The Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project

Our Vision and Priorities

Our Vision and Priorities

• Enriching biodiversity and sustainability
• Managing flood risks naturally
• Improving site accessibility
• Creating a sensitive, engaging site identity with better signage

Over the coming years, Three Rivers District Council, alongside its delivery partner, Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service, and with support from external funders, will undertake significant work to restore, improve and safeguard the site for the future.

In line with the 2022 – 2027 Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan, our vision is:

'For the Aquadrome to be enhanced, nurtured, and protected. To achieve a balance so nature can flourish, and visitors can connect with and discover beautiful and unique habitats whilst understanding the importance of the environmental heritage of the site.'

Our priorities include:

• enriching biodiversity and sustainability
• understanding and managing the risks of flooding
• improving accessibility throughout the site
• creating an engaging, but sensitive site identity, with improved signage and interpretation

As a local community, we would love for you and your visitors to feel part of this special journey. Whether you're new to the nature reserve or a regular visitor, your involvement and support is and will be key.

The unique Aquadrome

We’re lucky to have a biodiverse nature reserve, which has helped shape our visitors’ cherished memories across the decades. As a much-loved local spot, people visit the Aquadrome to feel closer to each other and the natural world.  From early years through to adulthood and old age, generations of families have connected over their appreciation for this special place and have enjoyed the wide range of activities that it offers – from wildlife spotting to sailing its serene waters.

Beyond the happy memories of its visitors, our Aquadrome has received wider recognition for its thriving biodiversity and array of wildlife, with both Green Flag and Local Nature Reserve status. It also acts as a natural flood plain to protect nearby Rickmansworth from damaging overflow after heavy rainfall.

The Aquadrome has given us so much across the generations. By working together to enhance the Aquadrome’s waters, wetlands and walkways, we can restore and protect its legacy for now and the future.

Within these webpages, you'll find information about the different projects we are working on, such as the new pedestrian bridge and improvements to the Ebury play area, as well as commonly asked Q&As. This will be updated as projects are delivered.

Biodiversity and Data Hub

• A biodiverse nature reserve with Green Flag and Local Nature Reserve status
• A cherished community space for wildlife spotting, sailing, and recreation
• Acts  as a natural flood plain protecting Rickmansworth

The River Colne flows through the Aquadrome, a chalk river, one of only 240 in the world. These rivers are rare, diverse ecosystems supporting a wealth of wildlife, they are vulnerable and need protection. The banks of the River Colne will undergo sensitive and selective tree works to balance light and shade, fostering marginal vegetation crucial for species such as water voles. Flow patterns will be diversified with strategically placed fallen trees and berms, enhancing in-channel habitats.

Another rare habitat that can be found nearer to Bury Lake is the wet woodland, this area is incredibly valuable to wildlife. The soils in these woodlands are wet for at least part of the year creating damp conditions, this combined with plenty of deadwood makes the area perfect for lots of specialist insects.

There is also a collection of conifer trees at the Aquadrome, known as a Pinetum. Conifers are ancient plants that would have once been the food of herbivorous dinosaurs. Pinetums are particularly important as approximately 1 in 3 species of conifers are currently facing extinction.

As part of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome project, over the coming months and years, the condition of the River Colne will be improved by reducing over-shaded areas and restoring the river channel to enhance the chalk river habitat.

Biodiversity Data Hub

This student data hub provides access to a collection of ecological survey data collected at Rickmansworth Aquadrome throughout 2024.

Surveys included:

• Invertebrates
• eDNA vertebrates
• eDNA mammal
• Otter
• Water Vole
• Bats
• Habitat Condition

Three Rivers District Council is inviting students, researchers or educators who are working on a school project, dissertation or ecological research to use this data. It provides an invaluable resource for understanding local biodiversity, habitat trends and conservation management.

From detailed species inventories to habitat condition assessments, there is a range of data to use to understand Three River’s biodiversity. Explore the data, analyse the trends and contribute to the growing knowledge of the Aquadrome.

Please remember to reference ‘Three Rivers District Council, Leisure Services’ on your work.  This project has been funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and it would be great to share with them how you have used the data.  Please share your work with us by sending it to  leisure@threerivers.gov.uk entitled Aquadrome Biodiversity Data usage.

Please follow the link below to view a comprehensive summary of the surveys, as well as PDFs of the surveys themselves.

