Quite unexpectedly, in an area dominated by large out-of-town style shops and car parks, Merton Abbey Mills is a craft and artisan food market, with cafes, a restaurants, pubs and a small theatre, all located in the historic buildings of the Liberty textile mill, alongside the River Wandle. The name reflects the location of Merton Priory, once one of the largest and wealthiest monastic foundations in England: Henry VI was crowned in the Church and Thomas a Becket was educated at the Priory. Following its almost complete destruction at the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, only the Chapter House foundations survive, under Merantun Way. The area has been the location for textile mills since the 18th Century, with the river providing both pure water for the dyeing process, and power for the water mills used for printing and textile processing. William Morris had a factory here, but the Abbey Mills occupy the buildings of the former Liberty textile mills. They include a working water mill, one of only four mills left on the Wandle, and the only actually in working order. It now houses a pottery, but can visited to view the water wheel. Other businesses include a mineral and fossil shop, hairdressers, picture galleries and art/craft shops. At weekends there are more stalls selling crafts and artisan food stalls. The Office accommodation houses a range of creative and service companies. It is becoming quite a foodie stop, with two pubs, a bakers, artisan cakes, a delicatessen, two pubs, and several cafes and restaurants covering a range of cuisines. There isn't a lot of parking in the Mill complex, but it's only a short walk from Collier's Wood underground station, and Sainsbury's and the Tandem shopping centre have large car parks. read more

I've been to Merton Abbey Mills a few times now, and have always had a nice time. It is a pretty and somewhat bohemian retreat from South West London, a quiet oasis of calm and friendliness. There are a good selection of shops especially for gifts (great now in the run up to Christimas!) and as well as that there is a regular Farmers Market. I went there last Sunday and was a little late - by 1:30pm many of the stalls had clearly packed up and gone home. However I had an interesting discussion with a leather goods vendor and got to sample some cheeses and check out the pottery. Apparently you can sign up for pottery classes there. There are also a range of restaurants -- which I am rating separately in their own right. And in the evenings there are a range of live music and theatre going on, check out their website for their events calendar. One thing I would recommend doing, is to travel to Morden Hall Park and do the the Wandle riverside walk from there to Merton Abbey. Its scenic and about a mile and a half, passing by Deen City Farm on the way. A hit for the kids! read more

Merton Abbey Mills - Shopping Centers Near Me - London, XGL

Merton Abbey Mills is a shopping center that resides around an historic London landmark, a true 19th century era watermill. The site has seen its fair share of everything life can throw at a building: being broken down, being rebuilt, world wars, change of ownership and more. Currently it focuses on the arts with a music store, magazine, crafts market and holistic stores making up some of the tenants. The restaurants are interesting and include Caribbean, Italian, a pub and a Café. Merton Abbey Mills is definitely worthy of a relaxed afternoon visit, a romantic dinner or family day. Periodically you'll even find live music and a market, all set on the green riverbanks of the slowly-meandering River Wandle. Also look out for the annual 'Abbeyfest' festival hosted by Merton Abbey Mills. read more

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I LOVE Merton Abbey Mills! Having grown up in Merton, I remember being taken there most weekends by my parents because they wanted to either have a look, take us kids out the house or buy some kind of bespoke piece for the house. Back in the day it was full of craft shops and stalls - not unlike those you see in Camden. They still have them nowadays but on a smaller scale. There are a few cool restaurants and bars there and the William Morris pub is pretty good. In the summer you can sit by the River Wandle and have a drink and in the winter you can cost up inside by the fire. They have a pub quiz but it's been a while since I've been so I don't actually know what day it's on. Might be worth giving them a call if you're keen. Over the years it has lost its charm but it's still pretty cute and quaint - especially for Merton! read more

Merton Abbey Mills - View from a bench by the pub on the river. - Shopping Centers Near Me - London, XGL

I was fortunate to share a meal last week with, amongst others, the Main Man at AbbeyFest & his Good Lady. I was very pleasantly reminded of the event last year and felt the time was right to flag it up to all you interested Qypers. 'The Duck' nails the place down very well indeed (see previous review) and I remember a safe, pedestrianised venue with a number of quirky buildings, a stream and an ambience akin to an industrial Pantiles (Tunbridge Wells' Georgian pedestrian precinct) meeting Camden Market. The music was good & free, there was a carnival vibe with families & kids everywhere, good ethnic food (check out the pad Thai at the, er, Thai place) & a great comedy gig in the small theatre for afters. You MUST check it out this Summer: It is an unusual, inspiring place & a rare find. I believe that they are screening some World Cup fixtures on large screens too. Check out the link........ http://www.mertonabbeymills.org.uk read more

