Join this FREE Family Wild Walk!

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Get ready for an adventure from Woodberry Down Estate to the East and West Reservoirs - with the chance to go on to see the Castle Climbing Centre and Garden, or a swim for the adventurous (and over-14s).

Join our chief explorer, Cath, and encourage your kids to be chief explorers as they help us lead a mile-long adventure to discover how London used to get its water and spot loads of trees, birds and boats.

Make friends, learn from each other and connect with nature!

On the way, you can spot diverse and magical wildlife like ducks and sprites hidden in the reeds and trees. We end up by the West Reservoir, one of the first water pumping stations = whose bricks were salvaged from the Old London Bridge!

Since we published the original map, the fantastic East Reservoir has opened so we will go and explore that. They don't allow dogs, so I am afraid Jim won't be with us. 

We will also see some fantastic examples of local community playgrounds in the new Woodberry Downs estates. These are always well used and for good reason! For anyone interested in the better ways to design playgrounds into housing estates, Cath can talk about WHY these are very good designs, and signpost you to lots of literature on the subject!

At the end, everyone can recharge at either the glorious Castle Climbing Centre ()It has a great garden and cafe), or the Better West Reservoir Centre - you can bring your own picnic, or the on-site family-run cafe sells great burgers and snacks. Or you can go on to Finsbury Park with its wide-open spaces and more lovely playgrounds.

The reservoir is a great place to watch kayakers and sailors, or simply enjoy the peaceful water views. For our older adventurers, there will also be an opportunity to swim. Very sadly, over-14s only.

This walk is perfect for all ages and buggy-friendly.

The practical bits

When: Sunday 12th July at 10:45 am, aiming to set off at 11.

Where: Meet at New River Children's Play Area

(link to Google Maps).

There are lots of buses, tubes and a train to get you here. Lock bikes at West Reservoir.

Please book a ticket for each of you joining, and let us know how many children will be with you, just so we can plan for volunteers.

All families are welcome to come along, and do bring friends. Child-friendly digs are very welcome, but not into East Reservoir or West Reservoir, so one of you would have to stay outside those areas. I will only bring Jim if I have a partner to hold him.

For more information and to find out where future walks will be, join our WhatsApp Community.

Bring a snack/drinks for yourself and your family, and dress for the weather on the day. We'll bring a first aid kit, a blanket and water. And kites!

Below is the original map.

Download it: HERE

This is the route we will actually do

BOOK HERE 

(we will update the date on Humantix shortly)

Yes, it is FREE!

There is no fee; we just ask you to promise to take a friend (and/or more children!) on another walk!

If you would like to donate to support future walks, you can do so here:

Local Giving - Family Wild Walks with Outdoor People

The purpose of our walks is to

• Help you make it easy to get outdoors

• Promote the essential need for children to play outdoors regularly and to provide a space to share practical, easy ways to do that

• Share how just lovely our `East London home is, how green and verdant, full of nature and surprise - and lots of great playgrounds and Adventure Playgrounds to explore and enjoy!

Thanks to Hackney Council, It's Great Out There, and the people and schools that shop with Outdoor People - every purchase helps us run these walks!