River Wandle

The River Wandle is a river in England, approximately 26.7km in length and unusually steep for its size. It has two main sources: the North Downs north of Croydon and a secondary source in Carshalton. It ultimately joins the Thames passing through the London Boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Merton, and Wandsworth. Its name is thought to have derived from the Saxon "Wendlesworth" meaning "Wendle's Settlement".

The river has been in use since Roman times and was heavily industrialised in the 17th and 18th century (the industrial revolution) at one point being one of the most polluted rivers of the period. The main industries of the period are tobacco and textiles. Subsequent cleanups has lead to a dramatic improvement in water quality leading to a return of the river's once famous brown trout.

The predominant geology of the area is chalk and London clay.

The river is heavily managed with artificial channels, runoff ditches and subterranean stretches.

Its main claim to literary fame is the appearance of one of its tributaries the River Mole in Winnie the Pooh.