Distance 12 miles (19.3km)
Classification Easy
Start Enterprise Way, SW18
Finish Wandle Park tram station
Duration 2 hours
Route NCN route 20
Map Cycling Traffic-Free London by Jules Selmes, Wandsworth to Carshalton in AA Cycling in London, free TFL maps 10 and 12

Route notes

From the southern bank of the Thames, the trail follows the route of a Thames subsidiary, the eponymous Wandle, south-east towards Croydon, taking in numerous green spaces and hidden parts of the city. The start and finish are easily accessible by public transport.

Terrain and gradients

Mainly traffic-free paths with a few busy road sections.

How to get there/away

The start point is near Wandsworth Town railway station, which connects to London Waterloo, while Wandle Park is near the rail hub of East Croydon.

What to see

Much of the pleasure of this route comes from the multiple green spaces it crosses, from nature reserves to city parks. Wilderness Island, in particular, is a natural haven for dozens of bird species, including woodpeckers and tufted ducks. Other attractions on the way include Deen City Farm and Merton Abbey Mills, a former textile works that once housed William Morris's factory. And look out for the series of blue ceramic plaques along the route (pictured) – an art project designed to celebrate locally meaningful sites along the trail.

Watering holes

The Dog & Bull (24-25 Surrey Street, CR0 1RG), one of Croydon's oldest dens and a firm favourite with the market traders, is perfect for a celebratory pint or two.