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Merton Abbey Mills

The Watermill Restaurant and Grill opened in June 2009 within the historic Merton Abbey Mills venue.

It's an exciting new venture for the couple who have been running the adjacent Commonwealth Cafe for the past nine years.

The Commonwealth Cafe was the new name for The Galleria at Abbey Mills, which John and KC took over in February 2000. Since then it has been transformed from what was basically a small weekend Tea Rooms, into what is now a thriving seven days a week cafe, serving all-day breakfasts, home-made lunches and daily special meals.

 

With the new owners of Merton Abbey Mills since late 2005 (Office Estates Limited) revamping the whole site, by providing new shop and office units as well as a number of new food outlets, John and KC saw the potential for a new traditional restaurant within the historic complex.

Merton Abbey Mills is located by the River Wandle and can trace its origins back to the old Merton Abbey Priory where Henry III held Parliament in 1236. In 1538 the priory was demolished by order of Henry VIII, and most of the

Watermill
masonry was reused to build Nonsuch Palace.

Since the 1600s the site was used for the printing of silks, and includes the only working watermill in the South East of England, from which the new restaurant takes its name! Up until 1970, Merton Abbey Mills was the silk-printing works of the famous Regent Street store, Liberty's. At that time, The Coles Shop (where the restaurant is housed) was used for the dyeing of the fabrics produced by Liberty.

In 1989 the whole of the site was refurbished and planning was granted for it to be used for restaurants, cafes, shops, offices and the famous Merton Abbey Mills weekend crafts market.

Merton Abbey Mills is located on Watermill Way, just off Merantun Way and a short walk along the River Wandle from Colliers Wood tube station on the Northern Line.

The licensed restaurant is open six days a week, Tue-Fri from Noon-4:00pm & 6:00pm-11pm. Opening all day on Saturday (12:30 - 9:45pm) and Sunday (12:30pm - 9:00pm). The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

JOHN & KC