Stoke Newington Reservoirs are designated a "Site of Metropolitan Importance for Conservation", and were declared a protected conservation area in 1986.
Completed in 1833 there are 17 hectares of open water - Hackney's most significant wetland area.
An Oak by the east reservoir is, with a yew in Clissold Park, a contender for Hackney's oldest tree.
Map Ref: TQ325874 See Map
Abney Park
Abney Park Cemetery is Hackney’s first Local Nature Reserve. Opened in 1840, two and a half thousand trees were planted to create a garden cemetery of 13 hectares - central London's largest woodland. Classified a site of metropolitan importance for conservation, it is indispensable habitat for many species of birds, butterflies, bats, and mammals.
Bird species which have been seen here, and do not appear on our reservoirs birdlist, include Tawny Owl, Firecrest, Bullfinch and Nuthatch.
Butterflies include the largest inner London population of the Speckled Wood, with Purple Hairstreak and Large Skipper, alongside many of those mentioned on our butterfly list.
Wildflowers to note are Wood Spurge and Hairy St. John’s Wort, (neither of which probably occur elsewhere in Hackney) Deadly Nightshade, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Herb Robert, Dog’s Mercury, Wood Forget-me not, Hedge Woundwort, Lesser Celandine, Creeping Jenny, and Hoary Ragwort.
Map Ref: TQ333868 See Map
Clissold Park
described as "singularly attractive" by nineteenth century ornithologist W.H. Hudson, was originally a private estate.
Opened to the public in 1889 there are 21.5 hectares of landscaped grounds. Paths bordered by mature Chestnuts surround a curving section of the New River, close to a deer enclosure, aviary, and Butterfly tunnel (latter open 12.30 – 14.30, Tuesday and Thursday, May to September, weather and staff permitting). Two artificial lakes, each with an island, and adjacent areas at the north end of the park are managed as wildlife refuges. Unusual birds seen in the park recently include a Firecrest and a Brambling.
Notable trees include Hackney's largest (a London Plane whose trunk measures 5.3 metres in circumference). Hackney's oldest (arguably: a yew), and the finest example of a Small-leaved Ash in London.
Map Ref: TQ326866 See Map
Allens Gardens
Created in 1868, the main entrance is in Bethune Road, just north of Abney Park. Attractive, small, woody public park by Holmleigh Cuttings west bank nature reserve. Home to woodland species and warblers. In March 2005 up to 50 waxwings roosted.
Map Ref: TQ333872
Walks with Natural History interest:
Circular Walk: (yellow line on map)
From Stoke Newington Church Street enter Abney Park. Exit onto Stoke Newington High Street, and turn left to Manor Road, then right into Bethune Road for Allens Gardens. Exit onto Dunsmure or Bethune Roads. Head north along Bethune Road to the New River Public Path, by the East Reservoir. Continue across Lordship Road alongside the WestReservoir. Turn left at Green Lanes for ClissoldPark. Exit on Stoke Newington Church Street. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
Image produced from Ordnance Survey's Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
Stoke Newington Reservoirs:
Access is currently restricted.
However good views of most of the two reservoirs can be had from the New River public path, which runs for approximately one kilometre along the north side of the site, bisected by Lordship Road. The path continues beyond the east reservoir along the New River, looping back to Green Lanes and Finsbury Park. (from here turn left for a 10-minute walk to Clissold Park, or 141, 341 buses)
Abney Park:
Enter from the High Street, with the visitor centre to your left. Take path to sundial, then bear right along Chapel Ride; at Bhutan Pines turn right along Swayne Path, to join Tietjen Ride north. Take Mound Path on right to Watts mound. This returns to Tietjen Ride, which then bears left onto North Boundary Ride. Keep to the boundary until the Ride again bears left and take Seiveking Path through Oak Grove past the Service trees of Fontainebleau. Cross Great Elm walk to Little Elm Walk. Turn right and follow to chapel. From chapel go south past the war memorial along Dr. Watts Walk to birches at Abney House Corner (Church Street entrance). Take Boundary Ride back to main entrance. (from here a 15-minute walk to the mid-point of the Reservoirs or catch 106 to Lordship Road. For Clissold Park: a 10-minute walk or catch 73, 476, or 393)
Clissold Park:
Early morning visits are recommended.
Good areas in the park include: the shrubbery by the water-fountain, the trees around the old bowling green, the New River (including the deer enclosure, butterfly tunnel and aviary), and St. Mary's churchyard: from here head north along the chestnut-lined path to Beckmere and Runtzmere lakes, in the park’s conservation area. The lakes’ islands and nearby mature trees on the park boundary attract woodland species. Exit through the main gate onto Green Lanes and turn right for a five-minute walk to Stoke Newington Reservoirs.
