River Wandle Walk | London's Industrial River - Carshalton to Wandsworth (4K)

River Wandle Walk | London's Industrial River - Carshalton to Wandsworth shot in 4K. I'm joined on this walk by Professor Kate Spencer.
In 1805 the Wandle was said to be the ‘hardest worked river for its size in the world’ - by 1831 there were 90 mills along the Wandle.
Our walk along the beautiful River Wandle starts at Carshalton Ponds in the London Borough of Sutton. This chalk stream passes through a number of beautiful parks and nature reserves - Poulter Park, Ravensbury Park, and Morden Hall Park, passing through Hackbridge, Merton, Wimbledon, Summerstown, and Earlsfield, finishing the walk at the confluence of the Wandle and The Thames at Wandsworth.
Thanks to Professor Kate Spencer
Music:
Amber by Yen
Fresh Fallen Snow by Chris Haugen
Map Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
Related video: Chess Valley Walk - Buckinghamshire chalk stream • Chess Valley Walk - Ri...
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[@christown2827]

After a long hiatus the reconstitued version of Wimbledon FC (AFC Wimbledon) returned to the London Borough of Merton in a newly built stadium in Plough Lane.

[@niels.brouwer]

I love that walking/hiking is 'wandelen' in Dutch, so the River Wandle Walk would be the 'Rivier de Wandle wandeling'. Couldn't be more appropriate of a river for this channel!

[@andyjota8906]

Excellent knowledge no wind mills tho what a shame

[@glenndrewett3735]

John, I lived in Earlsfield at one time and often went to Wandsworth, a common site was Youngs horse drawn drays used to deliver beer to local Youngs pubs, I moved to Carshalton from Wanswoth, and the Greyhound was my local for several years, It was almost as common to see cars, vand lorries and on one occasion a double decker Bus in the ponds as ducks. Really enjoyed the walk it brought back some nice memories

[@westcountrywanderings]

Wow! This was a fabulous walk and river explore. Didn't realise that the River Wandle was so wide, nor so clear, through South London. Professor Kate was a knowledgeable walking companion. Glad your leg injury is now healing well. Thanks John.

[@simonarmstrong83]

One dark night, back in the nineties, we made the long trek from Leytonstone and Clapton to see the installation ceremony for that bell. The wonderful arts organisation Platform was involved, who, amongst other things, do great work concerning urban rivers. There were a couple of pints of Youngs afterwards in The Crane, I think.

[@phileades8017]

Enjoyed this episode on the “Secret” walks series, it was great that you had a distinguished and knowledgeable guest of the prof, She added to the narrative beautifully. Thankyou for taking me back to the river of my youth ❤️

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

What a wonderful walk, really interesting/fascinating as always, thanks John and Prof. Kate Spencer

[@JimNicholls]

A brilliant walk, John, made even better by your guest, and probably my favourite of your river walks. Thank you!

[@howdymartin6258]

John - another great walk and Kate was a joy. You mention (Paul) Merton and Wandsworth and there is another more obtuse connection. Many years ago my mother worked in a psychiatric hospital in Epsom with a woman who's son was sending jokes to the BBC and famous comedians such as Bob Monkhouse trying to make his way in comedy... that boy was Paul Merton. And to bring Wandsworth into the equation, the hospital was Long Grove - one of five such hospitals in Epsom established by London Boroughs in Victorian times to treat psychiatric patients in a country setting. And the London Borough that set up Long Grove? Wandsworth. Thanks again John - looking forward to the next episode.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

brilliant story Martin - thanks for sharing

[@davidjohnson00001]

Wow, that takes me back. After university, not certain of my career path, I worked at West Park hospital. Very touching to realise the human condition could have such ups and downs for individuals, especially for young people with drug-induced psychosis.

[@mamnisel4815]

Lovely and informative walk with you and the Professor with a glorious sunset to finish.Very good for the soul John!!!

