
Woodberry Wetlands credit Penny Dixie
Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry Wetlands is a haven for wildlife and people in Hackney: 11 hectares of reed-fringed ponds and dykes, always free and accessible to everyone. The reserve is five minutes’ walk from the densely built-up areas of Manor House, Stoke Newington and Woodberry Down. The contrast between the surrounding tower blocks and the wild wetland habitat with old oak trees is almost unbelievable.
The nature reserve is free to visit between 9am - 4.00pm every day of the week, it offers great opportunities for people to enjoy nature in the heart of London. There is also a café to enjoy refreshments and plenty of activities for all.
Please note that to benefit the wildlife that calls Woodberry Wetlands home, running and jogging is no longer allowed at the reserve.
Latest news and events from Woodberry Wetlands

Coal House Café news
The much-loved outdoor canopy is back! Enjoy a warming hot drink or bite to eat after exploring the wonderful wildlife that Woodbery Wetlands has to offer.
About the nature reserve
Red-veined Darter at Woodberry Wetlands credit Chris Farthing
Wildlife
Woodberry Wetlands supports lots of species throughout the year, from wintering populations of pochard, shoveler, tufted and gadwall ducks, to reed warbler and bunting who have migrated from Africa for spring and summer.

Credit Penny Dixie
Coal House Café
The stylish Grade II Listed Coal House, built in 1833, was recently restored to its original grandeur in conjunction with the opening of London Wildlife Trust’s newest nature reserve in May 2016. This former coal house and kitchen situated on the most westerly side of the site now operates as a celebrated café and visitor centre and benefits from a rooftop patio, waterside terrace and sizeable garden.

History
Prior to the building of the new river and reservoirs, the Woodberry Down area was in fact not a wetland at all! On the crest of a hill, the area is rather known confusingly known as ‘down land’, hence the name Woodberry Down.
Activities at Woodberry Wetlands

Willowbrook Primary School at Woodberry Wetlands credit James Cracknell
School Visits
Schoolchildren can go minibeast hunting, pond dipping, and take part in wildlife habitat walks. Our outdoor learning projects are developed in close dialogue with schools to ensure activities are linked to the national curriculum.

David Tipling
Nature Tots Forest Schools
Let your children find their wild side! Join us at Nature Tots for 18 month – 5 year olds.
Nature Tots is a Forest School programme for pre-school children age 18 months to 5 years. We engage and inspire young people and their carers to connect with nature through hands-on outdoor activities around wildlife.

Credit Hayley Bray
Family Activities
If you and your family want to learn more about the wildlife around you in London, join us at Woodberry Wetlands for Wonderful Wildlife Weekends. These sessions are jam-packed with fun activities.

Evening Events
Join us for a magical evening listening to live music or crafting at Woodberry Wetlands.
These events are designed for adults. Profits from these events are invested into London Wildlife Trust’s conservation work and the ongoing care of its nature reserves.
Volunteer at Woodberry Wetlands
Do you want to connect with nature at Woodberry Wetlands? There are lots of different ways to get involved from one-off events to regular volunteering sessions.
For Wild Woodberry corporate volunteering days, please click here.

Credit Penny Dixie
Conservation & Warden Volunteers
We have practical conservation volunteering sessions from Friday to Monday, from 11 am until 4 pm. You'll be involved in the practical maintenance of the site which can include tasks such as managing the reed bed, the hedgerows and meadows.
If you’re not so inclined to heavy physical work but still keen to help us out, you can volunteer as a Warden.

Education Volunteers
Our learning volunteers are vital to help run our formal and informal wildlife sessions for people of all ages.
You will learn how to deliver successful environmental learning programmes and have the opportunity to shadow experienced staff until you become confident to lead sessions (or parts of lessons) on your own.
Private Hire

Drinks reception Woodberry Wetlands
Hire a space at Woodberry Wetlands
The green and peaceful setting and proximity to the City make this an ideal location to host parties and celebrations, wedding receptions, launches, talks and meetings.
Help keep Woodberry Wetlands open

London Wildlife Trust could not open Woodberry Wetlands without the generous support of a wide range of trusts and foundations, lottery distributors, landfill funders and other grant-making bodies. We are immensely grateful to our supporters, whether large or small, who help continue to make Woodberry Wetlands a reality:
- Heritage Lottery Fund
- Thames Water
- Berkeley Homes
- People’s Postcode Lottery
- City Bridge Trust
- Association for Industrial Archaeology
- UPS
- Genesis Wellbeing Fund
- Manor House Development Trust/Big Lottery Fund
- Michael Marks Charitable Trust
- Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
- London Borough of Hackney
- Veolia Environmental Trust

Woodberry Wetlands was opened to the public in 2016. The site is owned by Thames Water and managed by London Wildlife Trust.