Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve

Prior to the construction of the reservoirs in Walthamstow in the mid-C19th, the rural landscape here comprised rivers, marshes and farmland. It was known for its good fishing, and the River Lea provided transport and powered mills serving local industries. In 1852 the East London Waterworks Company gained permission to develop land at Walthamstow and by 1863 three reservoirs, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, had been completed covering nearly 18 hectares of land. In 1866 two further reservoirs, Nos. 4 and 5, were constructed, driven by the urgent need for good quality water following problems in London caused by a drought and a cholera epidemic. Two further reservoirs, the High and Low Maynard Reservoirs (named after the local landowner), were completed in 1870 necessitated by London's rapidly increasing population. A new and powerful steam engine was installed at the Coppermill in 1887 for use in the expanding reservoir system. The Engine House was built in 1894, initially known as Ferry Lane Pumping Station and later the Marine Engine House, designed by ELWC's architect H. Tooley. In use until the 1980s, beneath the Engine House was a network of underground reservoirs, chambers and pipes that linked the reservoirs and reached as far as Stoke Newington. In 1895 the East and West Warwick Reservoirs were completed, named after the Countess of Warwick, heiress of the local Maynard family who had sold the land to the ELWC. In 1897 the last reservoir to be constructed was the Lockwood, named after one of the company's directors. It was the largest of the reservoirs, covering 30 hectares and excavated to a depth of c.8 metres.

In 1904 the Walthamstow Reservoirs were taken over by the new Metropolitan Water Board following a series of mergers and nationalisation. Several of the reservoirs at Walthamstow were damaged by bombing in 1940, with the water level in the Lockwood Reservoir lowered to mitigate against possible flooding. In 1973 Thames Water Authority was created as one of the new regional water authorities, public bodies that were responsible for water supply, navigation, land drainage, sewage treatment and fisheries. In 1975 the importance of its wildlife was officially recognised and the Walthamstow Reservoirs were designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In 1989 the water supply and sewage treatment operations of the Thames Water Authority were privatised and Thames Water was established. In 2000 the site was designated as part of the Lea Valley Special Protection Area for wildlife, with 'Ramsar' status as a major part of the Lea Valley's internationally important wetland habitat.

After 10 years of planning, restoration of buildings and habitat enhancement, the Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the public in October 2017, while still continuing to supply water to London. The project has only been possible due to major investment in the area. Of the £10.6m total project cost, £4.47m was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £1.8m from Thames Water and £1.8m from LB Waltham Forest. A further £750k was provided by the Greater London Authority in support of the 2km cycle path through the site. LB Waltham Forest is leading the project in partnership with Thames Water and London Wildlife Trust; other key stakeholders include the Greater London Authority, Natural England and The Environment Agency. A dedicated volunteering team help maintain reedbeds, grassland and hedgerows through regular conservation workdays. A programme of wildlife monitoring and surveys is also undertaken.

The Walthamstow Wetlands project has already helped enrich existing habitats as well as create entirely new ones. New reedbeds have been created in the low-lying reservoirs to support wildfowl populations and attract rare birds such as bittern. Trees have been planted and new meadows and grasslands are being created, while bat boxes, bird nest boxes, and bird feeding stations, are being installed. Volunteering opportunities exist for people of all abilities. Walthamstow Wetlands is the largest recreational fishery in London and a special site is provided for anglers, who pay for use of the platforms