[@margaretross5318]

Thank you John ,my son and daughter in law lived on Penwith Rd just along from the end of your walk and I now understand the name of the pub and so much more about the Wandle River . So many connections made with all your walks.😁

[@johnhughes7722]

John i grew up in merton and Morden 1953-1968.This brought back many memories like going on the boats in ravensbury park to mushroom picking with my dad in Morden hall park.As a footnote our back garden backed on to the Pyl brook which runs into the Beverly brook and on to the Thames.The Pyl brook varied from a couple of inches deep to about 6 feet deep after heavy rain which used to flood the gardens and you would surely drown if you fell in.Look forward to the next walk,wherever that may be.

[@redfred70]

Lovely video John. I grew up here, now in Essex, so it was lovely to see my old manor ! Cheers.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Fred - glad I could take you back there

[@harleythesalami6956]

Been looking forward to this one! That stretch from Colliers Wood to Morden got me through the first lockdown.

[@ianmaddams9577]

I’m so glad you finally done this walk John and with the great knowledgeable Prof Kate spencer. I’m hoping to do this walk after my recovery. So much history along this beautiful river and some real lovely specimen fish in the water as it’s so clean. Thank you for taking us with you. 👍🏻

[@grandreveler]

I watch your vlogs to the end every time because I never know what gem you will drop in at the last minute. This time, it was the Wandsworth shield which I had never heard of. Another great vlog John, come them coming!

[@stashedawayman1521]

The noble tree at 20:45 is a "London Plane", Platanus xhispanica a hybrid between two species, perhaps P. occidentalis and P. orientalis and thus preceded by a multiplication sign. First recorded about 1663 and widely planted as a parkland and street tree on account of its tolerance to atmospheric pollution and severe pruning. A tree often found within city squares.

[@rob-henderson7322]

I really enjoyed this one John, thank you. I remember watching Wimbledon FC practicing near Roehampton and watching Vinny Jones circa 1995 ish.

[@disenchantedwanderer9033]

I absolutely loved watching this video. Brilliant. Many thanks Roger!!! Its the combo history, etymology, being outside, seeing new things, walking, nature, the interaction of people with land and places. Your videos should be compulsory viewing for all school children, to get our youth back to the roots of the earth, and away from games consoles.

[@john80c]

When it started I thought you were going through one of those beautiful villages on the fringe of London and yet it was formerly packed with industry and pollution. Although the loss of jobs is sad, some of those industries have changed for the better and it is great to see the vast improvements made to the area.

[@helenrushful]

Glad you did this. if you want an even more 'hidden' river that connects with the Wandle perhaps you could try the Graveney (which become Norbury Brook), It flows through my allotment, so happy to show you about, Mitcham is one of the few parishes to still carry on the 'preambulations' which access' our allotments (the only private allotments in Britain I believe), another feature is Roe Bridge which dates back to Roman times. The Graveney is a truly culverted river, with very few natural parts, but its generally above ground and and interesting walk I think. Though I have no idea what its source is, despite having attempted to find out.

[@grandmasterbeats9732]

LOVE THE MUSIC IN YOUR VIDEOS AS ALWAYS JOHN ITS SO SOOTHING...

[@andyperry7884]

beautiful walk...but eco disaster...put a river in a concrete ditch...let the trees grow on the edge....are there any fish???...65yrs ago there were masses of minnows in carshalton ponds...they drained and engineered under them....the collapse of insects has devastated wildlife...but of course this walk was just a thin ribbon of illusion...i weep, my fish ..insects..birds ..are dying in front of my eyes,,,from wild rural Wales...the people in the cities havent realised yet...

[@Gregdotgreg]

Recently started watching your videos. If you're ever down Coulsdon or Farthing Downs way again, there's still a section of embankment of the Surrey Iron Railway still extant near to Coulsdon South station

[@samskidoodle4768]

Thank you for another thoroughly enjoyable walk, John - I'm now inspired to explore the Carshalton to Merton stretch. And yes, there's always a discernible former sewage works whiff as you follow the river between Merton High Street towards Plough Lane. There's enough history in the Merton patch alone to warrant a meander in its own right. It's worth visiting the Merton Priory Chapter House www.mertonpriory.org/ near the Sainsbury's carpark (!) to learn more about the area's historical significance. And oh, the delight to discover - on this lacklustre summer Solstice day - that the confluence of the Wandle and the Thames was/is deemed a sacred spot.

