The Brent Reservoir, or the Welsh Harp Reservoir (after a public house which stood on the Edgware Road just north of the Brent River bridge and in 1971 was demolished to make way for the Staples Corner fly-over at the start of the M1 motorway), also formerly known as the Kingsbury Reservoir, formed a major supply of water to the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal.

The Welsh Harp Reservoir from the air

It was constructed by building a dam across the River Brent in the area between Old Kingsbury Church and the Edgware Road between 1833 and 1835, and further enlarged and increased in height by 1854. The Reservoir no longer serves as a major water supply to the canal. However, it is used as a flood buffer.

The Welsh Harp

The total area of the Welsh Harp and its surroundings (forming part of the London Boroughs of Brent and Barnet) is approximately 340 acres, the actual water space being around 125 acres. The water depth is variable, but is deepest by the dam - approximately 6 meters (21 ft.). The Reservoir is the property of the British Waterways. The surrounding land is jointly managed by the London Boroughs of Brent and Barnet.

The flow of the water destined for the Canal Feeder is regulated by two valves at the end of a tunnel driven into the dam.

Flood Gates, Welsh Harp

Click here to reading about the burst of the Dam and the flooding of the River Brent.

The Old Welsh Harp itself housed a collection of birds, beasts and fishes, all caught or shot in the locality, as well as guns, engravings and paintings. Adjoining the tavern was a large concert hall where music hall artists of the period performed.

The Welsh Harp Bridge in 1904, carrying the Edgeware Road (which is technically in Barnet). The Old Welsh Harp is a building in the distance across the Reservoir

The grounds provided a variety of activities, including a fair ground, shooting, horse and greyhound racing, fishing, skating in winter, pitches for cricket, boxing matches etc. The Welsh Harp Station operated by the Midland Railway between 1870 and 1903 drew thousands, arriving for the activities and picnics by the lakeside or in the neighbouring fields.

Kingsbury Reservoir, as it was known at the time, was the only large expanse of open water close to London, and it became a mecca for Victorian naturalists. Eminent ornithologists, such as J. Harting, visited the Reservoir and obtained specimens of many rare birds.

Birds on the old Kingsbury Reservoir

Pond created in a bomb crator

During Second World War the Dam was targeted by the Nazi bombers. One of the bombs landed on the bank and left a crator, which subsequently filled up with water, creating a small pond. Now it remains as a decorative feature, and is also a good source for tadpoles. One can easily find it walking on a path from the Sailing Base car park. The row of trees behind it marks the border between Brent and Barnet.

With the urbanisation of the area and particularly with the construction of the North Circular Road in the 1920's, the recreational attractions of the area declined. Today, however, it still provides a valuable countryside oasis for local people, enjoying the air by the waterside, watching the sail boats go by. Sailing and windsurfing has been and remains a very popular activity at the reservoir. The Welsh Harp Sailing Association holds the lease for sailing, providing sailing instruction and racing, including hosting national events, and the Welsh Harp Youth Sailing Base is situated by the Cool Oak Lane Bridge.

Water sports on the Reservoir

In 1948 the Olympics' rowing competition was held on the Reservoir. The total number of sailing visits to the reservoir per year has been estimated at about 40,000 (as at 1999). Up to 100 boats can be out at any one time during a weekend. Whilst the majority of the site is wild in character, on both sides of the reservoir there are areas maintained as playing fields with a number of pitches, providing opportunities for both formal and informal recreation (see Educational and conservation organisations)

The Reservoir is a great place for a picnic

Wind Surfing on the Welsh Harp

Sailing Club training day

Water Sports on the Reservoir

Eastern Marsh

In the 1960s the area became a Site of Special Scientific Interest as one of the most important bird watching areas in southern England with an average of about 120 species recorded each year. In 1973 the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre opened on the 14 acre site which has been allowed to develop naturally since the 1920's. It provides environment education for school and college students of all ages.

Currently the Boroughs of Brent and Barnet are trying to reintroduce land-based recreational facilities to the area (see the Initiatives section). Over the past 20 years in excess of £250,000 has been spent by the Welsh Harp Conservation Centre on the work aimed at providing wild fowl refuges and wild life habitat diversity. In 2002 a reedbed was constructed. Click here to read more about the reedbed and see the photographs

Volunteers at work

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