The park occupies a massive linear corridor that covers more surface area than Richmond Park and Hyde Park combined.
The Fishers Green area acts as a crucial overwintering ground for the rare Bittern and the Goosander.
Many of the lakes within the park are former Victorian gravel workings that were flooded after extraction finished.
The park's creation was mandated by a specific 1966 Act of Parliament to provide a regional recreational space for Londoners.
Lee Valley Park is a 10,000-acre regional park stretching 26 miles along the River Lee, forming a green corridor between the River Thames and Ware in Hertfordshire. The Fishers Green site, located in Waltham Abbey, serves as a primary hub for wetland wildlife observation and walking trails. The area is defined by a complex network of man-made waterways, former gravel pits, and flood relief channels that have been repurposed into nature reserves. It contains the Seventy Acres Lake and the Holland Park Lake, both significant sites for waterfowl and migratory bird populations. The landscape transitions from urban parkland to dense woodland and reed beds within the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority's jurisdiction.
The bird hide overlooking Seventy Acres Lake provides the most consistent vantage point for wildlife photography.
Carry binoculars, as the elevated bird hides at Fishers Green offer superior views of the lake wildlife.
Wear waterproof footwear even in summer, as the paths through the reed beds and near the water are frequently muddy.
Bring a field guide for local flora and fauna to help identify the diverse range of species found in the wetland habitat.
Do not attempt to swim in the lakes, as they are deep and possess dangerous underwater vegetation and currents.
Keep dogs on leads in sensitive wildlife areas and remain on marked footpaths to protect the marshland ecosystems.
