Changes

In the late sixteen century, [[Sir Walter Raleigh]] saw great potential in the river and set up a series of snuff mills along its length to grind his [[tobacco]] imports.  In the nineteenth century, it was described as the "hardest working river in Britain", with more watermills per mile than any other waterway.  By the end of that century, [[William Morris]] had set up one of his [[Liberty printworks]] close to the site of Merton Priory.  Liberty continued to produce fabrics there and downriver at [[Southfields]] until the 1990s.

In the late sixteen century, [[Sir Walter Raleigh]] saw great potential in the river and set up a series of snuff mills along its length to grind his [[tobacco]] imports.  In the nineteenth century, it was described as the "hardest working river in Britain", with more watermills per mile than any other waterway.  By the end of that century, [[William Morris]] had set up one of his [[Liberty printworks]] close to the site of Merton Priory.  Liberty continued to produce fabrics there and downriver at [[Southfields]] until the 1990s.

It fell into decline early in the twentieth century and, by the 1980s, was in a fairly unhealthy condition.  Since then, however, the length of the Wandle has been shaped into the [[Wandle Trail]], a mainly off road walking route that is incorporated into the [[Avenue Vert]].  There are several parks and nature reserves.  Among the bird species that can be seen are [[peregrine falcons]] (nesting at the top of the Merton Civic Centre and largely hunting around the [[Morden Hall]] Wetlands, kingfishers, herons, cormorants, tawny owls (around [[Ravensbury Park]] (which also supports a large bat colony), egyptian geese and the ubiquitous green parakeet.  The [[Environment Agency]]'s annual fish survey has found catfish, eels, trout, dace, chubb and carp.  The latter can grow to around three feet, making the Wandle a popular destination for south London's anglers, who are casting their lines where Lord [[Horatio Nelson]] and [[Izaak Walton]] did centuries earlier.

It fell into decline early in the twentieth century and, by the 1980s, was in a fairly unhealthy condition.  Since then, however, the length of the Wandle has been shaped into the [[Wandle Trail]], a mainly off road walking route that is incorporated into the [[Avenue Vert]].  There are several parks and nature reserves.  Among the bird species that can be seen are [[peregrine falcons]] (nesting at the top of the Merton Civic Centre and largely hunting around the [[Morden Hall]] Wetlands), kingfishers, herons, cormorants, tawny owls (around [[Ravensbury Park]] (which also supports a large bat colony), egyptian geese and the ubiquitous green parakeet.  The [[Environment Agency]]'s annual fish survey has found catfish, eels, trout, dace, chubb and carp.  The latter can grow to around three feet, making the Wandle a popular destination for south London's anglers, who are casting their lines where Lord [[Horatio Nelson]] and [[Izaak Walton]] did centuries earlier.

The [[Wandle Industrial Museum]], near [[Mitcham Green]], contains many artefacts and photos showing how the Wandle has developed over the centuries, with particular emphasis on the work of William Morris.

The [[Wandle Industrial Museum]], near [[Mitcham Green]], contains many artefacts and photos showing how the Wandle has developed over the centuries, with particular emphasis on the work of William Morris.