So much industry inhibited the builders of London’s sprawling suburbs from building too close to the river and what with the remaining riverside estates of local entrepreneurs, left a string of attractive parks linked by wilderness and the Wandle Trail.
Add to this an area comprised of Mitcham Common, Bedding ton Park and Farmlands and you have what will eventually be Wandle Valley Regional Park (WVRP). Both chains are linked at Hack bridge and have been extended by the addition of outlying recreation grounds.
That legacy brings together some 830 hectares of south London’s open spaces under a unified vision which will see many improvements across its landscape.
The WVRP and its partners have instigated a long term programmed of enhancing access, links, gateways and some expansion. In addition water quality and ecological protection will be improved for the greater enjoyment of the whole community providing a more exciting realm attractive to more people and inviting them to explore further afield.