Bird Watch
Combine your walk with a spot of bird watching. Just 15 minutes from central London, and free to visit, is London’s newest and biggest wetlands area – Walthamstow Wetlands. A fully operational 211 hectare Thames Water reservoir site which is the main source of water supply for 3.5 million people, Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the wider public for the first time in 150 years in October 2017. It provides home and shelter to a wide range of wildlife, from rare waterfowl to majestic birds of prey and is a great place to spend a couple of hours, with regular and seasonal activities available for children too (there’s a cafe and learning centre on site).
Alternatively, head to Rainham Marshes – part of the Thames Estuary not far from the bustling streets of London. Rainham Marshes’ medieval landscape is a haven for all kinds of wildlife – birds, water voles, dragonflies and more. In spring and summer you can expect to see breeding wading birds and a variety of invertebrates. Also look out for lapwings, redshanks, wheatears, stonechats, kingfishers, hobbies, curlews, swifts, sand martins, house martins, warblers, marsh harriers, reed buntings, water voles, damselflies, butterflies, bees and grass snakes.