[@blisterfeet]

Great to see this wandle visit. The stretch from Croydon has interesting urban feel to it. Thanks to you both John and Kate

[@2H80vids]

I wonder John, how many people would have identified the closing scene at 45:50 as being the Thames in London - not may, I bet. Great walk but I struggled a wee bit to keep up with you two. This one was quite hard to follow on the map, maybe because there were so few street names with you being on the Wandle Trail. I always find it weird that these lovely, rural locations are in the middle of Overground stations and London buses. We never think of London as green and leafy - maybe we should.👍😁

[@highpath4776]

Under the railway bridge on Mead Path that was probably the route of the Surrey Iron Railway. The concrete area at the ex Sewage works should be about where the Graveney joins the Wandle

[@misterwibble6411]

William Morris was also a director of the world’s largest arsenic producer, the Devon Great Consols mine near Tavistock, an open-cast mine/blight on the landscape, from 1871 to 1875,

[@highpath4776]

Morris took over the site of Amery's Copper Mill in Merton High Street (later Reeds Paper Mill), for the printing of textiles mainly. One of my mum's uncles was a pattern cutter (sometimes outworker) and printer I think for Morris, but it might have been for Littler's (later taken over by their main customer , Liberty of London - the works of Liberty became part of the Courtholds textile group I think).

[@markhancock7527]

The white building you filmed at Butter hill near wilderness island was a snuff mill i believe. Wilderness island i believe has never been built on & opposite the island is strawberry lodge which is an original wandle mansion. The river from Beddington to wilderness island has alot of Kingfishers little egret & Herons.

[@parasinthephilippines]

Based in Dubai but being born and bread close to the Youngs Brewery. Lovely little ramble.

[@melissaquinn1296]

William Morris didn't use aniline dyes as he wanted to make the dyeing process as natural as possible. He also didn't like the too bright colours that were a result of chemical dyes. He went back to the traditional natural dyes as much as he could, e.g. indigo. He was aware of the effect of pollution and tried as much as he could to minimize his contribution.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for that info Melissa

[@Theoobovril]

Nice seeing you do a walk accompanied by a learned guest, John. Perhaps make this a regular once a month feature event having a guest accompanying you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s a good idea Theo

[@martinjames9250]

Eau-de-Wandle! Quote of the day. --- Have to say, I didn't even know where Carshalton was. No knowledge of the area so all very interesting. I even went past the confluence a few years ago, completely oblivious! Great video once more. Thank you.

[@jazzman9042]

Another superb walk with stunning scenery and unfolding history. Great job John & Kate .AAA+++

[@Fees-Shed]

In the Uk unfortunately, clean rivers mean lost industry. But it makes a lovely walk 🙁

[@suecondon1685]

Ah, the Greyhound. An idyllic boozer 😊

[@samoinborut1339]

Looking at this part of London from Slovenia wishing to be able to travel. Thank you.

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

John and Kate thank you again for another lovely walk. Happy Fathers Day from the U.S.A. Phoenix,AZ. Also Happy Summer Solstice.🌞

[@JohnRogersWalks]

cheers Scott all the way over there in Pheonix - Happy Solstice to you too

[@philbarrance]

My old stomping ground born and bred in croydon! My grandad was the keeper in waddon waterworks

[@MarqEnglish]

Ah gutted, I was meant to contact you and suggest taking you on this Walk as I've done a couple of Videos along The Wandle Trail over the last couple of years. Lovely Video John and seeing my Hometown of Carshalton in all its glory is a bonus.

[@terryflynn1956]

What a wonderful treat for Fathers Day , a truly magical river borne out of industry but now flowing majestically through a beautiful trail that held my interest throughout. Thanks John and Professor Kate for this walk . Yes thoroughly enjoyed A River called Wandle. 😊👍

[@davidjohnson00001]

Great video, with balance and interest throughout. You may have walked 12 miles but the editing made it the right pace. Stay safe.

