Woodberry Wetlands

A working reservoir in Manor House, closed to the public for almost 200 years, is now a beautiful urban wetland nature reserve

Location

Woodberry Wetlands Main Entrance via New River Path Lordship Road

London

N16 5HQ

Know before you go

Size

12 hectares

Access

There are two entrances, one on the New River Path from Lordship Road and one at Newnton Close. Manor House Underground Station (Piccadilly line) is a five-minute walk from the west entrance and Stamford Hill station a five-minute walk from the northern entrance. Buses 253, 254, 259, and 279 stop in nearby Seven Sisters Road.

Access is level into the reserve, with no steep gradients on the main wheelchair-accessible path that leads from the main entrance to the Coal House, and then on to the New River Studio. Seating is provided at various points around the route. Disabled parking bays are available outside each entrance.

Dogs

Guide dogs only

Facilities

Visitor centre

Toilets

Shop

Cafe/refreshments

Picnic area

Disabled toilet

Baby changing facilities

When to visit

Opening times

There is year-round free admission to the site all week from 9am. In summer (BST) we close at 4.30pm, although the west entrance (Coal House gate) and boardwalk closes later at 5.30pm. In winter (GMT) we close at 4pm, with the west entrance closing at 4.30pm.

Best time to visit

March to November

About the reserve

Woodberry Wetlands was opened by Sir David Attenborough in 2016, having previously been known as Stoke Newington East Reservoir. The wetlands are the result of a proposal by the Trust to enhance the reservoir for wildlife and open it up so people can access a high quality, natural space in a densely built-up environment. The nature reserve is now a thriving habitat for migratory birds and is one of the Trust’s top visitor attractions. Hedgerows and wildflowers line the banks of the reservoir, while newly-created reedbed extensions provide a wetland haven for waterfowl.

For more information about Woodberry Wetlands visit the dedicated website: www.woodberrywetlands.org.uk

History of Woodberry Wetlands

The New River is a man-made waterway built in 1613 to bring clean water into London. Stoke Newington East and West Reservoirs were built in 1833 to hold water from the New River and supply drinking water for new homes in the area. From 1955 chlorine and sodium phosphate gas treatments to ‘purify’ the water in the reservoirs made the site hostile to wildlife. These treatments ceased by the 1980s and nature began to thrive. Proposals to sell off the East Reservoir for development in the late 1980s led to the successful Save the Reservoirs Campaign, which the Trust supported. The Wetlands vision, which grew from the Trust’s management of a community garden next to the East Reservoir, saw the East Reservoir transformed and opened to the public in 2016.

Management of Woodberry Wetlands

Woodberry Wetlands is managed by a volunteering team who help maintain reedbeds, grassland and hedgerows through regular conservation volunteering workdays. A programme of wildlife monitoring and surveys is also undertaken. Facilities at Woodberry Wetlands A boardwalk from the west entrance leads visitors to the Coal House Café, where a roof terrace provides excellent views over the nature reserve. At the northern entrance the New River Studio provides classroom facilities. There are disabled toilets at both locations.