Woodberry Wetlands

Woodberry Wetlands is a nature reserve on the site of the East Reservoir in the Manor House area of the London Borough of Hackney. The 4.5-hectare site sits close to the Lee Valley and opened to the public in 2016 after two centuries of private use. Thames Water owns the land and the London Wildlife Trust manages it. The reserve sits beside the New River Path, part of a cycle route that links to Walthamstow Wetlands. A boardwalk runs around the water’s edge and a visitors’ centre provides a café and classroom. The site’s history begins with the New River, authorised by King James I in 1604 to bring clean water from Hertfordshire and Middlesex. In 1833 the East Reservoir was built to store water from the New River, its banks lined with stones from the demolished London Bridge. Water still passes through the reservoir before treatment at Walthamstow Reservoirs, while the west reservoir now hosts a water sports centre. The London Wildlife Trust worked with Thames Water, Berkeley Homes and Hackney Council to restore public access. Woodberry Wetlands supports a wide range of wildlife. Migratory birds such as pochard, shoveler and gadwall stop here on journeys to and from the Lee Valley Special Protection Area. Resident birds include grey heron, tufted duck and reed bunting, alongside kingfisher and dragonflies. The London Wildlife Trust expanded the reed beds to create more habitat for breeding reed buntings and warblers, and to help bitterns survive the winter. The reserve’s boardwalk offers views over open water and reedbeds, while the New River Path provides a quiet route through the surrounding area.