[@Raysasharp]

Thanks for the great video which brings back wonderful memories for me as I lived in Carshalton, (which I love) for over fifty years (I'm now in my 70's), and my local pub was 'The Greyhound' opposite Carshalton Ponds which you show. B.P. Chemicals had a factory on the Wandle in Mill Lane, Carshalton, and they regularly poluted the river. On each occasion they were fined by the council to fund the clean ups but it was too late for all the dead fish that were seen floating on the surface - some lovely large trout amongst them. I didn't see a single fish in the river during your walk, though apparently stocks have improved, thankfully.

[@spodokomodo5468]

Thankyou for doing this walk. I am lucky to live in Carshalton and your walks inspired me to explore the river only recently. I look forward to walking further along this beautiful river.

[@Glazier-nm4gn]

So interesting... But you missed a bit of folklore... In Carshalton ... Anne Boleyns well , where allegedly the horse she was riding struck the soil and a spring Sprung" up.... There is a statue/figurine of her on the corner of a building. Quite colourful.... My parents were married in that beautiful church in Carshalton and had their reception in the Greyhound pub... Poulters park we played in as kids , visiting our Grandparents on the massive St Helier estate .. The Wandle in the sixties/early seventies just stunk and was not nice .. Cant describe the smell but it was kind of industrial / chemical and dank...

[@JTTW1455]

The parkland was so soothing compared to Wandsworth.. love when you mention film and TV / personalities that I can check out! Enjoyed that thank you!

[@youngmurphy7556]

I refuse to acknowledge the Carshalton "arm" of the Wandle as the Wandle. Being a Croydon resident only the "arm" rising in Wandle Park is the actual thing. The brook that emerges at Carshalton Ponds should be properly known as the Wrythe, hence the name of the district that is beside it. P.S. I'm only pretending to be indignant. The name doesn't really matter. I wrote this with tongue in cheek and a cheeky glint in my eye. However, I do have this Wikipedia entry to back me up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Wandle#The_River_Wrythe I also suspect that the channel you saw just past the railway bridge with graffiti close to Plough Lane is the River Graveney (from Norbury Brook) emerging from its many culverts beneath Tooting.

[@youngmurphy7556]

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the Graveney. Here's Feargal Sharkey (real one? idk) tweeting about it with pictures from that very stretch of the river. twitter.com/Feargal_Sharkey/status/1221067734030716928?s=20

[@highpath4776]

Carshalton Ponds are interesting as you can see the water bubble up, sometimes the river is even further along toward the follies of the next park depending on rainfall. the wandle swings down toward Beddington Grange, though I have worked in the industrial bit of the Wandle in Croydon which John needs to go back and mini-explore - maybe combining it with whitgift etc and croydon church and so on.

[@youngmurphy7556]

@@highpath4776 Not so sure that section of the Wandle needs a visit in relation to this episode. As for bundling it in with a Croydon town centre exploration, it's mostly culverted in that area. On your industrial part of the Wandle up the Croydon end, apart from skimming the industrial/retail estates near Beddington, it's mostly residential or parkland, the most scenic bits being Waddon Ponds, Beddington village and Beddington Park. If he wants to wander through Croydon, I'd head for Lloyd Park, Addington Hills, Croham Hurst and then maybe Riddlesdown/Kenley or Happy Valley. Well, that's where I usually head off if I want somewhere local and a bit scenic.

[@highpath4776]

@@youngmurphy7556 Well its just for completeness of the river area, the Whole North Wood area is a big explore

[@davefave4351]

@@youngmurphy7556 Yes, it is indeed the real Feargal, a dedicated, hardcore campaigner for water quality - I believe he is now a flyfisher!

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Wonderful Wandle! Such an amazing walk and as you noted because it is within London just makes this video so special. Very scenic and beautiful landscape, the reclamation from industry has been well done. In many spots it looks as though the river was always as it is today. Thanks for all the history and local knowledge.

[@henryharesdene4164]

I'm not watching the whole of this informative video, because The Management will shortly command my appeareance at today's evening meal (yum, yum), however think on this - at the outward end full of all unimaginable 'stuf' this little stream disgorges it output into The Thames a WandlesWorth where Young's Brewery extracted the liquor to make an excellent Brew of Beer. Great to think the output of folks at Croydon team together to make a palatible brew of an Amber Nectar that was transported by horse to folks of Putney, Esher and mebe beyond.....

