Less than a mile from the famous London Wetland Centre, tucked into a curve of the River Thames, is Barnes’ second, and older wildlife reserve, the Park known as Leg o’ Mutton Reservoir. Named after its shape, the reservoir was built in 1838 by Thames Water, and supplied water for the local population for 122 years, until 1960. On decommissioning, the site was earmarked for development into housing and a shopping centre. The residents of Barnes, a leafy and prosperous suburb, rebelled. After a tortuous process of several public enquiries,…
