TREASURE DESCRIPTION: The Watermeads are maintained as a nature reserve. Near the Bishopsford Road entrance is the site of an old snuff mill, demolished in the 1920s but traces of which are still visible: the end support to the waterwheel in the form of a brick pier, and wall set on the edge of the island formed between the old control weir, and the mill and a millstone on the river bank.
Due to the gradient the River Wandle has long hard industrial usage and along its banks were numerous water mills for use such as grinding corn, copper and leather working; it was also notable for its trout and watercress beds. Wetland areas were created as a result of the high water levels needed and Watermeads is a remnant of these. The site extends along the west bank of the river; it was shown on the Tithe Map of 1837 as ‘long meadow’. Within the site is a fish pond and Paper Mill Cut, one of the Wandle’s many channels and branches dug for milling.
These treasures were made as part of The Building Exploratory, Wandle Treasures project. This project was part of the wider Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme, funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
