The Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project

Extra care for the Rickmansworth Aquadrome

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.

The Woodland Pathway

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. We expect the results of the hydrological study soon.

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.

Rickmansworth Aquadrome 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 approximatley twice a year to discuss key milestones of the project and receives regular updates.

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 Middlesex Wildlife Trust