Lea Bridge Road Nature Reserves – three for free!
The Lea Bridge Road area of Leyton might just surprise you! Uniquely in London our three nature reserves are within a few minutes walk of one another and visiting won’t cost you a penny. The three open spaces provide a fantastic day out for everyone, only added to by their close location to our Riding, Ice and Golf Centres, which can also be visited as part of a day out. Most of the sites have easy access with onsite parking or are close to the frequent buses on Lea Bridge Road. Many of the paths are suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Use this guide to find out what’s hidden behind Lea Bridge Road and you might just surprise yourself! For more detailed information on wildlife and walking routes you can pop into the Waterworks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre, call 020 89887566 or visit www.leevalleypark.org.uk Also located close by Lea Rowing Club & Leaside Educational Trust (for canoeing) The Pump House Steam and Transport Museum (open Saturdays and Sundays – call 020 8521 1766 for more details and prices) Public Transport London Underground – 020 7222 1234 National Rail – 08457 48 49 50
Waterworks Nature Reserve
The Waterworks Nature Reserve
(Formerly The Essex Filter Beds)
Since the Park’s takeover of the filter beds in 1986, the site has been colonised by nature and has since been managed by the Park’s Rangers for the conservation of nature and wildlife, in particular, birds.
Background Now a unique wildlife haven situated minutes from central London, the Waterworks Nature Reserve was originally home to the East London Waterworks Company who began to develop the site as a water treatment works between 1852 and 1854 to overcome cholera. The first six filter beds were built on the Middlesex side of the river (now known as the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve) and in 1855 were joined by another six beds, which have since been filled in, and the construction of an aqueduct linking them to Walthamstow Reservoirs. The six radial beds on this site date from 1870 and the rectangular beds, from 1880-82.
In early 2002 one of the largest bird hides in London was constructed in the centre of the radial beds providing a fantastic ‘Close Up On Wildlife’ visitor experience. By this time the infrastructure of the visitor centre was also built and in July the entire site was open to the public. The reserve now makes up one half of the Waterworks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre. Nine of the original filter beds remain and each radial bed is managed throughout the year to show different stages of succession, ranging from open water to floodplain grassland through to dense reed and willow woodland. Over 322 species of plants have been found, two of which are locally scarce. There are Grass Snakes, Common Frogs, Common Toads, and Smooth Newts together with the enigmatic introduced Edible Frog. Over 25 species of breeding birds, including Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Song Thrush, Linnet and Reed Bunting have colonised the site. Kingfishers breed nearby and are regular visitors to the site for feeding. Winter visitors include species such as Gadwall, Teal and the Grey Heron. The site is also host to over one quarter of the species of dragonfly found in Britain. The nature reserve is open from 8am until dusk and the onsite visitor centre provides an interpretation area with 15 interactive exhibits giving free information on the history and wildlife of the beds. There is also a classroom area (which can be hired for meetings and functions), plus of course the par 3 golf course which makes for an interesting day out for all the family! Other site facilities include Licensed café
Bed 13 on the Waterworks Nature Reserve
Shop Driving Range
After years of improvements and expansions, the filter beds couldn’t cope with the demand for good quality drinking water and were consequently shut down, Middlesex Filter Beds in 1969 and the Essex Filter Beds in the late 1970’s. Subsequently, Thames Water took over the site for a short period in the 1980’s for fishery experiments, and filled in four of the rectangular beds with landfill. They then swapped the land with the then Greater London Council (GLC) and on the 31st of January 1986 Lee Valley Regional Park Authority took possession.
Toilets and baby change Parking with allocated disabled bays
Café at Waterworks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre
Emperor Moth Caterpillar
Coppermill Fields
Middlesex Filter Beds
Middlesex Filter Beds
Background Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve, measuring ten acres is the sister site to the Waterworks Nature Reserve (formerly the Essex Filter Beds), also built by the East London Waterworks Company to purify water between 1852-54. In 1969, the beds were taken out of operation and the site was subjected to several years of human disturbance and abuse. Fires were started, nest sites that had been created were trampled and birds shot. In 1988 the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority officially acquired the site from Thames Water. Ensuring minimum disturbance to the existing wildlife and habitats, it was made safe and secure, access for visitors was improved, extensive landscaping carried out and the remaining artifacts from the original waterworks preserved.
