Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

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Stanstead Innings

The nearest Postcode for this site is SG12 8HL

Stanstead Innings

Stanstead Innings is situated in the quiet village of Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire. It is a diverse 49.6 hectares of natural beauty with three wild flower meadows, three lakes and a wet woodland area. A popular site for birdwatchers as it links into Rye Meads Nature Reserve.

Before the area was excavated for gravel, Stanstead Innings was wet alluvial meadow land used for grazing and growing salad crops. Gravel extraction took place from 1954 - 1973 and during this time 2 million tonnes of sand and gravel were extracted from the site.

Stanstead Innings is now a popular bird sanctuary for warblers, waders, and other wildfowl. Two bird hides are situated at the southern end of Abbotts Lake, divided from the main part of the lake which is used by CEMEX Angling and Hertford County Yacht Club. Banjo Lake, a fishing lake on the west side of the site opened in January 2007, Day or Day/Night tickets can be purchased from the Lee Valley Regional Park Fishery Bailiff on 07908 948066.

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Directions

Location information

Directions

Bus

Bus route 351 from Hertford to Bishops Stortford has a drop off point opposite Marsh Lane, which is the access road to the site, plus route 524 from Harlow, Hertford. Travelline - 0871 200 2233.

Car

The A414 runs parallel to the site and can be accessed via Stanstead Abbotts or Roydon. Stanstead Innings is accessed from the B181 and via a small access road called Marsh Lane. Vehicular access beyond the car park is only permitted to members of the sailing and fishing club. The casual site user is required to access the site on foot from the car park at Marsh Lane.

Pedestrians

The only Right of Way on the site is Bridleway 19 which runs along the eastern boundary of the site adjacent to Ryegate Farm.

Train

The nearest train station is St. Margaret’s which is situated in Stanstead Abbotts approximately one mile from the site entrance at Marsh Lane.