Country Living in the City
The stableyard at Morden Hall Park.
I thought I would talk about the wonderful country elements you can find here in London. There is an impressive amount of National Trust properties and parks in the Greater London area. I had convinced myself that the only ‘legitimate’ way of roaming is to be physically in the countryside. On weekends, I would get up at crazy o’clock and head far out to find me that country air. And of course, I am learning to drive so I am travelling via public transport (add an extra 1hr/1.5hrs to each journey). I still do this now! But, I take comfort knowing I can explore local places, when my body just can’t muster the energy to get up at the crack of dawn.
I am beginning this journey really and so I hope you’ll enjoy the next few visits I make to estates and parks found in or nearby London…
To kick off, I begin with Morden Hall Park.
Brief History
This former deer park gives a taste of agricultural and industrial connection found in the heart of a thriving capital. It was once owned by Westminster Abbey and the manor house was later built by the Garth family, who owned the land for the next 400 years. It was then sold by Sir Richard Garth to tobacco merchant Gilliat Hatfield in the 1870s. When Gilliat’s son passed away, he left the core of the estate to the National Trust.
Today
The manor house is now Morden Hall, a private wedding venue and it cannot be accessed by the park anymore. Morden cottage is now a school, but you can still walk around it and visit the nearby rose garden. The white bridges that connect through the park are Grade II listed bridges, and personally they are so charming to walk through. You certainly get a sense of the stately homeness of the former residence.
I love exploring this park, it has so much variation in one place. What do I mean? Well, to start off, you have the Wetlands Park, a haven for wildlife. If you’re lucky you’ll spot a hungry heron, perfectly perched and ready to pounce on unsuspecting fishes. The snuff mills, which once generated a large income for the area, are still around. I recently went on a walking history tour and our guide told us the wild reason the snuff mill eventually shut down. The workers had gone on strike and rather than pay them a modest wage, Hatfield closed it down entirely! Everyone lost their jobs and the snuff mills were no more. It’s mad, but I suppose old Hatfield felt he had enough wealth for several lifetimes, that he no longer needed a booming business. At the heart of the park, the stableyard has been renovated and houses a second-hand bookshop (which brings in about 60K per year for the National Trust), a cafe and toilet facilities. Nearby, there is also the National Trust’s only garden centre. I had to web search that one to double check, but yes - Morden Hall Park hosts the only NT garden centre in the whole UK.
Entrance to the stableyard. The cobbled flooring is the original stone work from when it was first built in 1879. Notice that the weathervane has a fish instead of the typical rooster. That’s because Giliat Hatfield was an avid angler and often fished in the River Wandle (the river that runs through the park).
It’s hard to describe why this park feels extra special. You can visit literally any time of the year and walking around will bring you such joy. There is always something going on; from historic walking tours, to world music day events, birdwatching groups, and even theatrical productions being run over summer nights. It’s really quite magic. Each season changes the whole character of the park. You’d be forgiven for mistaking this place as being in the countryside. The Edwardian buildings and rose garden brings that charm. Dog walkers, children, families, couples, solo travellers, elders, disabled communities - you will all find something here, just for you.
I will continue the ‘Country in the City’ blog series in future posts.
Morden Hall. Now a private venue used for weddings. It’s not owned by National Trust, so you have to peer the gates. Isn’t that just the cutest bridge though?
At the end of summer, mares are brought in to cut the grass. It’s actually a better way of cutting grass then the lawnmower. These mares belong to Hampton Court Palace and are brought specially in.
