge Road.
   • Cross to the left-hand side and take the marked pathway with a blue sign showing pedestrians and bicycles.
   • Follow this pathway until you reach Culvers Avenue.
   • Cross the road and follow the pathway down the other side.

Section 4: Culvers Avenue to Watermead Nature Reserve

8. Through Watercress Park:
   • Continue along the pathway through Watercress Park.
   • Cross the bridge to the left-hand side of the river and bear right onto the pathway.
   • At the fork, bear right again and continue toward Middleton Road.
9. Middleton Road to Watermead Nature Reserve:
   • Cross Middleton Road onto the left side and continue down into Watermead Lane.
   • Follow Watermead Lane around, passing Poulter Park and Imperial Sports Ground on your left.
   • Enter Watermead Nature Reserve and follow the wooded pathway through the reserve.

Section 5: Watermead Nature Reserve to Morden Hall Park

10. Exit Watermead Nature Reserve:
    • Exit the reserve onto London Road.
    • Cross to the left side of London Road and walk down until you see a pathway leading off to the left.
11. Ravensbury Park:
    • Take this pathway down toward the river and follow it through Ravensbury Park.
    • Continue on the pathway until you reach Morden Road.
12. Morden Road to Morden Hall Park:
    • Cross Morden Road onto the left-hand side.
    • Walk up toward the Surrey Arms Pub.
    • On your left, enter Morden Hall Park to explore its wetlands, rose garden, and historic estate buildings.