Reasons To Visit Merton Abbey Mills

You do not have to travel far from Central London to get a slice of the countryside. Just half an hour away from Piccadilly Circus underground station is Colliers Wood, a place of hidden surprises. One of its best kept secrets and definitely one for your trip planner is the historic Merton Abbey Mills which is just an eight-minute walk from Colliers Wood tube station. Here are five reasons why anyone visiting London should go and explore the area.

A Beautifully Picturesque Location

The first thing you will notice about Merton Abbey Mills is its beautiful surroundings. It sits right on the banks of the River Wandle, a 14-mile-long stretch of water flowing from Croydon to Wandsworth where it joins the Thames. Theresa, who works at Charlie’s Rock Shop, is fond of the location. ‘You’ve got a lovely area here. You’ve got the river, you’ve got the mill. You forget you’re in London.’

All around are trees and spots of grass and you may even be lucky enough to see some of the local wildlife such as a Grey Heron or a Kingfisher. If you like spotting what’s in the river, then you may catch a glimpse of Eel, Pike or even a Chinese Mitten Crab.

Historical Significance

The site dates back to the Middle Ages and was the property of Gilbert the knight which had been given to him by Henry I. According to Merton Council, ‘Gilbert founded an Augustinian priory in 1117 at the point where the old Roman road crossed the River Wandle, where the SavaCentre and Merton Abbey Mills now stand.’ It ceased being a priory in 1538 during the Dissolution under Henry VIII. The only remaining part of the medieval priory that still exists is now occupied by the Colour House Theatre. This is a Grade II listed building and is the oldest on site.

The area became a magnet for the textile industry. By the 1600’s textile mills arrived at the Wandle and flourished. The Merton Abbey Mills website claims that ‘by 1792 over a thousand people were employed by the various print works or associated business.’ The most famous man to settle here was textile designer and social activist William Morris. He moved his textile design and printing company to the Wandle as it provided the ideal conditions for the business. He was there between 1881-1888 and during his time at Merton Abbey he supplied the workers with high wages, a library and clean working environment.

The mill still has its Grade II listed Victorian waterwheel. It’s the only one in full working order and it is the only waterwheel in the country to be fully powered by water. Although there have been a number of mills on the site, the current one dates back to 1885. On weekends, visitors are free to explore the Wheelhouse and see how it works. The building itself is now home to a pottery workshop and gallery.

Unique Shops

Looking for one-off items or unusual gifts? This is the place to visit. Kazeem the Tomb Raider is a treasure trove of handmade and unique artefacts from all over the world. You will find all kinds of animal carvings, wall art and statues here. The Craft Gallery is your one-stop shop for beautiful gifts handmade by local artists and craftspeople.

They now have a gallery space and offer workshops which are worth checking out if you are feeling creative. Another popular shop is the Charlie’s Rock Shop. Established in 1989, the shop has over 300 types of crystals, a wide range of fossils, jewellery items, books, incense and more.

There is also a market every weekend that promotes established and emerging artists and craftspeople. You will find an assortment of handmade gifts and collectable items on sale.

Food & Drink

If you want something to eat, then you will not be going hungry at Merton Abbey Mills. There is something to cater everyone’s taste from pasta to sushi, to classic pub lunches. Lizzie, a local resident, loves to have Sunday lunch at the Watermill Grill. ‘The carvery here is amazing and its located in such a lovely spot.’ The William Morris Pub also provides a stunning riverside view and traditional pub food.
If you fancy something a little bit different, then you can have a bite at the Bai Yai Thai, a family run restaurant serving up Thai food at affordable prices. Or you can munch on some sushi at the Rock Star Sushi Bar which is ‘well recommended’ by Theresa.

Entertainment and events

Merton Abbey Mills is well known for its free live music events. You can catch artists from the world of Reggae, soul, folk, the blues and much more perform at the Bandstand next to the Wheelhouse.

A number of visiting productions are staged at the Colour House Theatre throughout the year. It also hosts “Sunday Evening Music Among Friends”, a monthly series dedicated to chamber music. The concerts usually start at 19:30 and during the interval you can enjoy a free drink at the Wheelhouse. The Colour House Theatre is best known for their weekend Children’s Theatre. So, if you are looking for family entertainment, you will find it here. They specialise in original musical adaptations of fairy tales and there are opportunities to have children’s parties with the cast.

Merton Abbey Mills truly has something for everyone. Families, couples, history lovers or shoppers. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it all in one picturesque setting.