Local Wildlife Site

Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

New River

Borough: Enfield, Hackney, Haringey

Grade: Metropolitan

Access: Free public access (part of site)

Area: 30.41 ha

Description

The New River is no longer new and is technically an aqueduct rather than a river. It is, however, probably London’s cleanest waterway. The New River was constructed in the early 17th century to supply London with drinking water from chalk springs in Hertfordshire. It still carries a vital 220 megalitres (48 million gallons) every day for treatment in the capital.The section beside Stoke Newington West Reservoir (west of Lordship Lane) is owned by Hackney Council, while the rest of the New River is owned by Thames Water. There is public access via a footpath along much of its length except between Finsbury Park and Bowes Park, and between Ridge Avenue at Winchmore Hill and Carterhatch Lane to the north of Enfield.Some parts of the original course, such as the New River Walk in Islington and the Enfield Loop, no longer have fresh water flowing along them and these do not form part of this site.

Wildlife

The river supports a diverse range of plant life, both living in the water and on the banks. This includes the London rarities lesser water-parsnip, unbranched bur-reed, stream water-crowfoot, galingale and the nationally declining river water-dropwort, for which the site is a stronghold.Kingfishers are seen regularly and may breed by the river, and hedgehogs forage along the banks.The insect life is also likely to be diverse, as indicated by the abundance of caddis-flies and the range of dragon and damselflies present, which include banded demoiselle, red-eyed damselfly (scarce in London) and very large populations of common blue damselfly.The river supports a good range of fish, including pike, perch, roach and carp, and may be of value for amphibians.

Facilities

A 45 km riverside walking path (The New River Path) has been created through the site.

View Interactive map

View along the New River © Mike Waite

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