'I visited an underrated spot just 15 minutes from London - and found total peace'

Last weekend, I made the conscious decision to start spending more time in nature. I've always had an affection for the environment, but since moving to London it's become difficult to experience the wilderness.

I grew up in a suburban area with lots of green spaces to escape to; however, having moved to the urban jungle five years ago, over time it's left me feeling disconnected from the world and, admittedly, from myself. So with that in mind, I hopped on the internet and Googled 'nature walks near me' - start small right?

And to my surprise, they were more accessible than I would've thought. I began calculating distance, travel costs and which trail would be achievable in the few hours left of my day. This was how I came across the Walthamstow Wetlands, London Wildlife Trust. I was immediately intrigued and set off on my 40-minute journey, where I managed to fit in some light research.

The Walthamstow Wetlands is a large urban wetland nature reserve in London, and the largest of its kind in Europe. It's known for its diverse wildlife, especially birds - with over 140 species of bird recorded annually, it's a popular spot for birdwatching.

The marshes are a haven for various species, including rare wildfowl, kingfishers, peregrine falcons, amphibians and bats. This is thanks to their diverse habitats such as reservoirs, reedbeds and scrubland, providing homes for diverse species.

The wetlands aren't just a nature reserve, but also a working reservoir site for Thames Water, supplying 3.5 million homes with water. The reservoirs were built in the Victorian era and are still active today.

The protected area is of significant importance, even on an international scale. Walthamstow Wetlands is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a part of the Lee Valley Special Protection Area and aRamsar wetland site, all highlighting its international importance for wildlife. The site comprises ten reservoirs and is recognised for its biodiversity.

All this new information made me all the more excited to begin my adventure.

The 4.8-km circular trail near Hackney, London, is generally considered an easy route and I'd have to agree, which is probably why it wasn't too long into my walk that I saw parents with their young children enjoying the 30°C sun.

I looked out to the crushed stone trail ahead of me and was immediately met by a Canada goose, a popular bird species in the marshes, who'd emerged from the river on my left. The river ran all the way down the first stretch of the trail with a large lake set behind (pictured right).

As I continued down, still smiling from my endearing encounter with the goose, I stumbled across a tall, ominous building. As I walked towards it I saw a sign that read The old Coppermill (pictured left). The Coppermill Tower stands as a remnant of a watermill that dates back to the 14th century. It has been used for various purposes throughout history, including grinding corn, producing gunpowder, rolling paper and manufacturing leather. Today, the building is now open to the public offering panoramic views of the wetlands and surrounding areas.

I set back on my designated trail, which in total took me around an hour and a half to complete at a leisurely pace. In that time, I saw, heard and smelt so much of what nature has to offer. Gorgeous lilipads sitting peacefully on the water and baby swan seeking shelter from the blazing sun. The constant chatter from passing birds and earthy smell of flowing water, put at ease what I ventured to settle.

Though passing it on my way in, I didn't fully acknowledge the engine house (pictured left) until my departure. Originally built in 1894 as a pumping station, today it's used as a cafe on the site, offering refreshments for famished travellers. You can also hire out the venue for events, offering a unique experience due to the surrounding wildlife.

Unfortunately I'd finished my walk just a few minutes from the cafe closing so refreshments would have to be found elsewhere. To my luck, straight across the road was a restaurant - The Ferry Boat Inn.

I set forth with a refreshing cider and fish and chips in mind. The restaurant had lovely shaded outdoor seating, with a view of the river behind. For a pint of apple cider and hand-battered cod and chips, my total came to £17.79 - Great value considering the meal was delicious and fuelled me up enough to journey back home.

As I walked back to the station, London Wildlife Trust's call-to-action at the front gates stuck with me. 'Nature conservation is no longer enough'. Since the early 1970s, Over 41% of our wildlife species have declined, and if we are to restore what has been lost, a more proactive approach is needed to actively restore nature and its ecosystems at scale and pace.