About the reserve

Spencer Road Wetlands stand on the eastern Wandle floodplain near Hackbridge, on land that was once used for watercress production. It supports semi-natural, wet woodland (carr) habitats that are considered to be typical of those which might naturally occur alongside the River Wandle. The main habitats are reed swamp with mixed wetland vegetation, willow carr, sedge-bed, ponds, and mixed broadleaf woodland with marginal riverside vegetation.  

History of Spencer Road Wetlands

From at least 1895 to 1959 the land was subjected to controlled flooding for the commercial production of watercress; an important agricultural crop for this part of London. After watercress production ceased, the site was left unmanaged, allowing natural colonisation by willow woodland until 1989, when Sutton Conservation Volunteers began working on the site to encourage regeneration of wetland habitats. The Trust has managed the Wetlands since 1989; it was declared a statutory Local Nature Reserve in 1992.  

Management of Spencer Road Wetlands

The majority of the work is undertaken by local volunteers, who clear overgrown vegetation and tree branches from the boardwalk and dipping platform, as well as rotational cutting of the reedbeds during the winter in order to establish new growth. Willows are also periodically cut back in certain areas.  

Status of Spencer Road Wetlands

Part of a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, Local Nature Reserve

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