The Withey Beds is a Local Nature Reserve in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. It is one of the few remaining wetlands in Hertfordshire, offering a variety of habitats and supporting some fascinating plants and animals including birds and insects characteristic of swamp and fen. It is managed by Three Rivers District Council and the Countryside Management Service, with the help of The Friends of The Withey Beds (who welcome new members).
“Withey Bed” is an old English term used to describe the growing of different species of willow for coppicing. Such beds formed an important part of local village economies, supplying poles for basketwork, thatching, firewood and many other uses.
Today, The Withey Beds is still managed using traditional techniques. The rotational coppicing of willow preserves the character of the site, and grazing with cattle, or cutting and removing vegetation within the field, help to halt encroaching scrub, and allow wildlife to continue to flourish.
UPDATE – BOARDWALK CURRENTLY CLOSED
Spring 2025 – We regret to inform members and visitors that the Withey Beds boardwalk remains closed due to a fallen tree damaging access at the western end of the structure. The FoWB management team are in discussions with Three Rivers District Council regarding repairs and we will update this site as we get more information.
UPDATE:
Friends,
Can you join the Withey Beds Boardwalk Council update?
When: Tuesday 24 June @ 15:00
Where: Council offices – Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth WD3 1RL and online [joining details to follow]
The council will share an update on the proposal to reopen the Withey Beds boardwalk, which has remained closed since a tree fell on it. While the tree has been removed and some repairs carried out further work is needed to the access bridges and so the boardwalk remains inaccessible.
At the FoWB AGM on 28 April, the council proposed reopening an 80m section at the western end and removing the c. 220m eastern section. The Council cited funding limitations as the reason why the whole boardwalk could not be reopened noting that the eastern portion requires work to make it safe.
During the meeting, it emerged that the council mistakenly believed the eastern section was frequently underwater and therefore unusable the FoWB Committee clarified that this has happened only very occasionally.
The Committee supports the repair of the 80m section but has asked that the eastern portion remain in place so it can be restored when funding becomes available. Removing it now would mean extra costs and makes future reinstatement unlikely. The Council have further suggested removal would benefit local wildlife. The Committee has seen no evidence that current visitor activity harms the area’s flora or fauna and feel that the removal of most of the boardwalk would significantly damage the interest and enjoyment of visitors.
We encourage Friends to attend the meeting and support what we believe is a balanced, practical approach to restoring the boardwalk.
FoWB Management Team