Birdlife at Rickmansworth Aquadrome

This Local Nature Reserve hosts a range of bird species, from blackbirds to grey herons. Below are just some of the waterbirds you may spot when visiting Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

Mallard

The mallard is one of the most common ducks at the Aquadrome. The male has a dark green head, a yellow bill and a brown and grey body, whereas the female is speckled brown with an orange bill. Mallards are ‘dabbling’ ducks which means they feed on the surface or in shallow water. There are around 61,000 breeding pairs resident in the UK, with another 675,000 wintering birds, migrating from northern Europe.

Mute Swan

Their bill is orange with a black bulbous bump. A female is called a ‘pen,’ and the male is called a ‘cob’, there are not many differences between the two, except during breeding season the cobs black bump is larger. Their young are small and grey and are called cygnets. Despite their name, mute swans make loud honking noises and snorts and may hiss if you get too close. They are a long-standing native species, having been here since the medieval period.

Moorhen

Moorhens are black/brown in colour with a distinctive red and yellow beak. When looking closely, you can also see that their legs are green. Their bright beak is a display of how healthy they are, the brighter the beak, the healthier! The red is related to the level of bacterial infections and the yellow to the level of nutrients in their blood.

Coot

The coot is in the same family as moorhens but is distinctive by its white beak and white face shield. Its body is completely black and has skeletal-looking white webbed feet. It can often be seen diving under the water to gather vegetation to feed on. Their wings are round, making them weak fliers, instead, they run along the water, splashing to take off and land.

Tufted Duck

The tufted duck earns its name from the tuft of black feathers seen on the back of their heads. Their colouring is distinctive by having a black head, neck, chest and back and large white patches on their sides. Some of the UK’s tufted ducks stay here year-round, but their population increases in the winter due to migration from Iceland and Northern Europe.

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin ducks were introduced to the UK from China initially as pets, but following many escapes, they have established a population within various areas of the UK. The difference between the male and female is distinct, the brightly coloured male can be seen in the picture as a courting display to the more neutral coloured female.

Goldeneye

The goldeneye is a diving duck; the male is black and white with a black domed head that shimmers green. Females are mottled grey with a brown head, but both have the distinctive golden eye. It is an uncommon visitor and the male makes a loud whistle as part of their courtship display that can be heard up to one kilometer away.

Wigeon

A medium sized duck with a rounded head and small grey bill with a black tip. Males have a light brown head and neck, with a light-yellow forehead, pink breast, and grey mottled body. Females share the same beak but have a mottled brown body. They migrate down to the UK during the winter period from Iceland, Scandinavia, and Russia.

Great Crested Grebe

The great crested grebe is a distinctive resident in the lakes at the Aquadrome and can often be seen diving in the water to find food rather than flying. They have a decorative display of maroon and black feathers atop their head, with a white side profile and a deep red eye. Their body is brown/orange mottled, and their underneath is white. They were once hunted for their elaborate feathers, causing their UK population to decline rapidly. Now, their population is back on the rise and courting displays are extravagant and can be noticed by them rising out of the water and shaking heads with their partner.

Egyptian Goose

A non-native bird originally from Africa, with previous residencies along the River Nile. The Egyptian goose was introduced to the UK in the 17th century and has established populations in various areas. Its body is pale brown and grey, with white areas on their wings. Their eyes have distinctive deep brown circles around them.

Canada Goose

A species originating from North America, it can now be found across the UK. It was first introduced to join King James II’s waterfowl collection in St James’ Park in London in the 17thcentury. It is one of the UK’s largest geese, with a black head and neck, white underside of their head and a brown body. It can often be heard before it is seen, as they form large, noisy colonies.

Greylag Goose

The Greylag Goose is the largest goose native to the UK. They have a bright orange beak and legs, and a grey and light brown body, with a white underneath. They are very sociable and prefer to live in large flocks, when they communicate it is by a series of honks, cackles, and grunts, all having different meanings.

Grey Heron

The grey heron is the most common heron found at the Aquadrome. It is distinctive by its long neck, long legs, and large body. It has grey, black, and white featherings with a tuft of black feathers protruding from the back of its head. Despite their size, they can sometimes be tricky to spot, as they stand motionless on the waters edge for extended periods of time. They can also look like they shrink in size when they tuck their neck into their chest when resting. When they build their nests, they do so in colonies which are aptly known as ‘heronries.’

Little Egret

The little egret is in the heron family, small and white with black legs and bill with yellow feet and long white feathers displayed at the back of their head. Once a visitor from the Mediterranean, they now have established populations all over the UK. Their long white feathers were once a reason for their decline, favoured by the upper class to use in hats and clothing, they were once more valuable than gold!

