Woodston Ponds - Alan Miles
Woodston Ponds
Location
OS Map Reference
TL 175 979
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
Park on wharf road and walk/cycle over railway crossing and access via cycleway/footpathGrazing animals
NoWalking trails
Bare earth, grass path, and new boardwalk
Access
Some areas are suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access (boardwalk)
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
Any timeAbout the reserve
Previously managed by British Sugar, the ponds were used as settling ponds that took the washings from the sugar beet.
In 2003 the ponds were leased to the Wildlife Trust on a 999-year agreement and shortly afterwards the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in recognition of its wildlife value and importance as a city greenspace for local people to enjoy.
The site is split into two halves. On the west side there is a reedbed that provides homes to many birds such as reed warbler and reed bunting. The pools and channels within the reedbed are home to great crested newt and some uncommon species of water beetle. Surrounding the reedbed is a circular boardwalk for easy access. On the east side of the site there is a small lake that can be viewed by leaving the boardwalk and following the track to the viewing platform. From here you can comfortably view the wildlife. Grey herons can be regularly seen patrolling the edges while the open water is used by many species of ducks. The map below is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary.