The History of The River Wandle

The River Wandle is at the core of the local community.

Situated within this space, Merton Historical Society is a well-reputed group concerned with the history of the London Borough of Merton, England. It undertakes research and publishes books and booklets on the history of Merton, Mitcham and Morden.

Founded in 1951 as the Merton & Morden Historical Society, it has always had a respected reputation for its publications, which range from academic studies to recollections by local residents. Their monthly talks are also wide-ranging, and they welcome members of all levels of interest.

Hand-tinted engraving of Mitcham Bridge from Glover’s Snuff Mill c.1800. Image credit: Merton Historical Society

Within these publications, Merton Historcal Society explains, “The Wandle has formed an estate boundary since at least Saxon times, when it was known as the Hidebourne, and for centuries it served as the parish boundary between Mitcham to the east and Merton, Morden and Wimbledon to the west.

However, throughout history landholders have held land on both banks of the Wandle. Merton Priory held many lands within Mitcham, the manor of Ravensbury consisted of lands in both Mitcham and Morden, and the area upstream of Mitcham Bridge formed a single estate for over 400 years, and included lands in Mitcham, Morden and Carshalton.

The Wandle was a working river, powering corn mills since before the Domesday Survey, and thereafter attracting a number of industries, including copperworking, papermaking and, especially, textile printing”

Image and text credit: Merton Historical Society