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 RMC Angling and Hertford County Yacht Club. Banjo Lake, a fishing lake on the west side of the site opened in January 2007, permits can be purchased from the Lee Valley Regional Park Fishery Bailiff on 07908 948066.