Aquadrome

The Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve,
Frogmoor Lane,
Off Harefield Road,
Rickmansworth, Herts 
Telephone 01923 776611

How to find the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve

In July 2009 the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve became an award winning open space when it received a Green Flag award. Find out why judges rate this reserve as such a special place.




Covering 41 hectares, the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve consists of lakes, grassland and woodland and is an ideal place for walks. In july 2009, the reserve recevied a Green Flag award, which is only given to parks and open spaces with meet certain high standards. Read more on why the Aquadrome LNR has

At the centre of the Aquadrome LNR are three lakes, formed by the extraction of the gravel used in the construction of the original Wembley Stadium; Batchworth Lake is fished during the open season and is home to the water-skiing club.

Next door Bury Lake is used for sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Anyone wishing to participate in the watersports must be affiliated to the various clubs. You can find contact details on the different clubs at the bottom of this page.

Adjacent to Bury Lake is Stockers Lake, a bird and wildlife sanctuary owned by Three Valleys Water and managed by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. "Friends of Stockers Lake" can be contacted on 01923 778106.

The Aquadrome LNR is open 365 days of the year and there is no admission charge. There is plenty of free parking available, including bays for disabled drivers and improvements have been made to the network of paths around the reserve so wheelchair users can get around easily.

Whilst you're at the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve a visit to the new Cafe in the Park, which is open from 9:30am to 5pm, will refuel you! You will also find information on other nature reserves and walks in the district.

If it's a sunny day a picnic in the dog free picnic area located close to the toilet facilities and the Cafe in the Park, is an ideal way of relaxing for a few hours.



There is a children's play area next to Batchworth Lake, with access off Riverside Drive.


You will also find the new outdoor gym for adults located within this area. You can find out about free taster sessions for adults by visiting www.iGetEverydayActive.co.uk


If you would like to use the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve for filming, a children's party, fete or similar event please contact the Leisure department on 01923 776611 or email leisure@threerivers.gov.uk

The national sponsored Run for the Children which coincided with Father's Day, was held at the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve in June 08. Over 300 adults and children took part.

The reserve also played host to last year's National Play Day which attracted over 1000 families who got to enjoy outdoor play, from rope swings and sailing, to water slides and camp fires.


The Rickmansworth Festival takes place on the third weekend of May every year at the Aquadrome LNR. Celebrating canals, the community and the environment, the festival has been going for over fifteen years and is the highlight of the town’s annual calendar and finale of Rickmansworth Week.

Buggyfun and fitness at the Aquadrome LNR

Mums will be hard pushed to find a more peaceful and beautiful setting to help jump start weight loss, fight the baby blues, meet other mums, bond with baby and have fun all at the same time!
An excercise programme has been developed specifically for post natal mums, which includes a focus on stomach toning. During the sessions, mums will burn calories and fat through a cardio session and improve posture and muscle tone.

Sessions are from Tuesday 7 July until Tuesday 25 August from 1pm to 3pm. Buggyfun and Fitness is free but mums need to book. Call Mary on 07709 342329.

Nordic Walking

Free taster sessions and First Steps in Nordic Walking take place at the Aquadrome LNR from June.
Visit www.iGetEverydayActive.co.uk to find out full details, times and other locations where Nordic Walking is available.








Stuck for something to do with the children?

Why not visit the BBC's Breathing Places site and download some great ideas and suggestions for getting up close and personal with nature! They have some brilliant things for you to do whether as a family or a school. Bug hunts, walk on the wildside, tuning into the dawn chorus...there's lots of free fun to be had with nature.

Get involved...become a Friend

A brand new Friends of group has now been set up for the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve.

The first task that the Friends of the Aquadrome are going to do is put up some nest boxes, including a box for Barn Owls which have been seen flying over the site.

There's lots of different types of support we need from Friends. It could be help with planning furture management plans, clearing banks, conducting wildlife surveys or consultation with users. If you would like more information or would like to be a Friend of the Aquadrome LNR then contact  Kay FitzGerald at kay.fitzgerald@threerivers.gov.uk , call 01923 77661 or pick up a form from the Cafe in the Park.

Water Safety at the Aquadrome LNR

During the school holidays, and in particular in hot weather, increasing numbers of children put themselves at risk of drowning. In 2005, 39 children aged between 0-14 accidentally drowned in the UK. To keep yourself safe, when you are in, on or beside water, always follow the Water Safety Code.

Win a free sailing experience!

We would like to gather information from children and young people on their experiences of water based activities and water safety. The questionnaire below will help us improve our services, and for children and young people who complete the questionnaire, there is the opportunity to win a unique sailing experience at the Aquadrome catering for their own age group or experience.

The following downloads will give you more information on the plans for the Aquadrome along with feedback from the Green Flag assessment and what current users are saying about this nature reserve.

Aquadrome LNR Management Plan 2010 DOWNLOAD

 

Green Flag judges report  DOWNLOAD

 
Day tickets
One day tickets for fishing at the Aquadrome LNR on Batchworth lake are available from the council offices from the Leisure department. Tickets are £5 each to adults (including OAP's) and are free to juniors of 17 and under and free to registered disabled.
Tickets purchased after 4pm will be valid for the rest of that day (until dusk) and the following day.

Regular fishing
If you would like to fish at the Aquadrome LNR on a regular basis, you need to contact Uxbridge Rovers Angling and Conservation Society:

Secretary: Bob Lane
Uxbridge Rovers ACS
59 Dutton Way
Iver
Bucks SL0 9LZ
Telephone: 01753 819736
Website: www.uracs.co.uk

Did this page give you the information you were looking for?
If you click on one of the faces you will be taken to an automated email. Unless you wish to add any extra comments or suggestions, just click on "send" to let us know how this page is performing. We will not keep your details unless you ask for a response.

The Aquadrome's recreational facilities are leased to various clubs 

 

Aquadrome Car Park Opening Times   

Month	week	times
January		8:00am – 4:30pm
February	First week	8:00am – 4:30pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 5:30pm
March	First three weeks	8:00am – 6:00pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 7:00pm
April	First two weeks	8:00am – 7:00pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 7:30pm
May	First two weeks	8:00am – 8:00pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 8:30pm
June		8:00am – 8:30pm
July		8:00am – 8:30pm
August		8:00am – 8:30pm
September	First three weeks	8:00am – 8:30pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 7:30pm
October	First week	8:00am – 6:30pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 6:00pm
November	First week	8:00am – 5:00pm
	Rest of month	8:00am – 4:30pm
December		8:00am – 4:30pm