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 [Nature Conservation Interest|Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation], is owned by Sutton Council and is managed by the London [Wildlife Trust].

Features

A fish pond still remains from a former public garden on the site. 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.

History

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