Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry Wetlands credit Penny Dixie
When you visit the reserve, please follow all current Government guidance around social distancing, who you can visit with and hygiene. There will be signage where necessary on-site. We urge you to also follow Government guidance on non-essential travel and please stay local to your nearest reserves and greenspaces.
From 17th August 2020 running and jogging will no longer be allowed on site at Woodberry Wetlands. This is because it has proved impossible to maintain safe social distancing between runners and other visitors. Studies have also shown that running or jogging is far more disruptive to wildlife than walking. You are free to run along the New River Path [on the other side of the river] and in nearby Clissold Park and Finsbury Park
Thanks to our generous supporters, plus Berkeley Group UK and Hackney Council's match funding, the total raised in our recent appeal met the yearly cost to keep Woodberry open. You can still donate - any further donations will still go directly to keep Woodberry open beyond this year.
Help keep Woodberry Wetlands open
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 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.
Coronavirus update
Opening hours – all gates are now open 9am – 4pm
Please note: the cafe will be closed on Monday the 8th of March for essential maintenance.
This will not affect the rest of the reserve and we expect to be open again as usual from Tuesday 9th of March.
The Coal House Cafe
Due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the Coal House Cafe will be open for takeaway only and there will be no outdoor seating available.
Please note that when busy last orders are at 15:45 to ensure everyone is served before site closure and to take into account the one-way system currently in place.
Thank you all for your overwhelming support over the last few months. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
The team at the Coal House Cafe.
Latest news and events from Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry bird highlights: January 2021
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry bird highlights: December 2020
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands
Woodberry bird highlights: November 2020
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands.
Woodberry bird highlights: October 2020
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands.
Woodberry bird highlights: September 2020
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands.
Woodberry Wetlands bird highlights: August 2020
Chris Farthing gives his latest update on recent bird highlights at Woodberry Wetlands
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.

The Coal House at Woodberry Wetlands 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.

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
- 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.