Wilderness Island

Wilderness Island is the 2.7 hectare island between the Wandle and Wrythe in Carshalton in the London Borough of Sutton. It is designated a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, is owned by Sutton Council and is managed by the London Wildlife Trust.

The River Wandle with Wilderness Island on the right

Features

A fish pond still remains from a former public garden on the site.[1] Other habitats are woodland, meadows and river. Trees include a black poplar, and there are birds such as the woodpecker, kingfisher and grebe. Butterflies/moths include the speckled wood, holly blue, and the rare hornet clearwing moth. The ponds are an important habitat which have a variety of wetland plants.[2][3]

It is designated a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. The site is owned by Sutton Council and managed by the London Wildlife Trust.[2][4][1]

Visitors, who must arrive on foot, must obey the envionrmental laws of Britain including not disturbing nesting birds at the small site; they have one access — from River Gardens.[2]

History

Extract from Kitchen's Map of the country 30 miles around London, 1773; its symbol denotes water mill per the legend below; the description of the site given is Copper Mills.

The island from the seventeenth century was the site of copper mills. It was later the site of a pleasure garden.

References

1. "Wilderness Island". London Parks and Gardens Trust. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
2. "Wilderness Island". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
3. "Wilderness Island". London Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
4. "Map of Wilderness Island". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 28 March 2014.