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The charity making life better by water

View across Brent (Welsh Harp) reservoir

Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp)

Brent Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with the open water and associated habitats supporting an unusually large selection of wetland birds and plants for an inner city reservoir.

In November 2022, with £55,000 funding from the Mayor of London's Grow Back Greener Fund, we installed new floating ecosystems to provide nesting bird habitat and improve water quality.

The artificial islands – which have been specially designed to support and protect Brent Reservoir's important population of great crested grebe – can be easily viewed from Cool Oak Bridge or the nearby picnic area.

Things to see and do

This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The standing open water and associated habitats such as willow car, and fen and marsh support a diverse set of wetland birds – little grebes, great crested grebes, willow warbler – and ducks of course!

While the wetlands areas support plants including: lesser pond-sedge, water forget-me-not, branched bur-reed, marsh woundwort, water-plantain, flowering rush, water dock and lesser reedmace.

Planning your visit

  • Address

    Aboyne Road, London, NW10 OEX

  • Prices

    Once you're there, it won't cost you a thing

  • Toilets

    None on site

Getting here

  • By car

    There's limited free parking off the north circular Edward Road and Woodfield Park. From the A5 turn into Cool Oak Lane, where a narrow bridge separates the Northern and Eastern marshes. Parking is available about 100 metres past the bridge

  • By train

    Hendon is the nearest train station with Neasdon the nearest underground. They're at opposite ends of the reservoir.

Free guides for fun days out

Download our free guides - over 100 places to visit

Our funders

Thanks to our funders for helping keep Brent Reservoir alive.

Kusuma Trust

Find out more about the wetlands project for birds and people of London

People's Postcode Lottery

With thanks to the players of the People's Postcode Lottery

Our partners

Phoenix Canoe Club & Outdoor Centre

Visit the Phoenix Canoe Club & Outdoor Centre's website for more information

Friends of the Welsh Harp

To find out more about our partner, please visit their website

The Welsh Harp Conservation Group

Visit The Wlesh Harp Conservation Group's website for more information

Thames 21

Find out more on Thames 21 website

Citizen Zoo

Find out more about our partner

TCV

Learn more about our partners The Conservation Volunteers

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