[@EdLeslie-h4w]

I remember as a little lad back in the day late 50s early 60s going to Wandsworth swimming baths in Wandsworth High Street and the smell from the river as it went out into the Thames... Not nice.

[@histmanuk]

A great walk for the most part which I did yesterday. I can see why you started from Carshalton Ponds because I struggled to find the route between East Croydon station and Beddington Park. The section from Carshalton to Morden Park was the most satisfying. Thanks for the video which encouraged me to come down for the day from Derby to do the walk. I knew the Wandsworth section well because I was brought up in Summerstown and Earlsfield.

[@highpath4776]

Carshalton - Kerss (Cress) Ewell (River or Spring) Tun - Settlement, The Settlement on the River Bearing Watercress ( see Ewell, Surrey for the Hogsmill, and Alton, Hants, for more Cress

[@Oldgit60]

I know that it’s no Mississippi, Nile or even Thames, but the Wandle was the river that I grew up a stones throw away from, on the fringe of the St Helier estate. Thanks for this. Edit…The estate in Hackbridge is called Mill Green.

[@jerryjungle5717]

I used to play in/on the Wandle as a kid, 55 years ago. Also used to play in/ on the river Graveney that joins the Wandle. The River Graveney heads west through parts of Streatham and bits of Tooting, one neighbourhood of which bears the river's name, before entering the River Wandle round the back of Lambeth Cemetery. For a large part of the way it defines the boundary between Wandsworth and Merton, and has been an administrative dividing line since the Domesday Book.

[@markhancock7527]

Good video you need to read a book called the wandle companion to givs you the history.The big mill at wandle bank road was Connelly mill & they made the leather for Rollsroyce & Aston martin cars there.The New houses in Hackbridge are built on the site of Mullards factory which built TVs & Radios for Phillips at one point i also believe they made the robots that blew up unexploded bombs.The canal & grotto is in carshalton park the other side of carshalton high street.

[@leigh409]

Growing up on Garrett Lane between Tooting and Earlsfield this brought back some great memories of the area. Thanx you so much John and Professor Kate Spencer.

[@pennydavies6134]

I used to live there , I love your Channel , recently discovered it and I’m hooked , currently binge watching all of them xxx

[@Gizzzzzy]

There's old pictures of elephants bathing in Carshalton ponds online, oh and that place at 08:51 was a mill, it had a huge water wheel attached for many years, in that same spot was the BP spillage in the 80s so the river died for a few years

[@benjamindenton]

You were jolly near the Falconbrook although nothing to be seen now except the trademark valleyed roads adjacent to Wandsworth Common.

[@dave4728]

My gran used to live on Summerley st with the rear of the house backing onto the Wandle where the railway line crossed. Back in the 70's and 80's when I used to visit, the Wandle was a mess, pollution and rubbish everywhere. Glad it looks so good now.

[@jameswarner5809]

A couple of places along the route I was thinking: 'Why on earth did you go that way?'. Take the right fork of the river at Hackbridge and you avoid the housing estate detour and stick by the river through Watermeads Nature Reserve, rather than taking the left path by the plant covered pond.

[@biffothebare1]

John you mentioned the Surrey Iron Railway during your walk. Did you realise that you crossed it earlier in the walk? It is now the Wimbledon/Croydon tramway in parts.

[@andrewbowyer7237]

As a youngster I would be paid by the fish and chip shop for clean newspaper.. I would spend the money hiring a rowing boat ion the Wandle in Ravensbury Park.

[@nekro9t2]

Shame you didn't spend more time looking around The Ram Quarter. The other side of the flats where the old Youngs Brewery was has been redeveloped quite nicely and now Sambrooks brewery have moved in. There is also a museum of industry to be opened on the river path which will highlight some of the features you mentioned on your walk. Most of the redevelopment in Wandswoth is ghastly and looks out of place but I think they did a good job with the Ram Quarter.

