Tottenham Marshes

Tottenham Marshes lie in the London Borough of Haringey, beside the River Lea. They cover more than forty hectares and form part of the Lee Valley Park. Three linked areas make up the site: Clendish Marsh, Wild Marsh West and Wild Marsh East. The two Wild Marsh sections are divided by the river, which once flooded the whole plain. The marshes remain one of London’s few semi-natural wetlands. They hold neutral grassland, sedge marsh, reed swamp, sallow scrub and patches of tall herbs. Rare plants and insects live here that are hard to find elsewhere in the capital. Skylarks and short-eared owls nest among the grasses, while brown argus butterflies drift over the flowers. Paths cross the marshes, letting visitors see the changing habitats. Wild Marsh East was cut in two when the river was moved in the 19th century for reservoirs. The site once hosted Tottenham Hotspur’s first football ground in 1882. Today it offers quiet walks beside water, reed beds and open meadows.