Middlesex Filter Beds

Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve is an area of semi-natural habitats is a rare resource west of the River Lea in East London at Clapton. The site is owned by Thames Water but leased to the Lea Valley Regional Park. It is part of the Lea Valley Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation (SMI)

Address: Lea Bridge Road, London E5 (Map:; OS grid reference TQ359864; nearest postcode E5 9RB)

History
In 1852, three years after London’s worst cholera outbreak and the consequent demand for cleaner, safer water, the East London Waterworks Company constructed the six Middlesex filter beds to remove impurities from the River Lea and provide the surrounding areas with water of improved quality. In later years the filter beds were augmented by another 19, seven of which are now the WaterWorks Nature Reserve (formerly Essex Filter Beds). In total, the site produced an average daily supply of 42.5 million gallons of water. In 1969, after over 100 years in operation, the Middlesex Filter Beds had become outdated and were replaced by the new Coppermills Water Treatment Works in Walthamstow. Thames Water became responsible for the beds in 1974, by which time nature had already taken over and wildlife had begun to colonise the abandoned site. in 1852. The site was leased to the Regional Park in 1988, since when it has been managed as a wildlife reserve.

Habitat
Each disused filter bed is managed to provide a variety of habitats for wildlife, including open water, reed beds and wet woodland. The value of the site for wildlife is increased by the nearness of other  open spaces such as Walthamstow Marsh, Hackney Marshes and the adjacent WaterWorks Nature Reserve.

Species
Birds: More than 60 different species of bird have been recorded at the site, including Snipe, Reed Warbler and Sparrowhawk.

Other vertebrates: The wetland areas are ideal for amphibians such as toads, frogs and newts all of which breed here.

Invertebrates: A variety of damselflies and dragonflies are also common throughout the summer months.

Practicalities
Directions Car parking is available at the River Lee Ice Centre. There is access on foot from River Lee Navigation Towpath. The site is on Section 13 of the Capital Ring. The nearest station is Clapton Station (1.1 km)

Access The site has free access 24 hours a day.

Facilities ??

''This information has been cobbled together from various internet sources by someone who has never visited the site but thinks that it deserves a page on the London Bird Club Wiki. If you are familiar with the site, please correct, expand and/or update this information. Please!''