Walthamstow Wetlands facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Greater London |
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| Coordinates | 51°35′11″N 0°03′08″W / 51.586350°N 0.052353°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 211 hectares (520 acres) |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Walthamstow Wetlands is a huge nature reserve in east London. It covers 211 hectares (about 521 acres)! This special place is built around the Walthamstow Reservoirs. These reservoirs were made between 1853 and 1904 to supply water to London.
The Wetlands are one of Europe's largest urban wetland nature reserves. They are very important for wildlife, especially for birds. Many birds stop here during their long migrations. Others come to spend the winter or to breed. Visitors can explore this amazing place for free. It shows off nature, old industrial buildings, and local history. All of this is right in the middle of a busy city!
The reservoirs belong to Thames Water. They are also part of a bigger area important for nature. This area has a mix of water and land habitats. It is especially vital for birds across London.
Contents
Where are the Wetlands?
The Walthamstow Wetlands are part of the Lee Valley Park. This park stretches a long way. It goes from Ware in Hertfordshire, about 9 miles north of London. It reaches all the way to where the River Lea meets the River Thames at Blackwall.
In London, the Lee Valley Park forms a green area. At Walthamstow Wetlands, it's about a mile wide. This green space continues south. It even includes the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Further south, it becomes a path along the River Lea. This path connects many open spaces.
A Look Back: History of the Wetlands
The Walthamstow reservoirs were built on marshland. This land was next to the River Lee. The East London Waterworks Company built them. This happened over 50 years, from 1853 to 1904. The reservoirs grew bigger and taller as London needed more water.
In 1904, the Metropolitan Water Board took over the company. Later, in 1974, Thames Water took control.
During World War II, some reservoirs were damaged. This happened during the Blitz (bombing raids). The water level of Lockwood Reservoir was lowered. This was done to prevent big floods if its banks were hit.
For many years, the reservoirs were just for water supply. But now, people know how important they are. They are valued for their nature, beautiful views, and for people to enjoy.
Walthamstow Reservoirs: Water for London
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Cormorant Island
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| Area of Search | Greater London |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 178.3 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The Walthamstow Reservoirs are a mix of different types. Some are raised above the ground. Others are built into the ground. Thames Water owns and manages them. Their main job is to provide drinking water for London.
There are ten water bodies here:
- Lockwood Reservoir
- High Maynard Reservoir
- Low Maynard Reservoir
- East Warwick Reservoir
- West Warwick Reservoir
- Reservoirs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
The Nature Reserve
How the Reserve Was Made
The reservoirs have been turned into a public nature reserve. This is called the Walthamstow Wetlands project. The London Wildlife Trust helped make this happen. They worked with Thames Water and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The reserve first opened to the public in October 2017.
The Heritage Lottery Fund gave £4.4 million to the project. In total, the Walthamstow Wetlands project is worth £8 million. Thames Water also gave £1.84 million.
The Greater London Authority helped too. They funded the Wetlands to Wetlands Greenway. This improved the 3 km (1.9 mi) cycle path. It connects Woodberry Wetlands to Walthamstow Wetlands. This encourages visitors to see both sites.
Special Recognitions
This nature reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's nationally and internationally important. It's vital for waterbirds that breed, migrate, and spend winter here. It's also part of a larger area. This area is important for nature across London.
The Coppermill building is a Grade II listed building. This means it's a historic building that needs to be protected.
Buildings and Architecture
There are two old industrial buildings at the site. These are the Coppermill and the Marine Engine House. The Coppermill gives its name to nearby Coppermill Lane. It also names the Coppermill Stream and the water treatment works.
The Marine Engine House
The Marine Engine House was built in 1894. It used to be called the Ferry Lane Pumping Station. It was built while the reservoirs were being developed.
This building has a complex shape. It's mainly a two-storey building. It has a single-storey part attached to its north side. To the west, there's another single-storey building. This part has the base of a chimney that is no longer there.
The Marine Engine House is made of brick. It has a simple Italianate style. This style was popular for Victorian industrial buildings. It has rounded tops over its main doors and windows.
The roofs are mostly made of plain clay tiles. There are many glass roof-lights in the single-storey parts. The main Engine House roof is steep. It slopes at about 45 degrees. Doors and window frames are made of painted wood. Even without its chimney, it's an impressive old building.
The Marine Engine House is being repaired and updated. It will become a learning center for visitors. It will have:
- Information about the site's nature and history.
- A flexible space for classes, seminars, and events.
- An exhibition called 'Water and Life'.
- A main lobby with a reception and information.
- A café with outdoor seating.
- Toilets.
- A small shop.
The Coppermill
The Coppermill building is a Grade II listed building. It has been changed many times over the centuries. An Italianate tower was added in 1864.
The mill at Walthamstow is mentioned often in old records. In the 14th century, it ground corn. It was powered by the Coppermill Stream. This stream was diverted from the River Lee. In 1611, four mills were mentioned in the area.
From 1659 to 1703, the mill was a paper mill. The nearby stream was even called the Paper-mill River. But in 1699, the marshes were called Powder Mill Marsh. This makes people wonder if the mill made gunpowder. It might have been used during the English Civil War (1642-1651). Other gunpowder mills were in the Lower Lee Valley.
Records from the early 1700s show it was a leather mill. Skin-dressers like Pierre Montier worked there.
The mill was an 'oil mill' until 1806. Then it was rebuilt and sold. In 1859, the East London Waterworks Company bought it. They turned it into a pumping house. Today, the Coppermill is still used by Thames Water.
Amazing Wildlife: Ecology
The Walthamstow Reservoirs have many types of breeding wetland birds. They have more than any other drinking water reservoirs in London.
Many pochard, shoveler, and gadwall spend the winter here. Walthamstow Wetlands is important for breeding birds too. These include grey heron, tufted duck, little egret, and cormorant.
The wooded islands on Reservoir No. 1 have a famous heronry. This is where herons build their nests. The number of breeding pairs here makes it one of the top five sites in the country! The two islands in Reservoir No. 5 used to be a heronry. Now, many cormorants live there.
Other birds that regularly breed here are great crested grebe, pochard, tufted duck, coot, yellow wagtail, sedge warbler, and reed warbler.
Many wading birds visit the reservoirs. They stop here during their long journeys. These include green sandpiper, common sandpiper, dunlin, redshank, and lapwing. Less common visitors include ringed plover, little ringed plover, curlew, ruff, snipe, oystercatcher, wood sandpiper, whimbrel, golden plover, and little stint.
Zebra mussels are from southern Russia and Ukraine. They have made the reservoirs their home. These mussels can cause problems for the water companies. Over time, their groups can grow big. They can block the pipes leading from the reservoirs.
Almost 300 types of plants have been found here. They grow in the wooded areas, grass banks, fen, and open water.
Fun Things to Do: Recreation
The ten reservoirs, the grounds, and the Coppermill Stream create a large natural area. It's a special place, even though it's man-made and fenced.
Many people visit the Wetlands. Birdwatchers come to spot different birds. Naturalists come to study nature. But especially, many anglers (people who fish) visit. All the reservoirs have fish. You can do both coarse fishing and fly fishing here. Some carp caught have weighed over 40 pounds! Rainbow trout up to 5 pounds have also been caught. You need to buy an inexpensive day permit to visit the site.
Images for kids
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Walthamstow Reservoirs
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Path running between reservoirs 4 and 5
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The Marine Engine House prior to renovation works and conversion into a cafe and visitor centre
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Coppermills, Walthamstow
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Wood Sandpiper
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