• Ride 1. Wandle Trail
  • Ride 2. Exploring Dulwich

Ride 1. Wandle Trail

Photos from David and Amanda

Report from Ride Leader Amanda

15 of us left London Bridge Needle, Weather was cloudy and quite miserable. The sun as it brightens up the fauna and makes such a difference. Our first turn was down Tooley Street, stopped briefly at the ferryman’s seat, carrying on to Westminster. Westminster Bridge and along the cycle lane along Millbank etc. then,back over Chelsea Bridge. Through Battersea Park, we made our way onto the large pre-covid clear sections of the Thames Path – now full of joggers, to the River Wandle’s Start/End into the Thames.

I had previously discovered a short cut through a new development of flats, of which they made a feature of the river with story boards of its history. Interesting to read and note that William Morris had designed a River Wandle Pattern. (I’ll post on Whatsapp.) This way we could enter King Georges Park at the Northern Edge. Stunned at the ease of light traffic at Earlsfield, we managed the box section under the bridge nicely all in one go safely, despite my prep to the group of how difficult it would be! It took us about 2 1/4 hours to arrive at our ½ hour brunch stop at Merton’s Abbey Mill. The pottery mill/museum was open and the watermill was running beautifully. The museum and mill were part of the 19th century fabric printing industry including the William Morris collection. The place was now heaving with people and street-food stands. We could no longer sit under the clock-tower.

We continued our wander along the Wandle, after the mill are the most beautiful sections, but some trying this route, have found it very difficult to link up those cut by roads. Beautiful sections such as Modern Hall Park, Watermead Nature Reserve, Carshalton Ponds and the stunning perfectly manicured gardens of Beddington Park. A nice tour round old buildings and a huge dove cote ahead and back through the woods for more natural winding parts of the trail. A last loop around Wandle Park to see the start/end of the trail and River Wandle’s view. This last little section has dense foliage covering it, but is refreshingly real and left to nature. (The end of the river goes underground from here and, has probably become part of the sewer system as many of the old London Rivers have.). We entered Croydon via Surrey Street – previously a thriving fruit and veg market, but now only street food vans and canopies only. On to East Croydon Train Station, where all left off, taking a variety of different routes as this station provides lots of options. Arrived here at 1.30ish. Lovely bunch of cyclists – all tired I think, it was a long ride. Might consider two stops next time

  • Great ride Amanda really enjoyed Brian n Magda
  • Bess: Thanks for a fab ride out on the Wandle Amanda, great day!

Ride 2. Exploring Dulwich + Murals

Photos from Bruce and Anne

Eight riders set off from the Dulwich Clock Café with Bruce leading in sunny conditions following some recent rain. First some Murals. Most were produced as part of a programme curated by the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The idea was to re-interpret paintings from the Gallery. The most impressive was “The Boxers” on a wall at the juction of East Dulwich Road and Lordship Lane. From there a short hop to the Dulwich Hamlets Foorball ground. The Hamlets were formed near the start of the Football League and were Cup winners in the years between the 1st and 2nd world wars. Currently they play in the semi-professional Isthmian Leagea (Tier 7 of the Football League). Next a working Toll Booth on College Road, then on to Bovril (Dulwich) Castle in the far south of the area. This fine building was given a castle-like face lift by a Mr John Johnson, the inventor of Bovril. Currently an Art sCentre, it was busy with childrens activities. And it now has a nice cafe round the back. We had a break there. The owners kindly put a table and chairs for us so we oculd isit out in the sunshine. Down to the Picture Gallery itself via Belair House and Park. We explored the Galley gardens that have had a recent upgrade. There is now a small Pavilion aimed at 8-year olds. This had a small scond Cafe. There were also several new pieces of art i the garden and a very striking children’s slide (see Photo). Dulwich park is opposite the Gallery and it now being 12.30 we decided to end the ride at the Gallery. Route options at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1kPxRnRK_vljrbfuvrTtWbE46QHoUMAo&usp=sharing.

WhatsAPP comment.

  • From Owen: Really enjoyable ride around Dulwich today. Thanks Bruce.
  • From Anne: Fantastic cycle round Dulwich today…visiting amongst murals and country piles…Thanks Bruce.

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