The Wandle trail is a path along the Wandle Valley from Croydon to Wandsworth following the river Wandle.  This river was a hub of industrial mills and printing with William Morris and Liberty owning factories on its banks.

We chose to start our 7.5 mile hike at Earlsfield and walk to Carshalton Ponds, avoiding some of the less salubrious parts. For the first hike of the new year, 20 hikers started out enjoying the mild (for this time of the year) weather with no indication of rain.  Being a cycle and walking trail, the going was good, with only one part being a bit muddy.  The route had many parts which were wooded with water fowl and it was easy to imagine we weren’t in London.

We crossed the Croydon Tram before stopping for lunch at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property with good facilities.  At this point 3 members chose to cut it short and alighted the Tram. 

The rest of us negotiated the upper reaches of the Wandle which were equally tranquil, only having to negotiate the fishermen (a good sign the river is in good condition).  After arriving at Carshalton Ponds (one of the sources of the Wandle), we the made our way to Carshalton Station with its frequent trains to London Bridge and Victoria.

In hindsight we were lucky and just missed the stormy weather which arrived that evening once safely home. 

Stephen

Photos by Ida and Stephen

Nineteen polyramblers met at Hammersmith Station on a cold, dry, misty morning.  After a quick safety briefing we headed towards the river Thames. 

We crossed the river via  Hammersmith Bridge, still undergoing repairs but open to pedestrians and joined the Thames Path to Putney Bridge.

We passed several boat yards that were closed, due to holiday season, so we were able to enjoy the river and some views, mist permitting. We were able to see Fulham Football Ground that has also undergone major refurbishment. 

We crossed Putney Bridge and had a packed lunch at Bishops Park. After a short lunch break we walked in the grounds of Bishops Palace with lovely wood carvings by Andrew Frost. 

The palace has an interesting history and I will be going back in the spring to see the museum and try out the tea shop.

We made our way back to the river, passing Fulham Football supporters. We passed the Blu River Cafe, saw the statue of Capability Brown and passed by Riverside Studios with its photographs of iconic pop stars before returning to Hamersmith Station.

Sunita

[Ed.- The walk was led jointly by Sunita and Jackie  C.]

Photos by Julia, Gillian, Rochelle and Chris

We set off from Waterloo on a fast train to Guildford and more walkers joined us at Clapham Junction.  I was really pleased there were 18 of us on what was an overcast day in late November.    I was worried about completing the walk before it got dark (sunset at 15:58) and perhaps I may have overdone it a bit during my short briefing in which I stressed that we needed to keep up a good walking pace. 

The station isn’t far from the river Wey which we followed south out of Guildford.  It wasn’t long before we were out in the countryside walking by a very full river with a weir to our right, noisy with rushing water.   The water meadows on the other side of the Wey were heavily flooded.   It was a relief to me to be back in nature and away from the traffic of the busy town.

After a while we left the banks of the river,  heading west, up a steep short hill and over a railway bridge to get to Sandy lane.  We then branched right and followed the North Downs Way climbing through a pleasant rural valley which headed towards Compton and lunch at the Watts Gallery.   It was not raining and we were quite warm so we stopped for a brief water break and to remove a layer of clothing.   Everyone was chatting and seemed happy and I was surprised to get to Watts Gallery about 20 minutes early.   So I need not have worried after all!

Most people had brought there own lunch and sat at the picnic tables outside. This was just as well since it was very busy in the tea room.   It’s a delightful place with a lovely shop and many of us enjoyed a pot of tea or cup of coffee after lunch.   This was originally a part of the Arts and Crafts movement and a pottery was opened here in the early 20th century by George and Mary Watts.  Currently there is a resident artist here and an art gallery which unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore.  After an hour we left and headed for Watts Chapel which is less than a 10 minute walk away.   Watts Chapel and the cemetery were well worth visiting.  The chapel is quite stunning and beautiful both inside and out.  It was built by Mary Watts with the help of the local villagers from Compton.   We paused to view Aldous Huxley’s grave before continuing on our walk.

We passed through a stud farm and then through a wood.  The path through the wood was very muddy in places but nowhere near what it had been like on my walkover a few days before.   Then there had been a stream running down the centre of the path!  Emerging from the wood I suggested we have a drinks break and various people said they would like either a brandy or a gin and tonic.  So witty!  None of which I had of course.  We then walked up a country lane to Polsted Manor and then forking right we headed up to Loseley Park.   There is an imposing and historic Mansion house here set in a big estate.  It is perhaps now more famous for Loseley ice cream but the house itself was once visited by Queen Elizabeth I.  The park is closed at this time of year so we skirted around it and passed by an ornamental lake which had recently been dredged.  We then continued east on a well marked path back to the river Wey and from there it was only a mile to Guildford.   We crossed over an attractive bridge and then walked between the river and the flooded meadows before arriving back at the A3100 on the outskirts of the town.

We had made good time and I needn’t have worried.   Some of us headed back to the station, others went for tea and cake and I joined a group who went to the White Lion for a well earned drink.

Leader: Chris

Photos by: Ida, Joyanna, Patricia, Lois and Hilary