Country Parks and Nature Reserves

The Ripple Nature Reserve

The Ripple Nature Reserve covers about 25 acres and is managed by London Wildlife Trust. Set among the industrial landscape of Barking Riverside and once a dumping area for pulverised fuel ash, The Ripple provides a fascinating example of how nature can reclaim industrial wasteland.

Habitats

The reserve is a tapestry of birch woodland, scrub and grassland.

Species

The dumping of fuel ash has created a soil that is very alkaline and therefore different to most soils in London (they are mostly acidic). This means that many plant species that can tolerate the soils of The Ripple struggle to grow elsewhere locally. Pyramidal and southern marsh orchids, grey club rush and wild basil are the most important of these.

The areas of meadow and scrub provide a suitable habitat for 6 red data book species (those that are considered on the edge of extinction) of invertebrates.

The development of the surrounding land has seen quite a few interesting animals disappear from the site. Grey partridge and water vole, for example. Those species that are left are fairly typical of urban nature reserves though perhaps the number of rabbits and flocks of goldfinches are notable.

Events

The London Wildlife Trust run regular events in conjunction with the borough's Parks and Countryside Ranger Service.

Events are listed on our Parks and Countryside Events page. A leaflet also available in libraries and from the Millennium Centre.

Accessibility

The Ripple Nature Reserve does not have open access to wheelchairs. Access can however be arranged, please contact the project manager for further information.