Today’s site of Waddon Ponds was originally part of the very old, large estate of Waddoncourt farm. Among the many visitors there was Lord Nelson who fished in the extensive lakes. By 1910 Waddon Ponds was part of two estates and the site was purchased by Croydon Corporation in 1928 after the owners of the estates had died [The rest of these estates were sold off to developers]. Today it is the only place in Croydon where the River Wandle can be seen, although it originally flowed from the Swan and Sugarloaf in Brighton Road, through the old Archbishop’s palace and Wandle Park.

Location - TQ3165
There are entrances off The Ridgeway, Waddon Court Road, Wandleside and Mill Lane.

Public transport
Train: Nearest station is Waddon
Bus: 289 along Purley Way and 407 and 410 along Croydon Road

Habitat
Pond surrounded by grass and a few trees/shrubs.

Species
This is the main site in Croydon for Little Grebe and Mute Swan, both of which have bred here in recent years. The usual waterfowl are present, with a few Pochards in winter and this is the best location in Croydon for Coots with around 100 birds present at times.

There are occasional sightings of Water Rail, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. These species may also be joined by the more exotic (but not wild) male Red-crested Pochard and one or two Black Swans.