About the reserve

Springwell Reedbed is the largest reedbed in the London area. The wetland provides an important undisturbed refuge for wildlife in this built-up part of the Colne Valley.

The reserve makes up 6% of London’s reedbeds and is a natural filter; it absorbs pollution from water as it grows, improving water quality in the Colne Valley.

The most abundant plant on this reserve, the common reed, provides homes to wildlife, such as harvest mice who weave their nests around the stalks. Hidden in the dense reeds are reed warblers in the summer and water rails in the winter. Moorhens breed here and bats fly overhead, hunting for moths over the reedbed.

Springwell Reedbed is owned by Affinity Water and managed by the Trust. Please note that the reedbed is not accessible but can be enjoyed from the viewpoint.