Batford Springs

The River Lea in Batford Springs

Batford Springs is a 3.5-hectare (8.6-acre) Local Nature Reserve in Harpenden in Hertfordshire. It is owned and managed by Harpenden Town Council, and most work on the site is undertaken by the Batford Springs Volunteers. The declaring authority is St Albans City Council.[1][2][3]

The main feature of the reserve is a number of small springs which are the source of chalk streams and ponds. The River Lea runs through the site, and there is grassland and a small wood.[1] In January 2015 the site was extended by the purchase of land between Marquis Lane and Piggotshill Lane. There is also a children's area.[3] Wildlife includes kingfishers and a variety of fish species in the river, including roach, barbel and a substantial population of chub. Batford Springs acts as a key nursery location for fish downstream all the way to Brocket Hall, where fish movement is severely impeded by man-made obstacles. The next fish nursery is the River Lea adjacent to the North Lake at Stanborough Park.[4]

There is access from the north end of Station Road.[3]

  • Batford Springs Information Board & Map
    Batford Springs Information Board & Map
  • Batford Springs Information Board
    Batford Springs Information Board
  • River Lea at Batford Springs
    River Lea at Batford Springs
  • Reeds at Batford Springs
    Reeds at Batford Springs
  • Reedfen at Batford Springs
    Reedfen at Batford Springs
  • Plaque on Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
    Plaque on Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
  • Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
    Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
  • Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
    Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
  • Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs
    Reedfen Boardwalk at Batford Springs

References

  1. ^ a b "Batford Springs". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Map of Batford Springs". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Batford Springs Nature Reserve". Harpenden Town Council. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  4. ^ "New information boards for visitors to Batford Springs". Beds, Herts and Bucks. BBC. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2015.

51°49′22″N 0°20′19″W / 51.8228°N 0.33866°W / 51.8228; -0.33866