The River Wandle and Purley Way

I'm not even going to try to claim that Purley Way is beautiful*. It's a former industrial area that has gradually evolved into out of town shopping. It's a horrible place to drive, walk, cycle, or take the bus to. The only decent way to get there is by tram, in my opinion, because the tram route bypasses the awful roads and junctions. 

Tram at Reeves Corner, 2020

Did you know that the River Wandle passes under Purley Way and is visible close to both sides of this traffic-clogged artery? It's worth braving a small stretch of road to follow the river to Waddon Ponds.

Mural celebrating Croydon's saffron growing heritage under the Roman Way

From Croydon town centre or the Old Town, it's a short walk to Wandle Park. Go to Reeves Corner, at the bottom of Church Street, and cross over the tram tracks. You'll see the Roman Way elevated dual carriageway called Jubilee Bridge (I've always thought this a terrible tribute to the Queen's longevity) - head for the underpass which is painted with scenes of Croydon's saffron crocus farming heritage (see photo above). The underpass itself has lovely murals on both sides showing Wandle wildlife. Walk through here, along Booth Road, and turn left at the end onto Waddon New Road. Cross over Waddon New Road when it's safe and walk along past the mini roundabout, and you'll find a set of steps up and over the railway line - follow these and you'll find yourself at one of the park entrances. 

Wandle Park, May 2020

Until a few years ago, Wandle Park was much like any other recreation ground: grass and sports pitches. A major project has restored it to its original Victorian glory, by deculverting its namesake river and putting in a pond. It's the first place the Wandle can be seen on its journey to the Thames at Wandsworth and a great place to view the ever changing central Croydon skyline. Birds found here include grey wagtails, ducks, moorhens, herons, sparrows, goldfinches, and many more.

Heron in Wandle Park pond, June 2019

There's also a handy footpath that leads from one corner of the park onto Factory Lane, the decidedly unlovely location of the Royal Mail Delivery Office, avoiding a noisy walk along the Roman Way flyover. 

Following the path past the pond, leave the park at Wandle Park tram stop, cross the tram tracks and turn right. The footpath leads to the New South Quarter development, which has the Wandle as a central feature. This is another good place to observe wagtails and there are often some sleepy looking ducks around. 

River Wandle, New South Quarter, May 2020

The path through the development leads to Whitestone Way, an access road from Purley Way itself. Follow this road to Purley Way and turn left, then head for the traffic lights at the junction. Cross Purley Way at the traffic lights and head down the side street called Mill Lane. This is down the side of the former John Lewis site. Just past the old John Lewis car park exit, you'll find an entrance to the beautiful, peaceful Waddon Ponds. 

Waddon Ponds swan family, spring 2020

Home to a wide variety of water birds, including ducks, mute swans, coots, moorhens, little grebes, Canada geese, Egyptian geese, gulls, and the occasional kingfisher, Waddon Ponds is one of the best birdwatching sites in Croydon and highly recommended in spring and early summer when there are ducklings, cygnets and other super cute water bird chicks. 

Waddon ponds birds (clockwise): little grebes, coots, sparrows, tufted duck, mallards

Other species include a noisy flock of sparrows often found around the bamboo plants, even noisier ring-necked parakeets high in the trees, overwintering starlings, long-tailed tits, ubiquitous pigeons, crows, and greater spotted woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for basking terrapins in the summer months.

Non-native terrapin enjoying the sun at Waddon Ponds, Sep 2019

Back on Mill Lane, there's a footpath which follows the Wandle to the peaceful Richmond Green, running parallel to Croydon Road and crossing the border into Beddington, in the borough of Sutton. This is a good place to spot kingfishers, although they're adept at spotting me before I spot them, so they're usually just a flash of vivid azure passing by at speed, in a straight line, low to the water. If you see a small water bird that flies away from you bobbing up and down, it's likely to be a wagtail, small birds whose tails move continuously while they scour the water for insects to snack on.

I may cover the route to Beddington Park and beyond in another blog post. although it's not part of Croydon. 

*If you go south, past Croydon Colonnades and the old airport buildings, you'll find open green spaces on both sides. Roundshaw Downs is particularly beautiful and has views of Croydon and central London. There are also cows grazing there in the winter. I'll write more about it in a future post.

Sussex cattle on Roundshaw Downs, January 2019

Useful information:

How to get there: You can start the walk at Church Street tram stop or Wandle Park tram stop. The route I described involves stairs but alternative routes are available if you enter Wandle Park from the tram stop or Cornwall Road. The 407, 410 and 289 buses stop on Purley Way at Alton Road, close to Waddon Ponds. It's a short walk from Waddon train station and the 154 and 157 bus stops.

Facilities: There are toilets at the café in Wandle Park. Sainsburys and TK Maxx on Purley Way have public toilets too. There's no café at Waddon Ponds but sometimes on weekdays there's a burger van on Mill Lane, plus there's shops and takeaways on Purley Way.