Entrance to Walthamstow Wetlands.

©Will Jones/Lonely Planet

Walthamstow Wetlands

London


Claiming 520 acres of natural tranquillity just 15 minutes on the Tube from central London, Walthamstow Wetlands are pleasantly incongruous. The numerous reservoirs, with wooded islands, are home to a huge diversity of wildlife, particularly birds – the heronry is one of the UK’s top five breeding grounds.

Industrial heritage is displayed in the form of the converted Engine House (1894), where you’ll find an excellent cafe, and the Grade II–listed Coppermill, with its Italianate tower. The visitor centre here is open 9.30am to 4pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby London attractions

1. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

1.26 MILES

This state-of-the-art 62,300-seat stadium in Tottenham, with a retractable pitch that hosts both 'real’ and American football games, opened in April 2019…

2. William Morris Gallery

1.47 MILES

Fans of Victoriana and the Arts and Crafts Movement should make time for this sensational little gallery. The beautiful Georgian mansion, located in…

3. Abney Park Cemetery

1.97 MILES

This enchanting place was bought and developed by a private firm in 1840 as a burial ground and arboretum catering for central London’s overflow. It was a…

4. Sutton House

2.71 MILES

It would be quite possible to walk straight past this relatively inconspicuous brick house without noticing its great age. Originally known as Bryk Place,…

5. St Augustine’s Tower

2.75 MILES

Set at the edge of the beautiful St John’s Churchyard Gardens, this 13th-century tower is the oldest building in Hackney and the only remains of a church…

6. Ridley Road Market

2.85 MILES

Massively popular with the ethnically diverse community it serves, this market is best for its exotic fruit and vegetables, whole fish and colourful…

7. Hackney Museum

2.97 MILES

Devoted to items relating to Hackneyites past and present, this interesting little museum is as diverse as the ethnically mixed community it serves. Most…

8. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

2.97 MILES

This garden is typical of the kind of grassroots regeneration happening around Dalston: a project led by the community, for the community – and a roaring…