Centuries whisper through the very stones of The Coppermills. Here beside Walthamstow Marshes, The Coppermills blends London’s industrial past with vibrant nature. This area offers a unique glimpse into history and a thriving ecosystem.
Originally, in the 14th century, a simple watermill stood here. It ground corn for the local people. By the 17th century, The Coppermills transformed into Powdermill Marsh. It became a site for manufacturing gunpowder.
In 1806, The British Copper Company acquired the mill. The Coppermills then played a crucial role in copper rolling. Copper ingots arrived from Swansea. They were processed into sheets for various uses. Even currency production benefited from this copper.
The East London Waterworks Company acquired The Coppermills in 1859. They constructed reservoirs to supply London’s growing population with water. Today, Thames Water manages The Coppermills. They ensure it remains a vital source of clean water.
The Italianate Coppermills Tower is now part of the Walthamstow Wetlands nature reserve. Climb the tower. Enjoy panoramic views across the reservoirs. It is a must-visit for any visitor to the area.
Beside the waterworks lies Coppermill Fields Nature Reserve. It is a quiet reserve perfect for a peaceful nature walk. Many enjoy picnicking and birdwatching here.
Walthamstow Marshes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Various birds, plants, and aquatic species call it home. This makes it ideal for nature enthusiasts and families. The Walthamstow reservoirs cover over 300 acres. They are known as one of London’s largest fisheries. Anglers and bird watchers visit from across the city.
The present Coppermill building was erected two centuries ago. Copper coins were minted here during the Napoleonic Wars. The East London Waterworks Company converted it to a pumping station in the 1860s. That is when they added the tower.
The Thames Water facility here was completed in 1969. Filter beds sit on the site of the Racecourse Reservoir. It has an output of 108 million gallons a day. Water from the River Lea is previously stored in the Lea Valley reservoirs.
Reservoir No. 3 holds 25 million gallons. The East London Water Co built it in 1863. It has two islands. Reservoir No. 5 was built in 1866. It holds 170 million gallons.
The London water ring main passes under this site at about 45 meters underground.
In 1853, the East London Waterworks Company obtained an Act. It sanctioned an aqueduct. This aqueduct carried water across the marsh. It ran from the Coppermill Stream to the Company’s filter beds on Lea Bridge Road.
The Coppermill Stream has had other names. Paper Mill River is one of them.
The Italianate Coppermills Tower was built in 1864. It once housed a Cornish Bull engine. The tower now offers panoramic views. It also shares historical information.
So, as you stand here at The Coppermills, consider its layered past. From corn mill to gunpowder production to copper rolling and finally water treatment. The Coppermills has always been vital to London. Its story is etched in every brick and flows in every stream.