Merton Abbey Mills - Shopping Centers Near Me - London, XGL

Merton Abbey Mills is one of the gems of SW London. Located across the road from the huge Savacentre, it has several different characters. The most well knows is the market and food bazaar that take place at the weekend. A happy throng of people can be seen here, browsing through the nick nacks and enjoying food from the many and varied food stalls. You can have a slap up meal from around the globe for 5-10 quid. I also enjoy the pottery demonstrations. In the evenings, you have a few restaurants serving food from Italy, Thailand, the Caribbean to an old English pub. There are food markets, free jazz and blues events throughout the year. A great place to hang out in SW London read more

Merton Abbey Mills is easily one of my best finds in the 7 or so years wandering around London. I say 'best find' as it's not evidently a widely known place. The first time I stumbled into it was whilst hungover on the way to Sainsburys for a greasy fry up - my post binge autopilot diverted me to the alluring cafe in Merton Abbey Mills and I woke up from my semi-comatosed state enjoying a very tasty and generous Full English. Hardly greasy at all, washed down with some lovely unpretencious coffee! (Run away all you Starbucks phoney coffee drinkers, here's the real stuff!!!) After further forages into the 'Mills I am quite becoming the loyal type of chap I never knew I had in me, being an extravagent wanderer and 'grass is probably greener on the other side, let's go have a look...' kind of guy. Merton Abbey Mills is a collection of shops, restaurants/cafe's and local history. It's not a huge place (compared to the ginormous soul-destroying Sainsbury's across the way). There's the aforementioned fab cafe. A good Italian restaurant. A funky crepe/coffee hut. A chocolate cafe (not literally...). All sorts of permanent and guest stalls that are great for mooching around, checking out the strange and unusual, putting the pennies in the back pocket to use. There's a good pub right on the riverbank (the River Wandle). You can get a lovely hand pulled pint and dangle your feet in the river watching the trout and the perch go by. And, allegedly, the Salmon! Further up is the old water mill, restored but left with the smell of old wood and thick creepy spiderwebs in the odd corner! The wheel spins all weekend and you can stretch out on the bank being lightly mesmerised, wondering where all the city stress and fast lane attitude has dissapated to. I could go on, guess you could say I was a fan! After you're all consumed/relaxed out you can follow the pretty river path up to Morden Hall Park and beyond for a lovely wander. Go find it! read more

Summer is just round the corner and if you happen to be around Colliers Wood then Abbey Mills is the place to be. It's a sqaure packed with small boutiques, market stalls, gift shops, art/craft workshops, a pub and small restaurants. They also run music and social events through out the summer. Abbey Mills is situated by the Riverside, so why not take a nice stroll along the canal which will lead you to Deen Farm. A great place to hang out with family and friends. read more

Merton Abbey Mills is a lovely place to spend a few hours. Originally home of William Morris's print works, this buildings of previous Industrial nature next to the river Wandle has new vibrancy as a lovely market. Whilst the resident shop units are open Monday to Friday office hours, it is the weekends and during its own festival AbbeyFest and the AbbeyFest Friday night free summer concerts that the Mills is best. Merton Abbey Mills features markets of crafts at the weekend and it can be a real hustle and bustle for for family day out. If here, with kids go onto the Deen City Farm too as part of a day out. Anyway, Merton Abbey Mills has a music string shop, florists, Charlie's Rock shop which all sorts of gems, an Italian restaurant, William Morris pub, a cafe, Garfield's wonderful West Indian takeaway (highly rated) and various other craft stalls. Transport is not too far away with limited car parking at the Sainsbury's Savacentre the other side of the A24. Colliers Wood tube is 5 minutes walk. and a host of bus routes stop there, but none stop at the Mills unfortunately. read more

This is a great place to do some shopping for special gifts or for your home. It has a number of stalls selling canvas paintings and glass wear.You can also find cushions, jewellery etc. It is very easy place to spent a couple of hours browsing the stalls on a sunday afternoon and there is lots of parking nearby.I happened upon it because I was staying at the premier inn on the saturday night and I had to check it out on the sunday before setting off on my travels back to Manchester. read more

Great place! Interesting little shops, pottery, cafe, craft shops and stalls, good pub and a watermill, pizzeria and theatre! Where William Morris used to have his printworks even Time Team came to dig! read more

I could spend a whole day here if I wasn't that busy. There's lots to eat and buy from here and I think it would make a perfect spot to bring a visiting friend to. read more