Merton will always be close to my heart (it was the first place I lived in London) so I might be a bit biased, but I think it deserves a lot more love.
It’s often overlooked by tourists, except during Wimbledon fortnight. But its heritage offering is genuinely excellent. Where else can you find medieval remains beneath a Sainsbury’s car park, a working windmill museum, a Buddhist temple, and deep industrial heritage?
It’s a quietly fascinating borough, albeit with sites spread pretty far apart. There’s, of course, the tennis heritage in the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum – pricey admission but a must for tennis fans.
And then there are Merton’s two small-but-mighty community heritage museums: the Wandle Industrial Museum and the Museum of Wimbledon.
In Wimbledon Common – one of London’s most spectacular spaces – is the Wimbledon Windmill Museum. Elsewhere you’ll find the remains of the medieval Merton Priory Chapter House, one of the most important monasteries of the middle ages, dissolved by Henry VIII and later rediscovered under a Sainsbury’s car park.
Other than the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, all of these museums are volunteer run, and deeply rooted in the local community.
Finally, it’s not a museum, but I’d also recommend visiting Merton Abbey Mills. You’ll learn about the Mills by visiting the Wandle Industrial Museum, but its now a lovely collection of independent shops, businesses and a pub, next to the Wandle River – in a part of town that otherwise feels very industrial.
Explore all museums in Merton below. You’ll also find museums in nearby boroughs further down the page.
-
Merton Priory Chapter House
The excavated remains of a medieval priory, founded nearly 1,000 years ago and now displayed in an underpass museum. -
Museum of Wimbledon
An independent, volunteer-run local history museum showcasing Wimbledon's history and the people who've lived here. Includes a collection relating to... -
Wandle Industrial Museum
A small, community museum focusing on the industrial heritage of the River Wandle, including Young's Brewery; William Morris' printworks; lavender,... -
Wat Buddhapadipa
The first Buddhist temple of its kind in the UK, with peaceful gardens and a striking temple. -
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
The world’s largest tennis museum, within the Wimbledon Tennis Club, right next to Centre Court. Usually visited as part of... -
Wimbledon Windmill Museum
A tiny museum inside an 1817 windmill on Wimbledon Common. As well as exploring the windmill itself, there are exhibits...
Museums near Merton
Sights are spread a little further apart in this part of South London – but not too far from Merton is the Dorich House Museum. You can also quite easily get to Richmond, home to many excellent museums, from blockbusters like Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and the World Rugby Museum, to hidden gems like the Eel Pie Island Museum.
Thanks for visiting my blog! This post may contain affiliate links - which means if you make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to yourself. This helps me keep this site running for free.