There is a full events program throughout the year; there is something for all the family, call +44 (0)1992 708383 for your copy! It is a great place to relax and wind down, listen to birdsong, see flocks of wild ducks and enjoy views of lakes, meadows and marshes.

You can choose from a number of paths and trails that take you round the various wildlife areas, including reedbeds, open water, woodland and meadow. Regular observation hides allow you to watch the wildlife close-up, making it an ideal place for those new to wildlife watching.

In summer, a colony of common terns nests on specially made rafts in the old lagoons, and kingfishers breed in an artificial sandbank. During winter, ducks such as shovelers, gadwalls and tufted ducks can be seen in the open water.

The site is certainly not just about birds. The open water and reedbeds are complemented by patches of hedgerow and wet woodland, and support a diverse range of flowers and butterflies. Look out for the water buffalo, which graze the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust managed wetland, which lies adjacent to the reserve's central wet grassland area.