High Maynard Reservoir

High Maynard Reservoir is a water storage facility in Walthamstow that works as part of a chain of reservoirs in the Lee Valley. The site holds water for London's drinking supply and is surrounded by accessible paths where visitors can view the water and the surrounding landscape.

The reservoir was built in 1870 by the East London Waterworks Company to expand London's water supply. It was created on former marshland and became part of a new water infrastructure system designed to serve the growing city.

The reservoir forms part of the Walthamstow Wetlands nature area, where visitors watch for water birds and get to know the local ecosystem. People come here to experience how nature exists alongside the city's water supply system.

The site is accessible via a network of paths that allow visitors to explore the reservoir and surrounding nature. Early mornings or overcast days offer better conditions for spotting birds, when wildlife activity tends to be higher.

A small island within the reservoir serves as a winter roosting place for cormorants, hosting a significant national population of these water birds. This spot interests birdwatchers because the concentration of cormorants becomes especially noticeable during the cold months.

Location: London Borough of Waltham Forest

GPS coordinates: 51.58890,-0.04660

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41