[@elainegrout2673]

Hi I’m so pleased to see you went to Carshalton ponds. I have lots of memories there of when I was a child my grandad and nan lived in Mitcham which is close by and you can walk along the river to get to Mitchum. My mum use to take my brother and I for a long stroll with our fishing nets on a bamboo stick and we use to fish for the little fish in the river I recall panicking a lot trying to get them out the net once I’d caught one. My nan and granddad got married at the church at carshalton ponds just after the war not long after my mother was born and she was brought up in the area. Years down the line they got a Victorian house in Mitcham which was defiantly haunted I always would be frightened of a night time to go to bed up the steep stairs worst bit the toilet in the 80’s was still on the outside of the house with just a glass lean-to on the back of the house. Plus the bath was in the kitchen under a board used as the kitchen work top. It was in that house I discovered I could see ghosts when my nan died when I was 10yrs old my nan died would often pick up on her being a round me she was age 50 at the time of dying same age I am now . Ive been sharing my ability of linking with those in the sprit realm for a number of years I now do it professionally now thanks to my experience of my early years. I get to do a lot of mind travel of place’s memories that the spirit person is trying to show me to tell the recipient and I have to be vigilant I get to experience snippets of places that i have to describe quickly. I digress from the topic i first had pop in my mind which was mentioning how lovely the church is I managed to go in one time to have a nose about I took some good photography’s of the elaborate headstones for one of my art degree project last year,oh and my granddad wanted his ashes scattered in the ponds this wasn’t achieved because its against the law to do this ridiculous.I live in wickford in Essex the river crouch runs through the town and use to flood the high st. When i go off on the long distance to demonstrate mediumship at Wimbledon spiritualist church i always stop at carshalton ponds and sit on my favourite and reminisce. Thanks for the walk From Elaine😊

[@charleydavidson69]

Thanks for your videos. Loved this Wandle Walk. Used to live in Morden and this brought back lovely memories.

[@pauldear6660]

The tall wall just after the railway bridge (covered in graffiti) is where the river Graveney joins the Wandle. From the bridge in Penwith rd where you can see a small wall in the middle of the Wandle, that wall is what remains of a cofferdam. The wall was built in the 1960s. They built a partition down the middle of the river and blocked it off at both ends on one side and drained it so that the river could still flow on the other side of the partition while they deepened the channel along the partitions length to help combat flooding. They built a concrete wall the length of the partition and then removed the partition. They then removed the end of the walls to allow the river to flow in the new deeper channel and then blocked the other side of the wall and drained it to deepen that half of the river. They then removed the end walls but left the middle wall and it has been there ever since (why ? I don't know). There was talk of them removing the centre wall but it would have cost too much and so they left the river split in two on that section. The Graveney starts off as Norbury Brook in Norbury and runs behind the houses the length of Southcroft rd (halfway down Southcroft, turn left into Eastbourne rd and you will see the Graveney over the wall of the humped bridge) and turns left across Sealey rd (there is another humped bridge) near the Mitcham rd junction and then turns right behind the houses in Longley rd mainly under ground in a concrete channel but reappears briefly on the junction of Colliers Wood high St and Robinson rd, under the high St into Waterfall rd, along the railway until it joins the Wandle.

[@Hewbuntu]

Many years ago I used to live in Millside (11:38). FYi, the next place along was not an industrial estate but a Brutalist council estate that was knocked down about 10 -15 years ago and replaced with the flats you see there now.

[@patriciadodman1284]

Great walk John really enjoyed it and what interesting and knowledgable company.

[@hArtyTruffle]

Hard to make out what that huge, majestic tree is from here. If the bark is flaking and the leaves are similar to sycamore, it might be a plane tree? But can’t really tell. I’d have to get closer images. They can grow really tall. They’re a very common tree in London due to their capacity to deal with pollution well.

[@TrevRaynsford]

Really enjoyed this video. Coming from Mitcham, it brought back a lot of happy memories.

