Waltham Abbey SSSI
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
|
Water-wheeled gunpowder press located on the site | |
| Area of Search | Essex |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TL376020 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 84.5 (ac) 34.2 (ha) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | English Nature |
The Waltham Abbey SSSI is a Site of Special Scientific Interest which is located within the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey Essex. [1]
History
For 300 years the area was cut off from its surroundings by river boundaries and the highly secret nature of its work. The site was finally closed in 1991. Decontamination work was carried out between 1992-96 and the site opened to the public in 2001. [2]
Location
The woodland site lies to the north of the present day Gunpowder Mills and is bounded by the River Lee Flood Relief Channel to the north and west while the Cornmill Stream forms its eastern boundary.
Description
The site covers 84.5 acres (34.2 ha) of principally alder woodland which was planted in c1700 and coppiced to provide charcoal for gunpowder manufacture. Today, the woodland is dominated by alder, sycamore, populus, crack willow. Elder and blackthorn are the main shrub species. One fifth of the woodland will be brought back to a coppicing regime. Mammals that inhabit the site include fallow deer, muntjac deer, badger, hare and fox. Ground flora is dominated by the common nettle, ground ivy and the butterbur. Bird species recorded at the site include the tawny owl, tree sparrow, reed warbler, garden warbler, heron and one of the UKs largest flocks of siskins. [3] Also contained within the site are man-made watercourses and structures associated with gunpowder production and the 12 metres (39 ft) deep Newton's Pool was used for the testing of underwater explosives including the explosive used for the development of the bouncing bomb.[4]
Heronry
The heronry has been present since 1974 and increased from 18 pairs in 1978 to 30 pairs in 1983. 26 pairs were recorded in 1984 and remains the largest heronry in Essex.[1]
Public transport
Rail
Public access
Access to the site is limited and can only be visited by guided land train tours.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 English nature Retrieved 11 September 2009
- ↑ Chronology of the Gun Powder Mills Retrieved 15 September 2009
- ↑ Lea Valley walk Retrieved 9 April 2010
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Land train tours Retrieved 11 September 2009