Cuckoo Flower
Existing habitats include open water, marsh reed bed and swampy scrub communities. As natural succession eventually results in woodland domination, reducing the range of habitats and associated wildlife, the Lee Valley Regional Park rangers are managing the site to maintain a variety of vegetation types within the Nature Reserve. As a result wildlife has continued to thrive. More than 200 plant species have been recorded including Rosebay Willowherb, Purple Loosestrife, Canadian Golden Rod and Lady’s Smock also known as Cuckoo Flower. Poplars and Willows have transformed three of the filter beds into attractive dense woodland where cross pollination of different types has produced unique hybrids. Natural glades provide an ideal habitat for the resident colony of Speckled Wood butterflies. On the open water Mallards, Coots and Moorhens can be seen swimming and feeding. During the summer Reed Warblers flit through the reed beds, building nests and rearing their young. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers are common on the site and in spring their young can be seen flying around the trees. Teal and waders including Common Sandpiper and Snipe are attracted by the muddy margins of the filter beds. The wetland is ideal for amphibians; toads, newts and frogs all breed here. The filter beds also attract Blue-tailed Damselflies, the Common Darter and Migrant Hawker Dragonflies. As well as the sites industrial heritage and diverse wildlife, there are also two artwork features on the reserve. In 1990 two local artists were commissioned to design and install sculptures on the site, with the participation of local schools
and community groups. ‘Natures Throne’ also known as the Park’s Stone Henge was designed and built by Paula Haughney who used five of the huge granite blocks retrieved from the foundations of the ‘Victoria’ Engine House. From these she formed a gigantic seat, carved with waves, fishes and local flora and fauna. Surrounding the seat is a giant circle using other foundation stones from the site. Kate Malone’s work has an aquatic theme. ‘Magic Fish’ consists of enormous ceramic fishes which can be found emerging from the open waters of one of the filter beds. The site is now a peaceful haven for nature and people alike, and offers the visitor a welcome retreat from the urban surroundings. Its attraction lies in the blend of industrial, natural and human influences which have shaped its appearance today. In conjunction with the nearby Walthamstow Marshes and the Waterworks Nature Reserve, Middlesex Filter Beds are one of the capital’s most valuable resources for wildlife. Opening hours: 10.00 – 4.00 pm every day (except Christmas Day).
Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve Background Walthamstow Marshes is a tiny fragment of the once extensive marshes in the Lower Lee Valley and although it has been subject to much change over the last few hundred years and continues to change today, it still contains features which give an interesting insight into its past. The Marsh has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a highly important place for certain rare plants, birds and other wildlife.
Cattle and the Landscape Part of the importance of the marsh lies in its lack of history. The main marsh has escaped the development pressures which destroyed similar grasslands. Instead what we have is a landform which is little changed since the glaciers retreated north many thousands of years ago. This has left a pattern of braided river channels across the marsh which can still be seen on the rare occasions when the marsh floods in the winter. Being a fertile grassland the marsh was grazed going back in to pre-history. This ancient tradition died out in the early years of the 20th century as the surrounding area became completely urbanised. In 2003 the clock was turned back however and the Lee Valley Regional Park re-introduced a small herd of old breed cattle to a part of the marsh. Apart from being very popular with visitors these help to conserve the natural history of the marsh by grazing down the more aggressive plants, spreading seeds on their hooves and by breaking up the uniform structure of the ungrazed vegetation, which is important for insects.
The River Lee Navigation It is over 200 years ago now that the river was straightened out to improve navigation for barges. Until the early 20th century the river was still busy with industrial traffic, particularly for the timber yards that lined the banks. Nowadays the barges have given way to narrowboats and other leisure craft. The river has a towpath along which horses used to be led for the drawing of the barges along the river. Now you can walk or cycle along it. The river is also a day fishery and is popular with various birds. Coots, Moorhens and Mute Swans can be seen all year round. Also look out for Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Grey Herons and Cormorants. Little Grebes fish in sheltered bays in the winter and in summer you should see and hear Common Terns flying up and down the river.
Wildlife Foxes and rabbits are common and the marsh ditches are a stronghold for the Water Vole as well as being home to a population of the Edible Frog, which with its loud croaking makes for an entertaining walk by the marsh in the summer. At dusk look out for Noctule and Pippistrelle Bats. The main birds of the marsh are Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting. The drier areas are good for Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Linnet and in summer various warblers. In winter Fieldfare also feed in the paddocks around the Riding Centre. The main marsh has a rich flora which includes one of Britain’s rarest plants, Creeping Marshwort. The row of Poplar trees includes three native Black Poplars, characterised by their arching lower branches. The main plants of the ditches and wetter areas are Russian and Common Comfrey, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris, Meadowsweet, Angelica and Meadow Vetchling. Black Knapweed dominates the drier areas but it is accompanied by a varied flora including Agrimony and Goat’sbeard. Some interesting plants also occur by the Pathway including Bee Orchid, Penny-royal and Slender Thistle. Bee Orchid
Key to Area Map Rye Meads Nature Reserve & Rye House Gatehouse Dobbs Weir Lee Valley Boat Centre & Chalets & Lee Valley Leisure Pool The Old Mill & Meadows Lee Valley Park Farms YHA Lee Valley Cheshunt Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary Abbey Farmhouse & Gardens Rammey Marsh Gunpowder Park Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park, Sewardstone Myddelton House Gardens Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park, Edmonton Lee Valley Athletics Centre Lee Valley Golf Course Tottenham Marshes Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve Lee Valley Ice Centre Lee Valley Riding Centre Middlesex Filter Beds & Nature Reserve Lee Valley WaterWorks Nature Reserve & Golf Centre Three Mills Bow Creek Ecology Park East India Bock Basin
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Our sites off Lea Bridge are just some of the many fantastic and varied places we have in the Lee Valley Regional Park. The whole Regional Park is 26 glorious miles long and stretches from Ware in Hertfordshire, down through part of Essex to the River Thames at the East India Dock Basin. The Regional Park’s unique natural features have been shaped by a mosaic of countryside areas, urban green spaces, heritage sites, country parks, nature reserves and lake and riverside trails, plus some excellent sports and recreation centres too. If you enjoy wildlife, walking, cycling, countryside and great places to stay the Lee Valley Regional Park is the place for you! Our map highlights some of our key sites and their locations.
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Contact us For full details please call our Information Service on 01992 702 200, visit www.leevalleypark.org.uk or email info@leevalleypark.org.uk