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Walthamstow Wetlands

Nestled just minutes from the buzz of the capital, Walthamstow Wetlands is the perfect place to get away from it all and find your wild.

  • Europe’s largest urban wetlands and London’s largest fishery
  • In 2017, Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the public for the first time in 150 years
  • The Grade II-listed Coppermill Tower offers unique views of the capital
  • The special swift tower at the Engine House attracts swifts and roosting bats
  • It’s a fully operational Thames Water site, providing water for 3.5 million people
  • The reserve is run by the London Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Thames Water and the London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • From the Domesday Book to reservoirs hand-dug by Victorian navvies, the wetlands’ history is intertwined with the development of London’s water supply
A banner showing the message live wild at thames on the left on a blue background and view of water with trees and grass in the background.

What to see

Europe’s largest urban wetlands spans ten distinct drinking water reservoirs. It's home to an abundance of native British birdlife, from elusive kingfishers and majestic raptors to the great crested grebe and tufted duck. Take a magical walk spanning up to 211 hectares, with views to inspire and refresh.

Walks here are full of life, with invertebrates, mammals and amphibians sharing the wetlands and marshes with the birds they’re famous for. Walthamstow Wetlands is considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it’s a valuable area for conservation, sheltering rare plants and animals.

A montage showing a view of the lake, people looking at the view, a bird in a bush, and a bird in flight.

A montage showing the lake with buildings in the distance, a view of the lake and trees, an old building with a chimney and a person looking at the lake.

Things to do

Get closer to nature
A dream for bird watchers, this unique environment enjoys global renown for the variety of birds it attracts.

Enjoy excellent angling
Across its ten reservoirs, Walthamstow Wetlands offers superb angling opportunities. You’ll find chub, bream and carp, to name but a few, while the two fly-fishing reservoirs are bustling with both rainbow and brown trout.

Eat, drink and shop
End your day with a stop at the stunning, locally-listed Engine House. It’s now a cosy café, bustling shop full of goodies and displays of local art.

Good to know

  • Open every day 9.30am – 5pm. This can change, so please check the London Wildlife Trust website for updates.
  • Facilities include -a café, car parking, toilets, shop, visitor centre, bird hides, nature reserve (with seasonal footpaths), heritage buildings, forest school, family activities, accessible toilet, baby-changing facilities.
  • No dogs allowed, except guide dogs.
  • From Monday 15 November, we’re repairing two reservoirs in Walthamstow. We need to do this work during the winter to reduce the impact on birds and wildlife at the site. Learn more about the improvements we're making

How to find us



By car: Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Road, London N17 9NH

Public transport: we are a short walk from Tottenham Hale or Blackhorse Road train stations