(The Energy Fields)
The northern and western areas of the Park
Features such as permanent grass margins and
feature spectacular wildflower meadows that
conservation headlands will benefit wildlife, in
constantly change colour through the seasons,
particular birds such as Grey Partridge and
bursting with butterflies and flowers in summer,
Skylark. Sacrificial seed-rich crops are sown
while the bleached grassy tussocks ripple in the
within the farmland to provide food during the
1
Ware Harlow
winter for farmland birds such as Linnets,
Ware
Yellowhammers and Tree Sparrows. The
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3
farmland. Follow the signs to the top of the hill to enjoy stunning views over the Lee Valley corridor and the hills of Epping Forest. For a
shrubs dissect the meadows, mimicking
more rural ramble continue on the public
shock waves which fan out from the centre
footpaths, down the grassy field margins by the
of a dynamic landform “explosion”, near the
hedgerows between the arable fields.
Ware Hoddesdon
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Hoddesdon Broxbourne Ware
defining features: slashes of scarlet across the
A10
This is a popular nesting place for skylarks;
In the far southwest corner of the Park are
their spiralling songs fill the air in the spring
Knights Pits and Sewardstone Marsh, where
and summer. This area used to house row upon
grassy paths meander through the flooded
row of blast testing bunkers. The footprints of
gravel pits, meadows and woodlands. Westway
these have been picked out with rectangular
Bridge and Cattlegate Bridge along the western
plantations of willow trees, and blocks of
boundary provide links to Enfield Lock, Swan
wildflowers sown among the grasses.
and Pike Pool, and Rammey Marsh.
J25
A10
J25
Broxbourne Cheshunt Hoddesdon
A10
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times vary.
(The Salix)
The large area of grassland in front of the building
Osier Marsh is a wet woodland and important
is cut short year round to provide an area for
wildlife refuge. Boardwalks and paths guide you
informal games and picnicking. To the north of
through a tangled jungle of birch and willow carpeted with lichens and mosses. Two viewing points over seasonal pools allow you to watch wetland birds feeding and raising their chicks.
If you enjoy wildlife, sport, countryside, places to stay, then the Lee Valley Regional
India Dock Basin. The Park’s unique natural features have
riverside trails, plus some excellent sports and
Ditch Central and Black Ditch West provide 24 hour pedestrian and cycle access.
recreation centres. The wood lies wet in the winter and supports Woodcock, wintering thrushes and large mixed tit flocks. Long-eared Owls have roosted in the past, and Tawny Owls and Little Owls have also been seen. Muntjac deer are also common. On the eastern edge of the Marsh is a new deciduous woodland, planted with 26,000 native trees and shrubs.
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There are so many places to visit in the Park and things to do, we’re sure you’ll have a great time whatever activity you choose. The Lee Valley Regional Park Map highlights some of our key sites and their locations.
M25
13 14 15
Ch
Ch
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Waltham
A406 J27
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M25 A406ott ha m
o r
Walthamsto
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The Old Mill a& Meadows
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a
trat or
A13
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LIVERPOOL STREET l or STATION A406
25
A13 trat orha
m
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11
Myddelton House Gardens
=Lee Places to Stay 12 Valley Camping
& Caravan Park,
Edmonton r ham 13l or s Lee Valley Athletics Centre ha m 14 Lee Valley Golf Course
A13
24 25
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22 24
Walthamsto 25
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o r
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Centre
Gunpowder Park is located at the top of Greater London just south of historic Waltham Abbey and the M25 (between junctions 25 and 26). The main entrance is on l orthe Sewardstone Road (A112) south of the roundabout junction with the A121. There are pedestrian and cycle access points along each side of the Park.
19 17 18
l or
trat or
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o r
A104
Walthamsto
ye Meads Nature Reserve 19 R & Rye House Gatehouse 17 18 21
LIVERPOOL STREET STATION Places to Stay 2 =Lee Valley Boat
3
J27
M11
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a LIVERPOOL STREET STATION ott ha m Key 1
J26
l
A406 19
22
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for 26 miles between Ware in Hertfordshire,
country parks, nature reserves and lake and
Two bridges along the north perimeter, Black
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destination for sport and leisure and stretches
areas, urban green spaces, heritage sites,
of water voles, Reed Warblers and dragonflies.
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a
through Essex to the River Thames at East
Waltham
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ott ha m
Park is the place for you. The Park is a regional
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l 16
15 Tottenham Marshes trat or r ham 16 s 23 =YHA Places to Valley, Stay Cheshunt 5 Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve Lee Lee Valley Ice Centre 6 Meadows Dragonfly24Sanctuary A13 Cornmill Lee Valley Riding Centre LIVERPOOL STREET STATION 7 Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve Abbey Farmhouse & Gardens 25 ha m WaterWorks Nature Reserve & Golf Centre 8 Rammey Marsh 17 Three Mills 9 Gunpowder Park r ham 18 s to Stay Bow Creek Ecology Park 10 = LPlaces ee Valley Camping & Caravan Park, 19 East India Dock Basin Sewardstone 4
Lee Valley Park Farms
J27
12
Walthamsto
12
M25
11
J27
J26
Ch
J26 10
M25 M11
10 11
Waltham
Cross
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11
Ch
heritage, fantastic open spaces with great
been shaped by a mosaic of countryside
the Park Centre lies Black Ditch, a favourite haunt
ott ha m
J26
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13 14 9 15
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Waltham
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13 14 15
l Waltham Cross
J25
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Lee Valley Regional Park
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12
The Park Centre functions as a working
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6
M11 Waltham 8
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M11
Cheshunt J7
5
Cheshunt
A10
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7
5
J25
Osier Marsh
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Harlow
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Waltham Cross
Broxbourne Waltham Cross
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Cheshunt
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Broxbourne
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l
Black Ditch and the Park Centre
can be used for private meetings, opening
J7
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workshops and special events. The building
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2
(Blast Mound Plateau)
activities including exhibitions, creative
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3
autumn landscape.
environment to accommodate a range of free
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10
Cob Meadow
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J7Hoddesdon
Harlow
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Park Centre, creating one of the Park’s
The Park is an ideal place for walkers and cyclists, with a comprehensive network of surfaced paths accessible in all weathers. There is also a permissive bridleway for summer use circling the arable fields. There are public toilets, including baby changing and disabled facilities.
J7
Harlow
Greenwich Meridian Line runs through the
winter winds. Bands of native trees and
River Lee Country Park
(Shock Wave Galleries)
A new Country Park
Cob Field
Gunpowder Park
What can I see in Gunpowder Park?
Cob Fields
ha
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r ham
Nearest rail stations: Waltham Cross, Enfield Lock, then walk approx 30 minutes, bus or taxi. Chingford, then bus or taxi. Traveline: 0870 608 2608 www.traveline.org.uk Gunpowder Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The car park and public toilets are open every day but times may vary. The Field Station and car park are monitored by s24hr CCTV. Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3GP Lee Valley Regional Park Information Service 08456 770 600 info@leevalleypark.org.uk www.leevalleypark.org.uk
Information correct at time of print
Waltham Cross
M25
� junction 25
junction 26 �
Black Ditch Central Bridge
Greenwich Meridian Line
Black Ditch West Bridge Black Ditch
Gunpowder Park is 90 hectares of new country park for the benefit of people and wildlife. Through a multi million pound investment by the Lee Valley Regional Park
Gunpowder Park’s dynamic landscape evokes the site’s historic explosive
Authority, the park land has been reclaimed and regenerated from its former
past and provides distinctive and accessible spaces for entertainment
use as a Royal Ordnance munitions testing facility. After 100 years as a
and outdoor recreation.
closed site, the land has been transformed into a dynamic new country park. Gunpowder Park opened to the public on 3 June 2004 in the presence of HRH Duke of Edinburgh.
The 90 hectares are shaped into four distinct bioregions. These include wildflower meadows with their distinctive landforms made from 100,000m3 of new soil and 45,000 native species of trees and shrubs British provenance. The other areas contain wet willow woodland with seasonal pools, a new deciduous woodland plantation, and productive
MAIN ENTRANCE
Newmans Sluice
agricultural land.
Park Centre
w a rd
s t one
Cattlegate F
Ro a d
lood Relief C
hannel
River Lee Navigation
An environmentally friendly, state of the art building for exhibitions, workshops, seminars and special events.
Cob Fields (Shock Waves Galleries)
14 hectares of grassland, meadow, pathways and vistas.
A1
12
Se
Westway Bridge
Enfield Lock
Cob Meadow (Blast Mound Plateau)
21 hectares of new meadow, a massive earthwork stage, with blocks of trees and wild flowers
27 hectares of wildlife refuge and a unique wetland with a boardwalk and birdwatching screens; protected area for contemplation, observation and interaction.
Key Car Park Cattlegate Bridge
Coach Park Toilet
Sewardstone Marsh
Shared use path
Disabled Toilet
Grass path
Access
Permissive Summer Bridleway
Bus Stop Bench
Access to Swan and Pike Pool
Osier Marsh (The Salix)
National Cycle Route
Dog Bin
Public Right of Way
Viewpoint
Ditches
Wild flower planting
Circular walk: 45mins, with 20 mins extension
Cyclists are welcome to ride in the Park, both along the National Cycle Route and on the Park’s main pathways. Main pathways are wheelchair accessible. Responsible dog walkers are welcome; please use the dog bins provided.
Cob Field (The Energy Fields)
28 hectares of working arable farmland managed with wildlife in mind and disected by the Greenwich Meridian Line.
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT GUNPOWDER PARK, TURN OVER…
Photo credits: David Cottridge, David Tothill, AREA