Fishers Green, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF
Seventy Acres Lake
Lake
Place photograph
5.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free entry
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.0At Fishers Green, Seventy Acres Lake meets the reedbed edge of the Lee Valley. The nearby Wildlife Discovery Centre gives visitors a place to learn about local habitats and watch for wildlife from its bird hide.
A useful wetland stop with a proper bird hide, a wildlife discovery room and access to the wider River Lee Country Park trail network. Its appeal is patient wildlife-watching and lakeside exploration rather than a remote or untouched landscape.
Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapFishers Green, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Start at the Wildlife Discovery Centre, look out across the reedbed from the hide, then choose a section of the traffic-free River Lee Country Park trails. The centre’s Discovery Room adds context on local habitats and wildlife. Check opening and access details before setting out.
Things to do
Watch from the bird hide
Settle in and scan the reedbed for birds. The park says a wintering bittern may sometimes be spotted from the hide; sightings are not guaranteed.
Explore the Discovery Room
Look at displays about nearby habitats and species, wildlife-camera footage and other nature-learning features. Availability may depend on staffing and current opening arrangements.
Walk a section of the park trails
River Lee Country Park has traffic-free trails and named Otter and Waterbird Discovery Trails. Check the route pages for current details and choose a distance that suits your visit.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow about 1–2 hours; check opening and travel details before visiting.
Quick Escape: hide and reedbed
- 01
Visit the Wildlife Discovery Centre if open.
- 02
Take a seat in the bird hide and watch the reedbed for birds.
- 03
Spend a little time in the Discovery Room learning about local habitats and wildlife.
Half day · Half day; trail distance and timing depend on the route chosen.
Make a Half Day of It: lake, learning and trails
- 01
Begin at the Wildlife Discovery Centre and check the latest visitor information.
- 02
Use the bird hide to look across the reedbed.
- 03
Explore the Discovery Room and its wildlife displays and cameras.
- 04
Continue on a suitable section of the traffic-free River Lee Country Park trails; consult the park’s route information before choosing a distance.
Hidden details
Look for the wintering bittern — The park says visitors may be lucky enough to spot a wintering bittern from the hide. Treat this as a possibility, not a guaranteed sighting.
When to go
· Check current visitor information for opening hours; the supplied official source does not specify a best time of day for wildlife watching.
The park describes the Wildlife Discovery Centre as a place to see how wildlife changes with the seasons and mentions the possibility of a wintering bittern. It does not provide specific seasonal peak dates.
Check the forecast and current park information before travelling. The supplied sources do not give site-specific weather or path-condition guidance.
Worth pairing with
River Lee Country Park trails
Extend the visit on the park’s traffic-free trails; the Wildlife Discovery Centre page identifies the Otter and Waterbird Discovery Trails.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
A separate nearby venue listed by Lee Valley Regional Park. Check its own activity, booking and opening information before adding it to a day out.
Waltham Abbey Gardens
Named by Lee Valley Regional Park among nearby places to visit; check its own visitor information before travelling.
What to look for
- 01
From the bird hide, scan the reedbed for birds
- 02
the park’s Discovery Room also features wildlife cameras and displays about local habitats and species. The official page specifically mentions the possibility of a wintering bittern.
Best time to go
Year-round; winter is a good time to look for the bittern mentioned by the park, while the official centre page describes wildlife changing with the seasons.
The centre notes that wildlife changes with the seasons and says wintering bittern may be seen from the hide. Check current information for opening times; the centre’s hours vary seasonally.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Walkers · Families · Photographers
Practical information
Opening & access
The lake and Wildlife Discovery Centre are in Lee Valley Regional Park. The centre is listed as open daily, with seasonal closing times; check current visitor information before travelling. Entry is free, but car parking at Fishers Green is charged. Do not assume that water activities are permitted.
Check before visiting
Parking
Fishers Green is the closest car park; parking charges apply. Check current tariffs and visitor information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Toilets are listed at Fishers Green car park; check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No on-site café is confirmed in the supplied sources. The Discovery Centre page says drinks and gifts are available; check current provision.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current park guidance and on-site signage before visiting; dog access rules for this specific site are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The centre page links to an AccessAble guide. Check that guide and current site information for details of accessible routes and facilities.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free entry; car parking charges apply
Water
Lake and reedbed
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Seventy Acres Lake
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