Pochard

A principally winter visitor to the UK, the male pochard is distinctive by their bright maroon head, a black break and tail and a pale grey body. The female differs with a brown and grey body and pale cheeks. During summer and autumn, males grow new feathers during which time they closely resemble their female counterpart, this display is called the ‘eclipse’.

Cormorant

The Cormorant is large and black, with pale cheeks and hooked beak. Their feathers are not waterproof, so they can often be seen holding out their wings to dry after diving for fish.

Gulls

Did you know there is no such thing as a ‘seagull’? There are twelve species of gulls around the UK, six residents and six migratory, the gulls detailed below can be seen in Hertfordshire!

Herring

The most recognised gull by the public, often seen by the seaside, a large gull with a distinctive red mark next to their yellow beak. They can otherwise be identified by their light grey back, white underneath, black wing tips and pink legs.

Common

The common gull is not as common as the name suggests. It is similar in appearance to the herring gull but is smaller and lacks the red mark on their beak. It can be found in the shallower parts of the lakes, paddling to encourage invertebrate prey to the surface.

Great Black-Backed

The largest of the gull species, the great black-backed gull has a strong yellow beak, with a red mark towards the tip. They are dark grey on top, white underneath with a white head. Distinctively, they have black wings with white spots and pink legs. Due to their stature, they can be seen eating a variety of prey, from fish to rabbits.

Lesser Black-Backed

Similar in stature to the common gull, the lesser black-backed has a dark grey/black back and wings, a yellow bill, and yellow legs, distinguishing it from other species of gull. They have a red mark at the tip of their beak, as well as red colouring surrounding their eyes.

Black Headed

Seen in the spring and summer with a deep brown head, the black-headed gull is seen in large flocks diving into the water to catch fish. Pale grey wings, a white neck and stomach and black tail feathers also help distinguish this gull. During the autumn and winter months, this gull will change colouring and have a white head with a black spot behind its eyes.

The best opportunity to spot any of these birds are on Bury and Batchworth lakes, or along the River Colne. If you would like to feed the birds, please do so using seeds, peas or sweetcorn.

The Woodland Pathway and hydrological study

Developing the plans for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project:

The woodland walk will follow its original route as it leaves Batchworth Lake and passes along the river Colne, after approximately 230m, it then turns left and heads south through the Pinetum. The woodland walk will then rejoin the wider path network at Bury Lake. The path will be partially bridged and for sections it will be raised with a permeable surface. This is to alleviate the various hurdles of flooding and asbestos. The remaining route (from where the path turns left, through to the north-west corner of Bury Lake) will not be surfaced.

Information on the woodland walk can be found on the 'Developing the plans for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project' tab on page 23 and 24 of the “Developing the Plans” document and additionally within the RIBA 3 Drawing 2006 – Woodland Walk & Pinetum Path.

Woodland Walk - Asbestos Management:

As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Phase, works were procured to investigate the potential presence of asbestos at key locations as part of the project plans for infrastructure improvements.

The site investigations comprised of:

• 36 hand dug trial pits at a maximum depth of 1.2m
• Cone penetration testing at 14 locations to a maximum depth of 10m below ground level

The ground investigations and associated site walkovers identified 10 new Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) locations. One high risk, two medium risk and seven low risk areas were identified, of which four, including the high and a medium risk location, are within the vicinity of the Woodland Walk. The specialist consultants have recommended that access to this area remains restricted. Despite the existing closure of the Woodland Walk, continued non-compliance with on-site safety restrictions means that an unacceptable level of risk persists, which has resulted in the council taking immediate action rather than wait for the delivery phase works. A surface pick of the ACMs was commissioned and took place over a two-week period in April and May 2026. Given the scale and nature of the asbestos in certain areas, complete removal is not considered viable and, as a result, it will be necessary to permanently restrict public access to such areas through permanent, secure, fencing. A secure access gate will be incorporated to accommodate staff and specialist contractor access for monitoring and maintenance such as tree works.

The permanent containment of the high-risk area will not, in due course, negate the refurbishment of the woodland path itself nor will it preclude the planned reopening of the path as part of the Aquadrome Programme. However, as is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the council has a legal duty to protect the public from coming into contact with known, high risk asbestos. Temporary chestnut pale fencing has been installed to prevent public access in this location.

This webpage will be updated as soon as timescales are confirmed for the permanent containment.

Update June 2026:

The Woodland Walk at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome will remain closed following the discovery of high-risk asbestos near the path. Read more. 

Update February 2026:

Work has been taking place to better understand how water moves and behaves within the Aquadrome, known as its hydrology. A summary document has been compiled drawing on the various technical reports which have allowed proposed designs to be produced.

Woodland Walk Timeline

Update January 2026:

The council and its contractor were granted access to the Environment Agency’s (EA) updated Upper Colne model, which is used to assess flood risk in the upper reaches of the River Colne catchment, in October 2025. After several issues were remedied by the EA, the council’s contractor began the review process which looked at the suitability of the model and the suitability of the hydrology for the Aquadrome area. Following this a hydrological assessment was completed and the model was trimmed to the required area. Approval of a roadmap to modelling was sought and achieved from the EA and at present the modelling is being conducted. Once completed, this will inform the detailed improvements for the Aquadrome.

Currently the woodland pathway is closed for Health and Safety reasons owing to seasonal flooding which is an important aspect of the site’s purpose and ecology. This year has seen more significant rainfall, causing structural damage to the pathway meaning that it is currently unsafe for public use. Short term repairs to the pathway would likely be washed away with any further significant rainfall and flooding, resulting in the re-closure of the path and a waste of limited council funds.

The council is focused on a long-term solution, and therefore has secured external funding to repair the woodland pathway as well as bring habitat improvements. The design of the upgraded pathway will be informed by a hydrological survey that is currently taking place. This is a complex survey and modelling exercise which will help to better understand the movement of water into, out of and across the Aquadrome. Any new pathways will be designed to work in harmony with seasonal flooding – and provide a better long-term solution for all. 

Many alternative pathways and walking routes remain open within the Aquadrome for everyone to use and enjoy. The council thanks visitors for their patience and understanding.

Latest news stories:

BLOG: What we know about how the water behaves at the Aquadrome - 5 March 2026

Pathway to restoring and protecting a much-loved Woodland walk revealed - 2 December 2025

The story so far

Generations of residents and visitors across the UK have enjoyed the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, but the time has come to restore and protect this precious nature reserve for now and the future.

Ebury Play Area - July 2026:

The refurbishment of the Ebury Play Area has now been completed, and the playground is now open for everyone to enjoy.

The background of works towards the successful reopening of this much-loved community play area will remain available to read here: Background to re-opening Ebury Play Area (PDF, 3.6 MB).

Plans are developing at the Aquadrome - May 2026:

Landscape architects are making great headway with developing the plans for the Aquadrome, ready for planning consideration. 

Reflecting on public engagement on the first stage designs, landscape designers and hydrologists from RSK Group, have honed their plans to create a beautiful welcome hub with seating and planting, opportunities to look out over the lakes and enjoy being nearer the water, improved path networks to tackle river and lake erosion, and new signage to help visitors navigate the site whilst learning about its heritage.  These plans will be included in the next funding bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund in November.

Once the designs have been finalised, certain aspects will be considered as part of the planning process, as required by the National Lottery. Its purpose is to ensure the works comply with local and national planning policies, balancing social, environmental and economic impacts. The application is considered and determined on planning considerations only by the council’s Planning Committee. 

The public will be invited to view the drawings online once available.

These plans are made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Investigation works at Aquadrome - March 2026:

Investigation works are set to be carried out at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome to help gain a better understanding of the ground conditions for planned site enhancements.

Three Rivers District Council’s contractor will be undertaking a routine asbestos survey of the Aquadrome during March. This survey is a standard precautionary measure to identify any potential risks prior to improvement works and is of no risk to the public. All activities will be undertaken by qualified specialists in accordance with regulatory requirements and approved safety procedures.

All works will be carefully planned and carried out to minimise the risk of asbestos fibre release to both investigation teams and others on site. Appropriate exclusion zones and safety measures will be in place to ensure activities are managed responsibly, acknowledging the known presence of asbestos in the ground.

For your safety, please follow all warning signage and exclusion zones, and always keep clear of any excavation areas. We appreciate your cooperation.

Masterplan Engagement - February 2026:

Following funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, officers have been developing a site wide Masterplan, detailed designs relating to landscaping, hydrology, tree and vegetation management and visitor experience and connectivity.

The emerging concepts and draft illustrations on what this could mean for the Aquadrome and what it could look like are being shown publicly for residents and visitors to engage with. Find out more on our Have Your Say platform: https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/rickmansworth-aquadrome-project.

Three Rivers District Council and its contractor, RSK, will also be hosting an in-person engagement session outside the café in the Aquadrome on Saturday 7 March from 9:30am to 2pm.

Read the latest news stories:

Council acts over asbestos found near Woodland Walk - 3 June 2026

Temporary Aquadrome Bridge closure during play area works - 13 April 2026

Work begins to remove invasive plants at a popular Rickmansworth play area - 18 March 2026

BLOG: What we know about how the water behaves at the Aquadrome - 5 March 2026

Take a look at draft masterplan for Aquadrome - 16 February 2026

VIDEO: How the council will use funds to improve the Rickmansworth Aquadrome - 20 January 2026

Pathway to restoring and protecting a much-loved Woodland walk revealed - 2 December 2025

Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost - 9 July 2025

Funding

The Aquadrome project seeks to enhance and protect the site which will be achieved through attracting external funding. 

Successful funding: 

• Three Rivers District Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome project. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to enhance, nurture and protect the site.
• July 2025: Development funding of £736,515 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help Three Rivers progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £4m at a later date.  The success of the funding bid was also made possible through using funds awarded by HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Panel as match funding.
• January 2024: Three Rivers District Council received a £161,691 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in January 2024 to deliver a 10-month-long project at the Aquadrome, looking specifically at recovery and resilience. This project has enabled the council to make some essential first steps in understanding more about habitats, conditions and usage of the Aquadrome - through an engaging programme of community activities and the commissioning of various surveys.
  Almost a year on, we are celebrating the ‘Identify, Inform, Involve’ - Natural Heritage Networks project successes and sharing the baseline knowledge captured with the local community, who truly value this local nature reserve. 

To find out more, please read the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Digital Brochures, which include Natural Heritage Networks Evaluation Report and Aquadrome 2024 Activity Highlights.

• Funding of £100,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has allowed for the fishing swims to have a new lease of life. Each new unique swim will include fencing to improve the site safety and provide a quiet fishing space for the fisherman.  The fishing improvement project has worked in partnership with Countryside Management and the resident fishing association at the Aquadrome to ensure the swims meet the needs of everyone, including a wheelchair accessible swim.
• The  HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Plan (AMP) has supported the project and awarded £510,463 for biodiversity improvements
• CIL and UKSPF  has funded £1,286,092 for the costs to replace the pedestrian bridge and landscape the area.

Picture this....

Storyboards have been designed to keep visitors up to date with the improvements at the Aquadrome. These boards are found through out the site where these developments are happening so that it explains what’s going on and why.

Please enjoy seeing them here too:

The pedestrian bridge:

In early 2025, after decades of service, the old pedestrian bridge was replaced. Funded largely by developer contributions, the new bridge is 48.6m in length and 3m wide – double in width than the old bridge to allow pedestrians, wheelchairs, buggies and cyclists to pass each other safely and encourage sustainable travel. The background of works towards the successful replacement of the pedestrian bridge will remain available to read here: Background communications to the replacement of the pedestrian bridge (PDF).

Project timeline

Find out how the council will use funds to improve the Rickmansworth Aquadrome by watching the video below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can find a range of frequently asked questions relating to developing the plans for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project on the 'Developing the plans for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project' tab.

What is happening with the woodland pathway?
Currently the woodland pathway is closed. 

As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Phase, works were procured to investigate the potential presence of asbestos at key locations as part of the project plans for infrastructure improvements.

The site investigations comprised of:

• 36 hand dug trial pits at a maximum depth of 1.2m
• Cone penetration testing at 14 locations to a maximum depth of 10m below ground level

The ground investigations and associated site walkovers identified 10 new Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) locations. One high risk, two medium risk and seven low risk areas were identified, of which four, including the high and a medium risk location, are within the vicinity of the Woodland Walk. The specialist consultants have recommended that access to this area remains restricted. Despite the existing closure of the Woodland Walk, continued non-compliance with on-site safety restrictions means that an unacceptable level of risk persists, which has resulted in the council taking immediate action rather than wait for the delivery phase works. A surface pick of the ACMs was commissioned and took place over a two-week period in April and May 2026. Given the scale and nature of the asbestos in certain areas, complete removal is not considered viable and, as a result, it will be necessary to permanently restrict public access to such areas through permanent, secure, fencing. A secure access gate will be incorporated to accommodate staff and specialist contractor access for monitoring and maintenance such as tree works.

The permanent containment of the high-risk area will not, in due course, negate the refurbishment of the woodland path itself nor will it preclude the planned reopening of the path as part of the Aquadrome Programme. However, as is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the council has a legal duty to protect the public from coming into contact with known, high risk asbestos. Temporary chestnut pale fencing has been installed to prevent public access in this location.

This webpage will be updated as soon as timescales are confirmed for the permanent containment, and you can find more details of the Asbestos management plan for the Aquadrome here: Rickmansworth Aquadrome | Three Rivers District Council

When will Ebury play area be open?
The much-anticipated refurbishment of a well-loved play area in Rickmansworth has been completed in time for the summer holidays.

Three Rivers District Council’s contractor, The School Renovation Company, has successfully completed the revamp of the Ebury Play Area by Riverside Drive on Monday 6 July. Find out more

How are works being paid for?

The Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project is an ambitious one that requires external funding. Over the last 18 months, Three Rivers District Council has been successful in attracting funding to enable us to protect and enhance the beautiful green space.

Our thanks go to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the HS2 Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, the Community Infrastructure Levy and to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

If you would like to read the details of how each funding stream will be used at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, please click on one of the following links:

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Identify, Inform, Involve - Natural Heritage Networks at Rickmansworth Aquadrome)

HS2 Colne Valley Regional Park Panel

Community Infrastructure Levy

We continue to seek more external funding so that the Management Plan can be fully implemented and we can ensure that the Aquadrome remains a wonderful place to visit and that its habitats flourish.

What are the Future plans?

We continue to explore grant funding opportunities as they arise to support further work at the Aquadrome. Successful funding bids will be used to improve the accessibility of the Aquadrome, making the paths safer and enhancing the smaller bridges across the site. Signage and maps will be upgraded and complemented with new and interesting interpretation boards and upgraded park furniture which will connect you to the canal and onto the Colne Valley Regional Park so you can better enjoy the miles of green and blue space.

Around the lakes we plan to reduce those shaded areas that are negatively impacting the ecology of the lakeside and address the erosion that is threatening the banks and path networks. We are currently waiting on the results of a hydrology study that will inform the decisions around managing the flood plain. You can read more about developing plans for the Aquadrome project here: The Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project | Three Rivers District Council

Why does the Aquadrome flood?

The Aquadrome sits on a floodplain. This flat area next to the River Colne stores water, supports a diversity of wildlife, captures carbon and improves water quality. Flood plains are important, especially as we all face the challenges of climate change.

The hydrological study (a study of how water enters, leaves and moves around the site) that is taking place will help us to better understand water movement across and through the Aquadrome and its role as a flood plain. This will ensure that the way the Aquadrome is managed is informed and conducted responsibly to support this essential function that protects the wider area of Rickmansworth Town.

On occasions when the Aquadrome flood plain is doing its job and protecting the local area from flooding, we sometimes have to close some of the paths. This keeps visitors safe until the water has receded and allows us to assess and repair any damage that it may have caused. Please respect the closures when they are in place.

What does 'Making space for Nature' mean?
Some of the old fishing swims have been returned to nature. The fence line along these areas, is protecting the vegetation that establishes on the edge of the lakes, known as marginal vegetation.  This is important as it can reduce erosion by stabilising the soil, using its roots to lock the soil together. The vegetation assists with minimising erosion, and it also provides invaluable habitat to a variety of species, providing shelter and food – boosting the biodiversity of the lakes.

By giving these plants the best opportunity to establish, nature can protect the banks, preserving the lake for years to come.

You will notice that currently the lake banks are over-shaded.  While trees around the lake banks are beneficial for creating shady, cooler spots both for people and wildlife, the lakes remain over-shaded. This is creating a dark environment at the edges of the lakes where marginal vegetation cannot establish and thrive as photosynthesis is limited. As the Aquadrome project progresses, habitat management around the lake will take place to appropriately manage the trees so that light can reach the lake edges and shade can be maintained in other areas. Once this balance has been established, additional marginal planting will support this establishment.

At the heart of all the enhancements and improvements we are making to the Aquadrome will be nature and a positive visitor experience. We strive to find the right balance between the two so that they live in harmony and can both flourish.

Stay informed and support the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project. 

Community involvement and steering group

Public Engagement Session

Learn more about the exciting latest plans and designs for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome at a public engagement session in September. Three Rivers District Council officers will be on hand to explain more about the project and answer your questions.

Wednesday 16 September 2026
5pm to 7pm
Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL

The link to watch the livestream will be listed here one week before the event.

Please save the date and come along. This meeting will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to attend. Please submit your questions in advance by emailing leisure@threerivers.gov.uk by 9 September.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Have your say

Share your thoughts and memories

We want everyone to be part of the Aquadrome's journey by providing their feedback or explaining what the site means to them.

Please use the ideas board to share your thoughts, feedback and photos so that we can build a picture of how the Rickmansworth Aquadrome is used, and what it means to its visitors.

Have a question?

We have created an FAQ page to answer as many questions about the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project as we can. However, if you want to ask a question not found on the page, we are more than happy to answer.

Have your say: https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/rickmansworth-aquadrome-project

Steering group

In March 2023, a steering group was established for the Aquadrome project. The group consists of main stakeholders with the goal to oversee and support the project. Members of the steering group use their experiences, skills and knowledge of specific topics to help make strategic decisions.

Agreement of vision and aims This Steering Group aims to bring key stakeholders together to develop plans for the project outlined in the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan (2022-27). It is in place to support and work collaboratively at a strategic level, for the greater good of the site and to ensure we have support throughout the community.

The Steering Group should be a critical friend of the project and help to support any required funding bids, to deliver the project outcomes. It meets approximately twice a year to discuss key milestones of the project and receives regular updates.

Meeting minutes:

11 March 2026
A Steering Group meeting was held on 11 March 2026. You can see the minutes of the meeting here:

Aquadrome Steering Group Meeting Minutes – 11 March 2026 (PDF)

Presentations:

Aquadrome Project Update (PDF, 14.7 MB)
RSK Presentation (PDF, 6.9 MB)
RSK Storyboards (PDF, 52.3 MB)
RSK Record Report (PDF)

Partner Updates:

Partner update – Canal River Trust (PDF)
Partner update – Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (PDF)

15 October 2025
A Steering Group meeting was held on 15 October. You can see the minutes of the meeting here:

Aquadrome Steering Group Meeting Minutes – 15 October 2025 (PDF)

Presentations:

Aquadrome Project Update – presentation (PDF, 7 MB)
Community Engagement – presentation (PDF, 6.2 MB)
RSK – presentation (PDF, 6.1 MB)
RSK - record report (PDF, 2.4 MB)

Partner Updates:

Partner update – Colne Fishing (PDF)
Partner update – Colne Valley Regional Park (PDF)
Partner update – Sustainable Three Rivers (PDF)

Members include:

• Three Rivers District Council
• Countryside Management Service
• Batchworth Community Council
• Three Rivers Museum
• Rickmansworth and District Residents’ Association
• Colne Valley Regional Park
• Affinity Water
• Colne Catchment Action Network
• Rickmansworth Waterways Trust
• Environment Agency
• Colne  Valley Fisheries Consultative
• Canal River Trust
• Sustrans
• Sustainable Three Rivers
• St Marys School
• Rickmansworth and District Resident’s Association
• Friends of Stockers Lake
• Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Developing the plans for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project

Community engagement, technical surveys and scientific investigations have played a central role in shaping the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project since National Lottery Heritage Fund funding was awarded in July 2025.

This major nature recovery and enhancement project is currently in the first phase of a two-stage funding process and is progressing through the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) design stages. At this stage, the focus is on developing and refining proposals, with no physical works taking place on site.

This page explains how the project has progressed from RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) to RIBA Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination), and how scientific evidence, technical investigations and community feedback have informed the proposed enhancements across the Aquadrome.

Using the button “Development Plans”, you can access the documents, reports and studies that have guided key design decisions. For an overview of the proposed improvements, subject to funding approval, read RIBA Stage 2 to RIBA Stage 3: How Science and Engagement Guided the Design, which explains how evidence and public feedback have shaped the evolving proposals.

You can also explore detailed information on a range of subjects from Ecology, Hydrology, asbestos and accessibility. Together, these studies have helped develop a design that balances nature recovery, accessibility, heritage, recreation and long-term resilience.

About the Plans:

Please note this information is live and as such is subject to change and amendment.

What is going to happen with the woodland walk?

The formal route has been revised to provide access through the pinetum, turning north-east along the River Colne to re-join the main footpath network at Batchworth Lake. The remaining pathway from the Bury Lake entrance will be returned to a natural surface. The woodland walk will then rejoin the wider path network at Bury Lake. The path will be partially bridged and for sections it will be raised with a permeable surface. This is to alleviate the various hurdles of flooding and asbestos. 

Information on the woodland walk can be found on page 23 and 24 of the “Developing the Plans” document and additionally within the RIBA 3 Drawing 2006 – Woodland Walk & Pinetum Path.

When will this all happen?

It is hoped that capital works will commence in phased approach from June 2027 with completion expected in Spring 2030. This is dependent on planning permission and Flood Risk Activity Permit approval and successfully achieving funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The anticipated timeline for the Aquadrome Project can be seen on page 34 of the “Developing the Plans” Document.

How will these plans work when there is so much asbestos present at the Aquadrome?

Significant investigative work has been completed at the Aquadrome to understand the presence of asbestos; the level of risk present and methods to mitigate this when delivering the project. At the point of delivery, contractors will need to follow the councils Asbestos Management Plan, this requires Method Statements to detail their work and all appropriate action or mitigation needed to ensure safety for all.

Summary information on Asbestos can be found on page 8 of the “Developing the Plans” document. Detailed information can be found within the documents titled “Geoscience” of the collection. Further information on the management of asbestos within the Aquadrome can be found on the council’s webpage: Asbestos Management Plan (and FAQs).

Are dogs allowed to be off lead at the Aquadrome?

Yes. However, dogs are not permitted in the water, in the play area, outdoor gym or the fenced picnic area. All dogs must be kept under control at all times and on a lead around the cafe area.

At bird nesting times, dog owners will be asked to keep their dog on a lead and/or under close control around certain areas of the lakes to ensure the protection of the waterfowl.

As of 1 April 2016, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog control came into effect across the Three Rivers district. Find out more.

How did the Aquadrome plans take the public’s opinion on board?

The main engagement period ran from 12 February to 17 March 2026. During this period an online survey was hosted on the council’s website, a public event was held at the Aquadrome, a steering group meeting took place, targeted engagement was conducted and neighbouring households to the river were leafletted. Throughout the “Developing the Plans” document, there are sections which explain the decision making which includes engagement.

Information on the public engagement, feedback received and how this has guided the design can be found on pages 9 – 13 of the “Developing the Plans” document.

Why don't you charge non-Three Rivers residents for parking?

There are currently no plans to charge for using the Aquadrome car park.

The “no-charge” policy is to remove any financial barriers to using the outdoor public space.

Will the Aquadrome still flood?

Yes. As a floodplain to the river Colne, it is expected that there will still be instances of flooding within the Aquadrome. The project aims to increase the efficiency of the floodplain and do so in a way that maintains public access for as long as possible. The improvements planned will increase the resilience of the paths against flooding and assist in directing the water through the floodplain rather than straight over paths.

Information on hydrology can be found on page 7 of the “Developing the Plans” document and within the Hydrological Summary.

What is Bury Point?

Bury Point is a newly named area that sits behind the cafe along the bank of Bury Lake towards BLYM. It is the area that is the home to the Radio Control Yachting Club and has many memorial benches situated there for the stunning views.

To enable better access, an improved path and open shelter with seating have been included in the new designs.

Information on Bury Point can be found on page 26 and 27 of the “Developing the Plans” document and within Drawing 2007.

Will the new plans make it even more busy?

Improving any public open space will make it busier; however, it is not the intention of the council to actively increase the number of visitors.

The project aims to improve the infrastructure, enhance the nature of the site, protect its rare habitats, and encourage visitors to take responsibility for their behaviour.

We hope that all visitors will enjoy and respect the nature reserve.

What will the impact of removing Bury Weir be on the millstream?

The removal of Bury Weir will be accompanied by regrading of the riverbed and protection to the riverbanks. The structure of the weir will be removed; however, the riverbed will be adjusted appropriately so as not to impact the flow of the river Colne and the millstream.

The ecological impact of removing this structure will be very beneficial to the millstream as wildlife will be able to move freely up and downstream.

Information on river restoration can be found on pages 29 and 30 of the “Developing the Plans” document.

How is the flooding over the Causeway being fixed?

This is a particularly hydrologically sensitive area due to the ground levels. Also sitting in the floodplain with proximity to the lakes, restricts the surface that is possible to use. This restricts the options that could be viable for the path.

Working alongside experts and the Environment Agency, plans continue to be developed and will be shared once available.

Visiting the Aquadrome

Information on visiting the Aquadrome can be found here.