[@liamski]

Lovely video thank you. I'm planning to do similar shortly as I live 10 minute walk from Morden Hall Park

[@mickeyfubar69]

there are lots off hiddon escape tutnels in carshalton that led to certain places off safety much older than 1600 I have been in them I am shor you no sum off them but no one no's about the undiscovered tunnels I am shore you dont no off .well me and a frend know about a top secret tunnel and you can see it lol .here is a clue look inside water outlets but which one Good luck on that i will one day tell Carshalton Heritage Museum so as to get help to open it up it will be an adventure with an unknown discoveries .you can come and help if you wish. i have lived by the pond in the grove all my life . Thank you so much for bringing Carshalton to life.🙏❤🙏 there were still trout there when I was a lad untill thay stop the natural river flow from its source 40yeas ago we still had them at deep end Off the ponds bye the mill 3to2foot long play may have been the original fish the larst generation off the ponds all gone now .😢😥 I hate Thames Water

[@dhdavidholloway]

Of course it was Terry Wogan who made Carshalton Pond famous with his never ending stories about what was found there. So funny.

[@rupertferguson9673]

Right on the Scorpio Effigy of the Kingston Zodiac!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

it must've been calling me Rupert

[@Aengus42]

I bet Arrested Development didn't know that Mr. Wendle was Anglo Saxon before this video!

[@EdLeslie-h4w]

Another park we would go to for a swim was St George's Park Swimming bath.

[@joetowner249]

Have done this walk a few recently times and it also took me by surprise! Great views and very few diversions. The ending at The Spit is a very satisfying place to finish a walk as well.

[@highpath4776]

I dont really recall getting to where the wandle meets the Thames , I think a lot of land was private, some part being ex Lead Mills.

[@colinsaunderson6682]

really good ..

[@sharktails6468]

and barking abby

[@jeffreybail353]

hi guys great vid. have you research mudfloods and starforts this is also very facinating when you realize it is in plainsight everwhere.

[@luminar5]

Do enjoy the walks were you invite someone along, they add to the walk just like Kate,more please wherever it may be.

[@keithdart9254]

John, You missed merton Abbeys remains which is just by merton Abbey mill.

[@colinricgmailcom]

Lady Hamilton's House was at 138 Piccadilly.

[@adamj6113]

Not related but did you see that the River Rom burst its banks yesterday and there was a Tornado in Barking? Madness.

[@garymcguire8529]

Fantastic walk along a chalk stream, but the River Colne is better.

[@DzogChen2]

I am Carshalton born and bred! I paddled in the Wandle at Wilderness Island as a kid - I fished for sticklebacks and paddled little boats in Ravensbury Park! Lovely video John! So much part of my past!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks for sharing those wonderful childhood memories

[@thomasattwood2534]

Loved this one, have you done the hogsmill River? Think it has the oldest bridge in London

[@andyevans1187]

The steep sided channel at 32 minutes is the river Graveney which runs down from Tooting Common under Tooting. An important storm drain which really fills up after heavy rain.

[@pauldear6660]

You are correct about where the Graveney meets the Wandle, but the Graveney does not run down from Tooting Bec common as far a I am aware. I know that it comes down from Norbury and Crosses Mitcham lane and then runs down behind the houses on Southcroft rd (which you can see from Eastbourne Rd where there is a little humped bridge). Then as far as I am aware it runs behind the houses on Longley Rd. Then turn left onto the bridge where Tooting high st becomes colliers Wood high st. Just over the bridge on the left at the junction with Roninson rd, you will get another glimpse of the Graveney. It then crosses the high St under ground into Waterfall rd. I think it then follows the railway line until it meets the Wandle. Much of the Graveney is under ground and is mostly in concrete channels as you will see from Eastbourne rd where I used to go down and play as a kid.

[@robinjones6999]

A lot of the water to the ponds come from up near Oaks Park. Also the ponds now have a concert bottoms

[@cowardsallaround98]

The river Wandle is a pain to the residents of morden especially the Hillcross area 😠

[@philburdett]

Lovely stuff as ever sir...good info from the prof. too!

[@JacyEcy]

Great episode but do find out more about the Grotto Canal. It is located in Carshalton Park and is a southern tributary to the Carshalton Wandle however it was not a 'navigable' canal, it was just the name for this decorative man-made waterway.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I will indeed John - fascinating area

[@rickvxy9681]

We live near Morden hall park, it’s beautiful

[@davidkay6655]

Hope they don't turn tap off in that cottage or river I'll dry up 😂🖖

[@zivkovicable]

Shame about the almost daily sewage spills.

[@georginacox7292]

Barking has just had a tornado. Carshalton is where I was born