Welcome to Lemsford Springs

Welcome to Lemsford Springs on Lemsfordonline. Lemsford springs is one of of the best kept secrets in Lemsford. It is owned and managed by Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts

Cress Cottage, on the edge of the Springs Home to the Tims, who managed the Water Cress Beds before the purchase of the reserve by Wildlife Trust. Lemsford Springs is a small nature reserve on the edge of Lemsford it has a long history dating back to the Doomsday book when it was owned by the Bishop of Ely for the full history you can go th Lemsford Local History Group
http://www.lemsfordhistory.co.uk/the-history-of-lemsford-springs.htm

Lemsford Springs provides excellent Bird watching from a brand new Hide. The Trust purchased Lemsford Watercress beds (Now known as Lemsford Springs) in May 1970 at a price the district valuer set, £2500. The money was all donated, £500 by the world Wildlife Fund and Cadbury fund with the rest being private gifts. A management committee was immediately formed to look after the reserve and improve it ecologically and with regards to conservation

The Springs Classroom, where the Watch Group Meet.
The area it covers is 3.7 Hectares, and is a habitat for water birds as it does not freeze in winter weather. It has a new hide from which Herons, water rail, snipe and the green sandpiper, Kingfishers, mandarin ducks and grey wagtails can be seen. The reserve also provides relaxing walks and includes the River Lea which runs by the side of the water cress beds, nesting kestrels, flowering plants and a children’s Wildlife group which meets every 3rd Sunday of the Month.

Habitat: Former watercress beds, open shallow lagoons, stretch of River Lea, marsh, hedgerows. Nine acres.
Key Birds: Spring/summer; Breeding warblers, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel. Autumn/winter; Green Sandpiper,Water Rail, Snipe, Little Egret, Siskin, occasional Jack Snipe. All Year; Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk.

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A view of the Cress Beds
Work Parties: These take place on the first Sunday of every month - 09:30 to 12:30. If interested in helping please contact warden.
Contact: Barry Trevis, Warden, 11 Lemsford Village, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 7TN. Tel: 01707 335517

Location: TL223123. Lies 1.5 miles W of Welwyn Garden City town centre, off roundabout leading to Lemsford village on B197, W of A1(M).

Access: Access, via key, by arrangement with voluntary warden (or Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust HQ, Tel :01727 858901 if warden not available). Open at all times, unless work parties or group visits in progress. Keep to paths. Dogs on leads. Disabled access via ramp to main hide. Facilities: Two hides, chemical toilet, paths, bridges.

Public Transport: Bus service to Valley Road, WGC or Lemsford Village. No. 365/366. Nearest railway station Welwyn Garden City.Click here for Multimap Location

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