Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Park is a 125-acre green space in south London, located in Morden and managed by the National Trust. The park offers a mix of open meadows, wetlands, and woodland, all set along the River Wandle. It provides a peaceful escape from the surrounding urban area and is popular with walkers, families, and nature lovers.

The site has a long history. It was originally owned by Westminster Abbey and was later purchased by Richard Garth in the 16th century. The current Morden Hall was built between 1750 and 1765 by the Garth family. In the 19th century, the estate was acquired by Gilliat Hatfeild, a tobacco merchant, who developed the parkland and built features such as the stable yard and rose garden. His son, Gilliat Edward Hatfeild, gifted the estate to the National Trust in 1941.

The River Wandle runs through the park, and there are several footbridges and remnants of its industrial past, including restored waterwheels. One of the highlights is the historic Snuff Mill, where tobacco was once ground into snuff. Today it features exhibitions about the estate’s industrial heritage.

The park also includes a formal rose garden with over 40 varieties of roses arranged in around 50 beds. There is a natural play area for children with climbing features and a zip wire, as well as open spaces for picnics and games. Morden Hall Park is also home to the National Trust’s only garden centre, offering plants and gardening supplies.

Facilities include two cafés (the Potting Shed Café and Stableyard Café), a second-hand bookshop, toilets, and accessible paths. Entry to the park is free, and it is open daily. It is easy to reach by public transport, with Morden Underground Station and local tram stops within walking distance.

Morden Hall Park combines history, nature, and community use, making it one of south London’s most cherished green spaces.

Created: 22  April  2025  Edited: 22  April  2025