The Broadwater Lake needs your help!
Broadwater Lake is a stunning body of water that runs parallel to the River Thames, stretching almost a mile in length from Weybridge to Walton-on-Thames.
It boasts a fascinating history dating back to Tudor times, originally forming part of Henry VIII’s grounds.
In recent years, the Lake has fallen into a state of serious disrepair – banks are crumbling away and silt, debris, rubbish and fallen trees need clearing.
We have a broad vision to restore the Lake to its former glory; to create a haven for plants and wildlife to thrive in; most importantly, to provide a beautiful natural space for everybody in our community to enjoy.
Drone footage of the Broadwater lake this week
The current 2026 heatwave and drought are having a devastating effect on wildlife, especially around drying ponds and lakes. Broadwater Lake is no different. It is probably the worst year ever—partly due to climate change, but also because of decades of neglect, possibly longer.
The lake was dug out in the 1750s as part of a landscaped garden centred on a private estate, which was located on the current site of the Oatlands Park Hotel. That estate was broken up in the middle of the nineteenth century, and the lake and banksides were parcelled off in sales. There has been no single owner or manager since around 1850; that fact is one part of the challenge.
Bankside vegetation deposits old plant material each year—including dead leaves, falling branches, and even trees themselves—leading to a massive build-up of silt.
Currently, silt makes up perhaps 90% of the lake, but it still occupies around two-thirds of it when the water is at its spring levels. A few valiant attempts over the years by various parties have dug out some silt, cleared some bankside vegetation, and pulled debris from the lake. But it is a very big lake: a mile long and up to 100 metres wide.
Additionally, a small overflow has developed into a major leak near the Walton end (under the deteriorating bridge) that drains significant water from the lake each year. We have recently won a large grant from Elmbridge BC to fix it once we get Surrey County Council Flood Department approval (it is actually on Bannatyne Health Club & Spa Weybridge land and we have their permission).
A friend of the Society has taken drone videos to record the current shocking state of Broadwater Lake. The video flies from near the middle, westwards, up to the wall of reeds and trees blocking the lake section belonging to St George's Weybridge, and right to the very end belonging to Elmbridge BC itself. The whole lake is likely to resemble this western, Weybridge end without concerted pressure on stakeholders to protect it.
Our Society owns none of it but is keen to catalyse efforts to save it and conserve the unique character of the lake and the wider Broadwater area.
A video of the Broadwater Lake from 2018
In 2018, the BCS successfully secured funds for a survey to assess the condition of the Lake. The money was granted from Elmbridge Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund, for a costed survey.
The survey has now been carried out and has reported on the following:
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the cost of removing the silt
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all repairs required to the inlet/outlet pipes
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the banks’ subsidence
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the state of the weir
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how to dredge the Lake of silt and fallen trees
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how to restore reed beds for wildlife to flourish
If we don't take action soon, the whole lake will look like it does beside St Georges School, and it will be destroyed.
You can read the full report HERE.