Low Maynard Reservoir, reservoir in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, England, United Kingdom
Low Maynard Reservoir is a water storage facility in Walthamstow, part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The water body has an open surface ringed by trees and grassland, with islands and margins that support various bird species and rare plants adapted to wetland conditions.
The site was constructed in 1870 by the East London Waterworks Company on former marshland to serve the city's growing water needs. It became part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain, a network built to secure drinking water supplies for London as the city expanded.
The reservoir draws birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts who come to observe ducks, swans, and cormorants that gather here throughout the year. For local residents, it has become a valued spot to step away from the city and connect with wildlife in a simple, accessible way.
The site is open to the public but requires a permit for direct access to the water for activities like fishing. Walking paths run around the edges where you can observe wildlife without disrupting the protected habitat.
Cormorants frequently rest and breed on an island within the water, with populations reaching levels comparable to other major birdwatching sites in the country. This makes the reservoir a notable destination for those tracking these diving birds and their seasonal behavior patterns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
