Reserves and honeypots

The Meads, Wheathampsead

A large area in the heart of Wheathampstead owned and managed by Wheathampstead Parish Council, through which the River Lea flows. Some areas are managed primarily as wildlife habitat, whilst others are managed as a recreation area for public use. There is also a newly restored community orchard. Litter can sometimes be a problem here – please make sure you take it home with you!  Parking is available in the public car park on East Lane.

Batford Springs Nature Reserve, Harpenden
Nature reserve with a variety of habitats, including the River Lea itself, and associated reedbeds, wet woodland and meados. A system of chalk streams are feb by boreholes which have been drilled into the chalk aquifer. These are relicts of the watercress farm which historically used the area for commercial growing of watercress.  The area is maintained by the Batford Springs Volunteers. For more information see their website.

Lemsford Springs Nature Reserve, Lemsford
Lemsford Springs is a small nature reserve managed by Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. It comprises an old watercress bed which is a valuable habitat - particularly for waterbirds, as it does not freeze in cold winter weather. Water rail, snipe, and green sandpiper may be seen from the hide. These birds feed on the shrimp and other invertebrates which are abundant in the freshwater lagoons. The lagoons also support fifty species of water snail.

Footpaths

You can walk the entire length of the River Lea from its source to its confluence with the River Thames. For more information see the website.

These themes and objectives were developed during catchment partnership workshops held during 2014. People and organisations with a stake or an interest in the river were asked to suggest their ideas about what the aims of the catchment management plan should be.  You can view the projects which will help to meet each objective via the Catchment Management Plan.

 The themes and objectives of the Upper Lea Catchment Plan are:

Data and monitoring
• Improve understanding of the river and the issues facing it
• Monitor the effectiveness of any measures taken

Ecology and management
• Control or eradicate invasive non-native species
• Ensure connectivity for fish passage
• Improve water quality
• Increase the amount and quality of in-channel, bankside and floodplain habitat
• Reduce flood risk

Public engagement
• Increase public access to the river (visual and physical)
• Increase local knowledge and appreciation of the river
• Promote the river as an educational resource

About us

The Upper Lea Catchment Partnership is a group of people and organisations who are working to improve the Upper Lea for people and for wildlife. The partnership was formed in 2014 and includes a wide range of organisations, from local community groups, parish councils and landowners to water companies and government agencies.
The partnership meets formally three times a year to review progress and discuss future projects; more informal meetings take place more regularly.  The partnership is being ‘hosted’ by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, who brought the partnership together. Their role is to organize and co-ordinate the many different members of the partnership, and drive the catchment plan forward. They are also acting as the initial contact point for any enquiries you may have: please contact them with any queries about the partnership.  

The Upper Lea Catchment Partnership is supported by volunteer Upper Lea River Champion Patrick McNeill, based in the Wheathampstead area.

If you would like any more information on the Catchment Management Plan, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.