Croydon Ducks - Morden Hall Park

Croydon Ducks - Morden Hall Park - 2011

Latest update:4th November 2011

External Links: National Trust Goggle Map River Wandle Trust Wikipedia

Morden Hall Park is owned by the National Trust, and is between Wimbledon and Mitcham, but with a Croydon Tramlink station
Phipps Bridge at the north of the park.

The main entrance is from Morden Hall Road with a large free car park adjacent to a garden centre in the park and cafe, with many
other entrances around the park. The 125 acre park is a mix of open landscape, formal gardens and woodland beside the river.

The river Wandle runs through the park, with various diversions into smaller streams and lakes, and a waterwheel for an old snuff mill.
There is a major renovation and conservation project around the stable yard and mill. The river starts near Waddon Ponds, and flows
on the surface from Beddington through Beddington Park, Poulter Park, Ravensbury Park, Morden Hill Park, Wandle Park, Wandle
Meadows Nature Park, Garrett Park, King George's Park and into the Thames in Wandsworth.

17th August 2011, the remaining mill waterwheel on the river Wandle, currently being renovated, with the bridge from the car park, cafe
and stable block into the main park. This appears to be the main river, but there are also smaller flowing streams in the park. Have not
yet found a decent map of the park, nor explored all the rivers.

Looking out across the main park, tramline beyond the distant trees.

The river Wandle with paths either side, no water fowl around here.

The river toward the eastern end of the park, heavily bordered by trees. The river is fast flowing, bread was keeping up with us
as we walked along the path, making feeding difficult for the Moorhens along here. It's also shallow with a good solid rock bottom,
so suitable for dog paddling.

The river opens up into a larger pond, with a lot of Mallards.

There is also an island for safety, not sure what's behind the high wall behind the river.

This part of the park is quiet, so Mallards sitting on the grass.

Feeding time for the Mallards, several came clambering over the branches on the island into the water for food.

The main river continues in the tress on the far left, with a small stream split off here running through the formal rose garden, which in
August was heavily occupied by picnicking families with kids padding in the stream, but too busy for ducks.

Beyond the waterwheel, another bathing area, the kids mostly had nets but not sure what they catching. Dogs were also paddling.

Another small stream, no kids so several Mallards looking for food.

The small stream above is fed from a weir off the main river to the right of the picture. There was one single Canada Goose sitting
on the weir, the only one we saw in the park.

The river Wandle continuing through the park.

With a few Mallards along the edges. The building in the background is the Morden Hall Restaurant and function venue. From here,
the Wandle continues north out of the park, to the Thames.