Walthamstow Wetlands: London's 'best kept secret' opens to public

In fact, were it not for the familiar silhouettes of Canary Wharf and The City embossed on the skyline, you’d have a difficult job convincing anyone this huge nature reserve sits just six miles north of Charing Cross.

Even long-time Walthamstow residents may have never realised this unspoilt, 211-hectare green space haven for nature in Forest Road even existed before last week.

Described as "London's best kept secret" by then-Mayor Boris Johnson in 2012, Europe’s largest urban wetland finally opened its doors to visitors on Friday (October 20) for the first time in its 150-year history.

The launch is the culmination of a £10.6 million project that has taken almost a decade to complete through a partnership of Waltham Forest Council, site owners Thames Water and London Wildlife Trust- as well as being aided by a £4.5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The reserve consists of 10 reservoirs, originally constructed more than a century-and-a-half ago during the Victorian era to bolster the capital’s water supply.

Today these reservoirs are still operational and maintained by Thames Water, providing a massive 500 million litres of water a day to around 3.5 million people living in north east London.

“This project not only protects the site’s nationally important biodiversity, but also showcases a great testament to Victorian engineering in the Walthamstow Reservoirs, which date back to 1863,” says Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London.

“It is tremendously exciting to see Walthamstow Wetlands open to the public as the largest urban wetland nature reserve in London.”

The huge lakes, coupled with the unmanicured approach to maintaining greenery at the park have seen it become an unlikely hotspot for wildlife. 

The wetlands are nationally recognised as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), one of only 37 in Greater London, and also form part of an area of international ecological importance.

Now home to water birds such as pochard, shoveler and gadwall, as well as kingfishers and peregrine falcons, the site also provides a stopover point for migrating birds flying north and south each year. 

The wetlands can also lay claim to being London’s largest heronry and recreational fishery, with species such as trout, carp, roach, tench and perch all present in its lakes.

Efforts to open the site up have not only provided a new spot for walkers, cyclists and anglers, but are paying for the restoration of two historic buildings.

The locally-listed Engine House, originally built in 1885, has been transformed into a visitor centre, café and education space.

The building has already opened to the public and also features a tower for nesting swifts and roosting bats.

The Grade II listed Coppermill Tower at the southern end of the site is still a work in progress, but is expected to open complete with viewing platform by the end of the year. 

A calendar of weekly activities, as well as seasonal events are planned to take place throughout the year at the wetlands while London Wildlife Trust will deliver a programme of interactive learning, volunteering and school engagement with the aim of creating a new generation to look after the site.

Gordon Scorer, chief executive of London Wildlife Trust, said: “As well as being hugely important for wildlife, the wetlands are a fantastic place to enjoy nature alongside the rugged industrial heritage of Victorian London.

“We will be running a wide variety of events, including school visits, to help visitors discover the amazing wildlife that thrives here, and our volunteer opportunities will give local people a chance to get directly involved in protecting the natural wealth of the wetlands.”

• For more information, visit: walthamstowwetlands.com