Ruxley Gravel Pits, one of the few areas of relatively undisturbed open water in Greater London south of the Thames River.

bund dam
natural spring
(feeds lakes)
gate
River Cray
natural spring
(feeds lakes)
estate inlet
new
reedbed
weir
gate
sluice
new
reedbed
new
islands
site entrance
Before the A20 Sidcup Bypass
Widespread reed encroachment
Nashes papermill whose presence kept the sites lakes unnaturally warm during winter months
Further evidence of extensive reed encroachment suffocating the lake
A shot of the artificial islands created to encourage insect life
One of the newly created ponds to encourage insect life across the reserve
Shows one years regrowth over pathway. maintenance is key to the sites future
Shows the clear view across the Main Lake
Marsh redevelopment since area was cleared of trees and scrub
Some trees have been trimmed. Wood piles provide key new homes for insects, reptiles and amphibians
Scrub clearance helps reed beds spread across the lakes where before they were in the shadow of vegetation
Willows flourish in wet conditions but also block the development of any other vegetation
As woodland is an important part of the diverse habitat many trees have been left in place
Reedbeds are a key environment for birds, mammals and insects alike though need to be managed to ensure they do not overtake the lakes
View across the Main Lake
Newly formed reedbed will hopefully help to maintain the water quality in the Main Lake
Two natural springs feed into lakes on the site
Gravel has been exposed to encourage Plovers to flourish
Scrub clearance will allow marsh and vegetation to cover the area which was previously in permanent shade from the scrub
View across Klingers Lake (ODAA)
Urban development encroaches all around the reserve including the Sidcup Bypass built over the land in the sixties (ODAA)

KLINGERS LAKE

MAIN LAKE
OLD BARGE
LAKE

NEW
BARGE
LAKE

SHALLOW
LAKE
Widely overspread reeds have taken over the area
Overgrown shrubs block out the light, emergent vegetation is incapable of spreading across the reserve
Trees identified for clearance by the detailed surveys carried out across the site
Overgrown shrubs near estate inlet need to be cleared to aid the introduction of a new reedbed to help filter polluted water
Note
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To find out more about Ruxleys terrain and the active management of the site select a year from the list below
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Click the labels that appear over the map
٠ To find out more rollover the photos that appear below.
Cleared area Areas cleared for emergent vegetation
Cleared Area Areas cleared and set aside for marsh/ fen land to develop