Walthamstow Wetlands, London Wildlife Trust Reviews Summary

Scenic Beauty and Atmosphere

Pros:

• "This is a beautiful preserve in the middle of the city."
• "It's so peaceful midweek and it's stunningly beautiful during warmer months."
• "A beautiful place to relax just on the outskirts of Walthamstow."
• "Such a peaceful place for picnics and walks."
• "An absolute gem of a place. Wild waterfowl within easy reach."
• "Absolutely a hidden gem in North London, with a truly peaceful environment."
• "Absolutely stunning water reservoir. The view over it is phenomenal."
• "On the edge of London and walking distance from transport hubs, it's literally a breath of fresh air."

Cons:

• "The only downside is that it closes fairly early on weekends."
• "Access points from Walthamstow could be improved, and increased."
• "However, it is a working site and so some areas can be closed off abruptly."
• "The south-east section is a great place and very scenic. However, 50% of the paths there are only accessible via a guided walk."
• "It's tricky to find the actual car park entrance even with all the banners."
• "The south wetlands have done improvements recently, but it's very hard to find the exits to leave - sign posting could be improved."
• "The visitor centre is a bit bland."
• "The main entrance to Walthamstow Wetlands is along Forest Road and directly opposite the Ferry man's Inn an excellent Gastropub with a fine beer garden."

Wildlife and Bird Watching

Pros:

• "Great for bird watching, there are many large groups of birders on weekends."
• "We saw a great crested grebe mother carrying two chicks on her back! Fabulous!"
• "My kids stopped at every viewing platform to see what birds they can see."
• "Lots of birds and ducks around the wetlands and reservoirs, which you can easily see anywhere."
• "Had a lovely visit to the Wetlands with a pal today. Enjoyed the bird hide and waking around the reservoir."
• "Great for long walks or cycling although the path can get a bit narrow in places."
• "There's a lot of marshes, reservoirs, with all kinds birdlife (mallards, greylag and Canada geese, swans, amongst numerous others)."
• "You can enjoy serene walks, observe the wildlife, take in the view of the reservoir, and even have brunch in the cafe near Engine House."

Cons:

• "I visited the Wetlandscentre recently with a Camera Club colleague, in order to photograph some of the Birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately, on the day we visited, bird activity was minimal."
• "The Wetlands is a great experience for families wishing to experience nature walks and it provides educational boards and clear route markers."
• "Would not believe your in Walthamstow... it's like being far away from the city...free entry so Don't mind paying pricy coffees and cake! It's like a wonderful protected wild area."
• "One thing to note is the fact that parking is quite expensive. E.g. four hours cost me £6, so if you visit by car, bear this in mind."

Cafe and Amenities

Pros:

• "Stopped at the cafe at the end of our walk, again it was very busy but we did find a seat and enjoyed our hot chocolates."
• "There’s a very sweet cafe and entrance hall too selling cards, gifts, coffees, soups and sandwiches."
• "The café in the Engine House serves good hot chocolate and great espresso."
• "A nice pub called the ferry boat inn which after an afternoon walking around the wetlands can be good place for food and drinks."
• "The Coppermill cafe and shop and wildlife protection efforts are great."
• "Lovely walk with the buggy along one of the reservoirs, recommended by one of the helpful guides in the Engine House. We liked the cafe as it had outdoor seating and sold hot chocolates!"
• "Lovely surroundings spoilt by a so-called cafe that closed at 4pm but shut their coffee machines off at 3pm for a wedding at 4.30pm?? Loads of people crowded around so not a good experience."
• "The Cafe in the Engine House is super nice. I recommend the chicken burger with chunky chips."

Cons:

• "Today I have updated and taken a star off, 4 stars instead of 5. We went into the cafe and oh my word, talk about miserable service, it was the worse service I have experienced."
• "We were going to get a bite to eat but declined as a bit of courtesy goes a long way. So very disappointed with the cafe."
• "The cafeteria on the first floor offered little choices and bad service."
• "A lovely place to visit. It is free to get in, and it is such a beautiful and relaxing place to be as you are so close to nature."
• "The cafe has already reopened for takeaway / eating outside and they do good bacon / sausage ciabattas."
• "The cafe is pleasant and cosy with a reasonable selection of sandwiches and hot meals."
• "The cafe is very welcoming with a good variety of food and drink."
• "The cafe is nice for tea and cake (they also do lunch but we didn't try any). Service could be slicker."