About the reserve

Surrounded by the river in Crane Park, at Whitton near Twickenham, the reserve is a mosaic of woodland, scrub, ditches, ponds and reedbed that has grown up since it stopped being used as an industrial area in the mid-20th century. Crane Park Island now provides a home for many important and rare species and is an important place to learn about the River Crane as it flows downstream towards Isleworth.

At the entrance to the reserve is the Shot Tower, a Grade II listed building formerly used for lead manufacture. It was restored by the Trust in 2004 as a visitor centre, with an exhibition, education rooms and a fifth floor viewing area. It is currently open to the public every Sunday.

History of Crane Park Island

Crane Park is the site of the once notorious Hounslow Gunpowder Mills, built where the island is today. There were other mills along the river as far back as 1066, producing swords, oil and flour. After the mills closed, and a brief period as an ornamental boating pond before it became derelict, the pond was drained to create the reserve in the 1981. London Wildlife Trust has managed it since 1986. The site has been surveyed by English Heritage under a project aimed at discovering, recording and managing the archaeological remains left in the park. Further investigations into Crane Park's history are due to be undertaken as part of a new London Wildlife Trust project called Explosive Histories, which started in November 2016.  

Management of Crane Park Island

The site is managed on behalf of Richmond Upon Thames. Riverside willow and osier are regularly coppiced, reedbeds are cut on rotation, and invasive species management is undertaken regularly.

Status of Crane Park Island

Part of a Site of Metropolitan Importance; Local Nature Reserve; Current holder of The Green Flag Award

'Thirst Off All' Mobile Café

This summer the 'Thirst Off All' mobile café will be operating five days a week at the reserve, offering a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Please note that the Shot Tower toilet facilities will only be available at the weekends. You can find out more about Thirst Off All at their Instagram page here - @thirstoffall

Café opening hours:

Mon-Tue - Closed

Wed-Fri - 8:30am to 5:30pm

Sat-Sun - 8:00am to 5:30pm

Family Learning at Crane Park Island

Crane Park Island hosts a programme of family learning opportunities aimed at the Richmond community through funding from Richmond Borough Council.

For more information and to book on to a workshop, visit our Events page, find the workshop and follow the details. Booking is essential.

We also run other events throughout the year for all the communities around Crane Park Island. Specific activities depend on the time of year and weather conditions. Activities will include river dipping, pond dipping and minibeast hunting. Upcoming sessions will be listed on our Events page.  

Outdoor Education 

We offer inspiring hands-on lessons amongst the wildlife at Crane Park Island. Find out more at Outdoor education 

And visit our bookings page to book your place.

Nature Trail 

Explore the wondrous wildlife at Crane Park Island with our nature trail. 

Download the sheets below to complete the quiz and take rubbings of each brass post as you journey through the reserve.

Quiz sheet

Rubbings Sheet

Rubbings Sheet EXAMPLE

Get involved at Crane Park Island

Volunteer at Crane Park Island

A local team hold volunteering sessions every Thursday (10:30am-1pm), as well as the last Sunday of the month (10:30am-12:30pm, 1:30-3:30pm or the full day with one hour lunch break). Please email the local volunteer coordinator, Eleanor: eleanor.lawrence5@virginmedia.com for more information.

Record your sightings

Record species you've spotted at Crane Park Island