About the reserve

Once supplying water to a printing works, Watford Lodge is now a valuable wetland area which provides habitat for frogs, toads and smooth and palmate newts.

It is also an ideal place for birdwatchers, with birds attracted by the neighbouring river and the marsh to the north of the reserve boundary.

By the river you may see kingfisher, dipper, grey wagtail and common sandpiper, while in the Lodge itself you can look for heron, mallard and moorhen. A pond dipping platform has been built for use by schools.

As well as the Lodge, the reserve contains an area of grassland, attracting a range of butterflies. Beside the road is a line of mature horse chestnut and ash trees, where several bird species have been recorded, including tits, thrushes, nuthatches and little and tawny owls.