Wandsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wandsworth Town |
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_Ram_Brewery_complex_and_Brewery_Tap_pub.jpg) The former Ram Brewery, a landmark in Wandsworth's town centre |
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 Wandsworth Town
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| Population | 18,072 (Wandsworth Town as of 2021 census) |
| OS grid reference | TQ255755 |
| • Charing Cross | 4.2 mi (6.8 km) NE |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SW18 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Wandsworth Town is a lively area in south London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Wandsworth. This district is about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) southwest of Charing Cross, a famous spot in central London. Wandsworth Town is known as one of the 35 main centres in Greater London. This means it's an important place for shopping, jobs, and fun activities.
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What's in a Name?
Wandsworth gets its name from the River Wandle. This river flows into the River Thames right here in Wandsworth. The name "Wandsworth" comes from old records like the Domesday Book from 1086. Back then, it was called Wandesorde or Wendelesorde.
This old name means 'the enclosed area of a man named Waendel'. Waendel's name also gave the River Wandle its name. People often call it Wandsworth Town to make sure it's not confused with the larger area of the London Borough of Wandsworth.
A Look Back in Time
Wandsworth has a long and interesting history. In 1086, the area was a manor, which is like a large estate. It was partly owned by William, son of Ansculfy, and partly by St Wandrille's Abbey.
For hundreds of years, Wandsworth has welcomed people from other countries. In the 1590s, Protestant Dutch metalworkers came here to escape problems in their home country. Later, in the 1600s, Huguenots arrived. More recently, people from Eastern Europe have also made Wandsworth their home. This mix of cultures has made Wandsworth a diverse and interesting place.
A famous landmark in Wandsworth was the Young & Co's Ram Brewery. It was located between the town centre and the river. For many years, they used large Shire horses to pull drays (carts) to deliver beer to local pubs. Young's stopped brewing beer there in 2006. However, brewing still happens on the site in smaller amounts.
The brewery site is now being redeveloped with new homes and shops. In 2019, it was announced that Sambrook's Brewery would move there. This means brewing will continue to be a part of Wandsworth's history.
Wandsworth also had a gas plant built in 1834. It was located by the River Thames near Wandsworth Bridge. This plant made gas from coal. The coal was brought by sea from North East England. The company grew over time and supplied gas to a large part of southwest London. It became part of the national gas board in 1949.
There was also a Wandsworth power station that provided electricity to the area. It operated from 1897 to 1964. Today, there is still an electricity substation nearby.
Exploring Wandsworth's Geography
The area along the river, which used to be a wharf (a place for ships to load and unload), now has many new apartment buildings. You can also find several bars and restaurants there, especially near Wandsworth Bridge.
Wandsworth Common is a large green space. It is located a bit away from the river, at the top of East Hill. Next to the common is an area called "the Toast Rack." This area has some very expensive houses. It is also home to the famous restaurant Chez Bruce.
The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building is also in this area. It used to be a school for girls whose fathers died in war. Now, it has flats, a theatre school, and a restaurant.
The Tonsleys/Old York Road is a charming residential area. It is close to the river and the town centre. Many of the streets here have "Tonsley" in their names. This area feels like a small village. Old York Road has cafes and shops at its heart. You can also find three well-known pubs here: the Royal Standard, the East Hill, and the Alma. East Hill is an area with large Victorian houses next to Wandsworth Common.
Wandsworth High Street is dominated by the Southside shopping centre. This large complex has shops, a cinema, and restaurants. It used to be called the Arndale Centre. Behind the shopping centre, you can find King George's Park. This park follows the River Wandle upstream towards Earlsfield and Wimbledon.
The Wandsworth Museum used to be in the old Victorian library on West Hill. It moved there in 2007 but closed in March 2015. The De Morgan Centre is currently located in Wandsworth Museum. It holds a collection of Victorian artwork. A special green plaque was placed near the A3 road. It remembers aviation pioneer Alliott Verdon Roe. His first workshop was in the stables of his brother's house at 47 West Hill.
Wandsworth Town Library is located on Garratt Lane. It opened in 2009 in a historic building that used to be a court house.
Getting Around Wandsworth
Wandsworth Town has good transport links. The main railway stations are Wandsworth Town, Wandsworth Common, and Earlsfield.
- Wandsworth Common is just one stop from Clapham Junction. It's also a 12-minute train ride from London Victoria.
- Earlsfield is also one stop from Clapham Junction. It's a 12-minute train ride from London Waterloo.
Wandsworth Town is also served by Southfields tube station. This underground station is in the Southfields area of the town.
Local Churches
All Saints' is the oldest church in Wandsworth. It dates back to the 13th century. However, most of the building you see today was built in the 1700s. St Anne's and Holy Trinity churches were built in the 1800s. They were needed because more people were moving to Wandsworth.
Wandsworth Prison
Wandsworth Prison was built in 1851. It is a large men's prison. It is the biggest prison in London and one of the largest in Europe. It can hold a similar number of people as Liverpool Prison.
Images for kids
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The former Ram Brewery, a landmark in Wandsworth's town centre
