An oasis in suburbia - Hall , Morden, Park walk Surrey SM4 5JD Take a stroll through this TRAIL historic parkland, created by Walking the Hatfeild family in the 19th century, and experience inspiring GRADE surroundings. Admission is free. Easy Enjoy your walk and let us know what you thought. DISTANCE 1.9 miles (3.1km)

TIME 1 hour OS MAP Terrain Landranger 176; Explorer 161 This 1.9 mile (3.1km) walk takes approximately an hour for a reasonably fit walker, giving opportunity to pause to take in the features described. The terrain is reasonably flat. Surfaces can be muddy and Contact slippery in places in wet weather please wear appropriate footwear and consider the weather conditions. Dogs are welcome under control and on a lead in areas of closely-mown lawn and around buildings. 020 8545 6850 Cycles must give way to pedestrians and bylaws should be obeyed at all times. [email protected] Things to see Facilities

http://nationaltrust.org.uk/walks The stable yard The Snuff Mill The rose garden

This building was constructed The Hatfeild fortune came from The rose garden was planted in about 1879 to house carriage drying and grinding tobacco in about 1920 by Gilliat Edward In partnership with and riding horses, and is a real (using the watermills) into a fine Hatfeild, who gave the Park to demonstration of the Hatfeilds' powder known as snuff, with us in 1941. We have completed wealth. Note the trout on the this particular mill remaining in historical research into the garden weather vane, reflecting the links use until 1922. You can see the and are undertaking work to with the and fishing. original waterwheel that once restore the original look still Step inside to discover our new powered the huge millstones to further. visitor centre, which provides crush the tobacco. an interactive space for learning about sustainable green living and new energy-saving products, as well as a community exhibition space, our offices, craft stalls, a café and eco-toilets. Morden Hall Park, Morden, Surrey SM4 5JD

Start/end

Start: The Riverside Café, next to Garden Centre Car Park, grid ref: TQ262686 End: The Riverside Café, next to Garden Centre car park, grid ref: TQ262686 How to get there

By foot: Short walk from 1. To enter Morden Hall Park, pass through the gate between the Riverside Café and the Garden Morden town centre, down Centre, under an archway. Turn right. On your right you will see workshops associated with the Hatfeild family's estate including a boiler house for heating the greenhouses in the kitchen garden, Aberconway Road from the on the other side of the wall, potting and tool sheds and day stables for the working ponies. Some Underground Station on the of these are now leased to local craft workers. Ahead of you the stables are visible. During 2010 . There are the Stable Yard was renovated to be the most energy-efficient historic building in the country. It now entrances to Morden Hall offers new visitor facilities, including an exhibition space. Park around its perimeter. The also crosses the 2. Follow the sign to the Snuff Mill, which is now an Learning and Community centre providing park. This route follows the activities for groups from the local area. The millstones on display outside are originally from a spice River Wandle from , mill, but show the edge turning arrangement of the stones used. You will also pass a second-hand through three boroughs bookshop next to the Snuff Mill. to its mouth at the River Thames in . There 3. At the Snuff Mill proceed across modern bridge over the main tributary of the River Wandle. You are art and sculptural features will pass a little building on the left where G.E. Hatfeild bred trout, then Morden Cottage on your along the way right. The building is thought to have originally been a hunting lodge before becoming a permanent residence. Look out for the rose garden beyond the cottage. By bike: The Wandle Trail is also great for cycling. The route is mainly off-road and forms 4. Walk along the path with the rose garden on your right and go through a gate, turn right, crossing over the tarmac bridge across a stream of the Wandle and take the first path to your right. Pass part of National Cycle Network through a smaller gate and back into the rose garden, on the far side of the stream that divides it in Route 22. See Sustrans for two. Continue on this path out of the garden and into the arboretum. On the head of the closest island details in the summer grows a plant called gunnera, or giant rhubarb. The 18th-century statues of Neptune By bus: There are several bus and Venus have also been returned after a long absence and can be seen on the island in the River stops close to the Park and a Wandle. variety of frequent bus services from surrounding areas 5. Follow the path along the course of the River Wandle, with the river on your right. When the path including Sutton, and forks at a pond, stay left, on the hard standing. When you come up to the avenue of lime and horse Wimbledon. See www.tfl.gov.uk chestnut trees near the gate by the Surrey Arms pub, turn left and walk along the avenue. Avenues of lime trees were a status symbol, and horse chestnuts were very fashionable trees. By tram: The runs between Wimbledon, Mitcham, 6. Carry on walking down the avenue past the path coming up from . Re- Croydon, and Beckenham cross the tarmac bridge and continue straight on. To your right, in the trees, we have created a Junction. Alight at Phipps natural play area for children, themed around life from the perspective of an insect. Bridge which stops at the southern side of the Park 7. Cross over the ornate white Victorian bridge, and in front of you will see a second white bridge with By underground: Morden Morden Hall beyond, surrounded by a moat. Approach Morden Hall. Cross back over the bridge into underground station (Northern the park, turn left following the path crossing over two small wooden bridges. Once over the second Line) which is about 0.75 miles bridge turn right, following the signpost to the wetlands, which is flooded and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. (N.B. The path through the wetlands is wet after rain and in winter. If you would prefer not (1.2km) from the Park to take this route, continue straight ahead and make a circuit of North Park before continuing from this By rail: Morden South station point at point 9). approximately 0.5 miles (0.8km) away By road Off the A24 and A297 8. When you leave the wetlands you will reach a T-junction with a tram crossing to your right. Instead, south of Wimbledon and North turn left and follow the path with the wetlands on your left; North Park is to your right. Turn left at the of Sutton. From the M25, exit end of the wetlands, cross over a wooden bridge, with glimpses of Morden Hall through the trees to at junction 10 and take the A3 your right. towards London. Join the A289 (Bushey Road) at the 9. Retrace your steps back over the two small wooden bridges to the white bridge over the Wandle. junction. Follow the brown signs Do not cross it, instead pass straight ahead towards the Snuff Mill. to Morden Hall Park. Parking is in the Garden Centre car park 10. At the Snuff Mill turn right and retrace your steps back to the Riverside Café and our shop, where you started.

http://nationaltrust.org.uk/walks