Three Valleys Water Sites

Click on the links below to find out more about these Three Valleys Water sites:

Bushey Hall Farm, Bushey Mill Lane, Bushey, Watford Environment and Education Centre, Bushey, Watford Hilfield Park Reservoir, Aldenham Oxhey Hall and Brightwells Farms, Watford Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth Springwell Lake and reed beds, Rickmansworth Pynesfield Lakes, West Hyde, Rickmansworth Iver Lakes, North Iver Queensmead Lake, Egham Wraysbury Lakes, Egham

Bushey Hall Farm, Bushey Mill Lane, Bushey, Watford

Although a working farm with tenants there are public footpaths if you're a keen walker. Dogs must be kept under control.

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Environment and Education Centre, Bushey, Watford

Since opening in September 1998, the Centre has welcomed around 6,000 visitors a year - most of these are children on class visits. We work mainly with Key Stage 1 & 2 pupils, but we also welcome Key Stage 3 & 4, "A" level and above. There are a great many activities that take place at the Environment and Education Centre, including fun ways to learn about the environment such as pond dipping, mini beast hunting, and experiments with water.

The Centre has been named an Eco-Centre by ENCAMS, formerly the Tidy Britain Group. ENCAMS has given the centre a Green Flag award for its approach to sustainability and work for the environment. This approach is incorporated into the daily work programme with participating schools and helped the Centre achieve their bronze award.

Click here to go to our education pages to find out more

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Hilfield Park Reservoir, Hilfield Lane, Aldenham

Hilfield Park Reservoir is a secure Local Nature Reserve, which because of its secluded location attracts a wide variety of birds. The site has been managed under a long-standing partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, whose members use the facilities. It is a secure site for operational reasons with added restrictions to protect the wildlife. All visits to the reservoir are by arrangement only with the Trust.

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Oxhey Hall Farm, Hampermill Lane, Watford and Brightwells Farm, Vicarage Road, Watford

Near to the river Colne, Oxhey Hall is a grade II listed building with a dry moat adjoining the farm, which is scheduled as an Ancient Monument. There are public footpaths running through the adjacent farmland and the nearby Hampermill Lake, part owned by Three Valleys Water. Brightwells Farm also has public footpaths running through the land. Dogs must be kept under control.

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Stockers Lake, Rickmansworth

This Local Nature Reserve is situated next to the Grand Union Canal in the Colne Valley Park. The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust acts as the management agent for the site, and works closely with the company and the Friends of Stockers Lake (FoSL).

There are plenty of opportunities for bird watching, and walking along the circular paths with access to Springwell and Inns Lakes. Fishing rights are let to British Airways Clubs Angling Society.

Our Partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and Friends of Stockers Lake on the nature reserve at Stockers Lake won a top award in the British Trust for Ornithology/Hanson Business Bird Challenge competition in 2003. The award was given for community nature conservation.

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Springwell Lake and Inns Lake, Springwell Lane, Rickmansworth

A six-mile walk developed by Groundwork Thames Valley in conjunction with Three Valleys Water and other partners will take you past both Stockers, Inns and Springwell Lake and alongside the Grand Union Canal. The route passes through a nature reserve, along the canal towpath, through a farm and several wooded areas. Make a day of it and visit one of the pubs along the route for some refreshment. Click here to visit the Colne Valley Park website to download the circular walk maps.

Reed bed habitats are identified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan as important for wildlife and as such they need careful management. The reed beds at Springwell Lake are a rare example of this type of habitat in Hertfordshire.

Fishing rights to Springwell Lake are let to the North Harrow Waltonians Angling Society, with rights to Inns Lake reserved for the Three Valleys Water Angling Society.

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Pynesfield Lakes, Old Uxbridge Road, West Hyde, Rickmansworth

A public footpath leads to a causeway crossing the lakes. Fishing rights are let to the Rickmansworth Conservative Club and District Society.

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Iver Lakes

Iver Lakes are managed by the Lizard Fishing Club by arrangement with Three Valleys Water. There are a number of bridleways and public footpaths for walking.

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Queensmead Lake, Egham

The lake is not accessible to members of the public due to steep banks and deep waters. Fishing is only available to Three Valleys Water Angling Society.

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Wraysbury Lakes, Berkshire

Working closely with English Nature, Groundwork Thames Valley, other land owners, and many others, Three Valleys Water carries out management work on the wet grassland area between Wraysbury Lakes in order to maintain its Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status. The British Trust for Ornithology has designated it a 'constant effort' site, which means they visit regularly to ring the birds.

Heron Lake is leased at a long-term peppercorn rent to the British Disabled Water Ski Association. Three Valleys Water works in close liaison with the Association and local interest groups to provide a well-managed and maintained facility.

Colne Mere, Hythe Lagoon, is suitable for bird watching and walking only.

Silverwings Lake is another SSSI, as well as being a Special Protection Area (SPA), and is also classified as a Ramsar (a wetlands site of international importance, especially for waterfowl) The site is used regularly by over-wintering ducks and supports a wealth of other wildlife.

The lakes are well used by community groups including the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), RSPB groups, the local wetland bird counters, a disabled skiing club and the sailing section of the British Airways Clubs . The company holds regular meetings with the Wraysbury Lakes Liaison Group, which includes community representatives. These meetings are used to explain the planned management programmes and encourage a greater understanding of the needs of their fellow users.

Also within the Wraysbury Lakes group are areas suitable for walking and bird watching. Watts Pool provides the only area where fishing is permitted with the fishing rights let to Blenheim Angling Society.

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