Batchworth Bacon Butties

Those who have enjoyed a picnic and experienced the tranquil environment of Hertfordshire's Batchworth Lock at Rickmansworth will often return but without a picnic - not because they were pestered by the birds and ducks from Stockers, Bury and Batchworth Lakes but because they discovered Batchworth Brasserie. Although it can be described as a marquee, Batchworth Brasserie is a fully licensed restaurant with a menu to suit everyone. It is open Saturday and Sunday through summer and serves Bacon Butties, Cornish Cream Teas, Marinated Chicken Ciabattas, Greek Meze, Lockbuster Sandwiches, Hotdogs, Homemade cakes and pastries, teas soft drinks and the finest columbian coffee.

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust promotes the interest in the Grand Union canal and its beautiful scenic surroundings in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Centred on Batchworth Lock is a visitors centre which attracts many visitors each year including boating and fishing parties, family groups, cyclists, walkers and birdwatchers.

Visitors have supported Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and has managed to raise money for the complete restoration of 'Roger', a wooden narrowboat built by Bushell Brothers of Tring. Roger is an example of a boat built from local timber, very few wooden narrowboats have survived. Indeed it is believed that Roger is the last remaining Bushell built narrowboat and also one of the last narrowboats to trade regularly on the British canals.

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust hold regular activities which include "Sundays by the Lock" in the summer months, where entertainment is put on for the young and old alike around the Batchworth Lock area. The Batchworth Brasserie is also open every weekend during the summer and is situated on the Lock side, the Brasserie serves delicious food and is fully licensed.

Each May the Trust organises the Rickmanworth Canal Festival. Arranged to fall on a weekend between the London Cavalcade at Little Venice on the first bank holiday and the Braunston Boat Show on the second bank holiday, the festival attracts large numbers of boaters and members of the general public alike. Started in 1991 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Act of parliament which lead to the construction of the Grand Union canal, the festival has become a major attraction.

Batchworth lock is still a thriving section of the waterway with many boats navigating through on their tranquil journey along the Grand Union Canal. Within this historic setting is the Batchworth Lock Visitor Centre, located to the side of the two locks just above Batcthworth Bridge. The Batchworth Ferry travels to and from Stockers Lock for those requiring a quiet half hour canal trip after enjoying their refreshments at Batchworth Brasserie.

The Lakes at Batchworth

The lakes forming the Aquadrome water sports and sailing centre is Bury Lake for Sailing and Batchworth Lake for Water Sking, these do attract large numbers of birds but most are there to take advantage of food provided by your picnic (another good reason to eat at Batchworth Brasserie) . Swans, Canada Geese, Mallard, Tufted Ducks, Coots form the majority of the birdlife.

If you follow the path West past Bury lake you will reach reach the Causeway, a path separating Bury lake from Stockers Lake. There is a path right round Stockers lake, which passes birdwatching hides- mainly situated on the Southern shore. On the northern side is the Heronry and the River Colne.(Look/Listen for Water Rails here)

Beyond Stockers Lake you pass the smaller Inns Lake and crossing the road reach Springwell Lake which again has a path round it.

Springwell is a Fishing Lake but the public are permitted to use the path. There is another Car Park here, handy for those approaching from the West. These lakes attract the slightly shyer birds and in winter the numbers increase dramatically.

Ducks include;- Tufted, Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveller, Smew, Goldeneye, Goosander. With Red Crested Pochard and Ruddy duck also seen occasionally.

Rarities turn up all the time. Recent sightings include Red Necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Red Crested Pochard -there was even a Sacred Ibis once-escaped of course!

The Grand Union Canal (GUC) runs along the southern boundary of the reserve. Across the canal at Stockers Lock you pass Stockers Farm. On the left by the canal is a field usually containing horses, which for large parts of the year is partly flooded.

This provides more birding oportunities such as Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing. A Footpath continues South from the ridge the along a valley leading to Plough Lane from Harefield to Spingwell Lock.

From this can be seen Hobbies (Summer Evenings), Kestrels, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Skylark, Whitethroat plus other warblers, Pheasants, Woodpeckers and Little Owls. In winter flocks of Fieldfares and Redwing.

North of Springwell lake towards the M25 feeder road are large fields. In these fields are Skylark, Linnet, Stock Dove, with winter flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover.(Often more than 200 strong.)

Thanks to Derek Hale for this information,

Three Rivers Model Yacht Club

Three Rivers Model Yacht Club, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.Model boating is free for one-off visits, there is a £20 annual subscription which includes insurance in case you capsize your boat.Racing is every Sunday, 10am - 12.30pm and most Friday evenings - call for details. Batchworth Brasserie is not open Friday Evenings. For further information contact Keith Allen - Secretary, Three Rivers Model Yacht Club on 0181 845 2607

Peter Yexley
Hertfordshire Internet
The Granary
Redwell Wood Farm
Ridge
Hertfordshire
EN6 3NA

Telephone 01707 646457

Email. peter@ukhq.com