Wilderness Island (Sutton)
Brief Description
Wilderness Island is an industrial landscape dating back to the C17th, with remains of watercourses belonging to mills situated at the confluence of two arms of the River Wandle. The 1st edition OS map of 1867 shows the island under wood with an area to the south up to the railway embankment as open land. There is a well-preserved fish pond, and the site had former use as pleasure grounds. It is now maintained for its ecological value as a nature reserve.
Practical Information
- Previous / Other name:
- Scawens Moor; ‘Watersmeet’
- Site location:
- Mill Lane, Carshalton
- Postcode:
- SM5 2NH
- What 3 Words:
- power.reveal.bigger
- Type of site:
- Public Open Land
- Borough:
- Sutton
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted
- Special conditions:
- No Dogs and use paths
- Facilities:
- Toilets in Strawberry House opposite
- Events:
- Occasional guided ecology and local history walks
- Public transport:
- Rail: Hackbridge; Carshalton. Bus: 151, 127
- Research updated:
- 01/11/2004
- Last minor changes:
- 29/03/2026
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.wildlondon.org.uk
Full Site Description
Pending further research
Sources consulted:
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ283655 (528253,165349)
- Size in hectares:
- 1.5
- Site ownership:
- LB Sutton
- Site management:
- London Wildlife Trust
- Date(s):
- C17th-C20th
- Designer(s):
- Listed structures:
- None
- On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:
No- Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:
No- Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:
No
Local Authority Data
The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.
- On Local List:
- No
- In Conservation Area:
- No
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- Yes - Metropolitan Importance
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- No
- Other LA designation:
- Site of Wildlife value (Schedule 4)
Photos
Wilderness Island - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 07/07/20 09:36Click a photo to enlarge.
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
