Waterhall Park
A quiet and peaceful riverside park away from the bustle of the city.
Facilities
About Waterhall Park
Waterhall Park was once farmland, and ancient ridge and furrow is still visible. Today the only farming of the 22 acres is willow for cricket bats. Bat willows are one of the fastest-growing trees in Britain and can normally be harvested after 20 years. See the plantation in the south corner of the park.
From the picnic benches and seats scattered near the river bank, you can spot a variety of wildlife or look out over the open farmland to Brickhill Woods and the Woburn estate in the distance.
A public footpath that leads from the car park follows the meandering course of the River Ouzel, its banks lush with a profusion of colourful plants, its waters heavy with reeds and lilies. On its other side, Waterhall Park is bordered by the Grand Union Canal, beginning its journey through the city, shadowed by the towering columns of Lombardy Poplar trees which mark the broadwalk path by the canal.
It was once farmed by Waterhall Farm which sat where the Lakes Estate now stands. The name 'Waterhall' comes from the local manor, whose estate it was once a part of. The former watermill is now a private house with the disused mill race still running towards it.
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