Walthamstow Marsh
94ac/38ha SSSI
Grid ref: TQ 354 871
Updated 31/12/2023.
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This is one of the last surviving marshlands in London. Formerly grazed as common land under the Lammas system (under which the grass was left uncut until late summer), it was being cut for hay until cattle were reintroduced in 2003. This encourages wild flowers and over 160 species have been recorded here.
One particular beneficiary of the grazing is creeping marshwort, a rare plant that likes the grazed edges of ditches. Reed and sedge warblers nest in the reed beds, and snipe and stonechat visit in winter.
Visiting
On Lea Bridge Road between Walthamstow and Hackney. Park at the WaterWorks Visitor Centre or the Lee Valley Ice Centre on Lea Bridge Road (A104) and follow footpaths from there. SatNav: E10 7QL.
Clapton railway station is about 10 minutes' walk from the Lee Valley Walk alongside the river, via Southwold Road. Regular bus services into London from Walthamstow and Leyton run along Lea Bridge Road.
Accessible at all times.
Summer for wild flowers, butterflies and other insects.
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