Wandle Industrial Museum

About the museum

The Wandle Industrial Museum was founded in 1983 by local people who wanted to record and preserve the fast-disappearing history of the River Wandle and its banks in Merton. Its founders, Harry Galley and Kevin Leyden, worked with the Merton Community Trust and used government job-creation funding to get it started. The museum moved between several buildings before its archive found a home in Vestry Hall in Mitcham in 1989. With a grant from Merton Council the neighbouring annexe was converted into a museum, which opened on 6 June 1991.

The museum presents itself as the only purely industrial museum in this part of Greater London. It tells how the river once powered flour mills, snuff mills, print works and other industries, and it preserves the memories of people who worked on the Wandle through an oral history project.

Displays include a large model of the William Morris Works, smaller models of Merton Priory and the Liberty Print Works, an account of Merton Place and Lord Nelson, block printing, and information on the mills of the Wandle. Visitors can also try a pinch of snuff.

Highlights

• Large model of the William Morris Works at Merton Abbey
• Models of Merton Priory and the Liberty Print Works
• Block printing and the mills of the River Wandle
• Merton Place and Lord Nelson display
• Oral history project on the river's industries

Permanent exhibition

• Industries of the River Wandle – Models of the William Morris Works, Merton Priory and the Liberty Print Works, with displays on block printing, snuff, Merton Place and the mills along the river.

Founded

1983

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. Donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, wheelchair access is on the ground floor only. There are no toilets in the museum itself; visitors can use the toilets in Vestry Hall.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Vestry Hall annexe on London Road (A217), between the two arms of Lower Green in Mitcham.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a small shop. Toilets are in the neighbouring Vestry Hall.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit