Studying the

Luton Lea

The Luton Lea is the section of the River Lea from Houghton Regis, Lewsey and Leagrave Park to

Luton Hoo Lakes. This guide introduces six sites where schools can easily access the River and/

or its tributaries, provides key information on access and safety along with some suggested

activities at each site.

The River Lea was once a pure chalk stream that was the

centre of town life. It provided clean drinking water to Luton

and London and was the focal point for everything from the

local straw hat making industry to major engineering firms.

However, over time it become degraded, hidden from view in

part of the town and polluted but the River has been making a

good recovery over the last few years as part of a programme to re-naturalise it and reduce the

pollution; and it offers a great opportunity for pupils of all ages to explore their local area, to carry

out field work for geography and science and to find inspiration for art and story- telling. Pupils

can follow in the footsteps of Romans at Limbury Meadows; look for artefacts on Luton’s 19th

Century ‘beach’; study forces at Luton’s own suspension bridge in Wardown Park; and look for

signs of ‘Ratty’ the rare and elusive Water Vole which is doing well on the Luton Lea.

The River’s Source The River Lea rises at three points, all in public parks: Houghton Hall Brook in Houghton Hall Park,

Houghton Regis; Lewsey Brook in Lewsey Park, Luton; and Five Springs in Leagrave Park, Luton.

Tradition suggests that there are five springs at this location, where the water seeps up from below

the ground. It is not easy to count five springs today, but there are a number of interlocking pools

filled by the rising waters which then trickle into a little channel – the start of the River Lea. The

area is known as Wellhead, another name for the source of a river. A secondary source to the

north-west of the park feeds the Sundon Brook, which joins the Lea just downstream at Rotten

Corner.

The Tributaries. As the River Lea starts its journey to the Thames, it is joined by other tributary streams. Before

leaving Leagrave Park it is met by the Lewsey Brook, which rises in Lewsey Park and is itself first

joined by the Houghton Brook from Houghton Regis. At Limbury the Lea is joined by the Cats

Brook or Catch Brook, which rises in a garden in Icknield Way. Finally it is met by the Riddy Brook

from Cowslip Meadow which joins the Lea under the A6 at Austin Road.

The River's Course In Leagrave Park, the river rises in the fragile wetland habitat of Leagrave

Marsh, then passes through the wooded area of Rotten Corner and then on

through an area once known as Blockers’ seaside, popular with hat industry

workers due to the sandy riverside ‘beach’. From here, the river flows

alongside part of the Icknield Way Path, the oldest roadway in Britain running

for some 105 miles from Buckinghamshire to Norfolk; through Fallowfield, a

County Wildlife Site; and alongside the A6 and into Wardown Park where it

feeds Wardown Lake. The Park here is also home to Wardown Museum

exhibiting permanent and rotating displays about the history of the town and the industry surrounding the

river. In the town centre, the majority of the River is hidden from view, running in culverts underneath the

main town library and the Mall. From St Mary’s Road roundabout it flows unculverted and can next be seen

along the edge of Manor Road Park before then running alongside the Vauxhall Recreation Club and into

Luton Hoo Lakes. From here it runs through Hertfordshire and into the Lea/ Lee Valley it then passes

through the Olympic Park at Stratford before join the Thames at Bow Creek opposite the 02 Arena.

Further information

Ideas and resources for education projects focusing on pollution and monitoring the River can be

found at:- http://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/east/pages/river-lea-education-resources-east

An internet search will provide sources for further information about the River and its history , e.g.

http://river-lea.co.uk/

An informative walk leaflet with history and information about walking the Luton Lea. http://www.travelluton.co.uk/downloads/lea_valley_walk_July_2013.pdf

Ideas for activities based around river studies

Activity

EYFS KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5

Using map & aerial photos to locate the river

Comparing the river environment to the school environment

Making a map to the river

River dipping for invertebrates Testing water samples

River fieldwork skills - measure water velocity and create a cross-section of the river bed to identify erosion patterns.

Identify plant species in river and map distribution

Survey marginal vegetation including invasive species - identification and distribution

Survey animal life - mammal tracking and mini beasts survey Plant survey of grassland using quadrats and transects

Tree health survey of trees on and around the river bank

River management case study

How to look after and protect the river environment

Curriculum links

Key Stage 1 and 2 Science

Animals including humans - identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores

Living things and their habitats - identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats

identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other

Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.

Recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living

things in their local and wider environment Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a

simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food. Construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey. Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and

that adaptation may lead to evolution.

Key stage 1 and 2 Geography

Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.

Key Stage 3 and 4 Geography

Human and Physical Geography – to understand how human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes

Geographical skills and fieldwork - use fieldwork in contrasting locations to collect, analyse and draw conclusions from geographical data, using multiple sources of increasingly complex information.

Key Stage 4 Science

Ecosystems - methods of identifying species and measuring distribution, frequency and abundance of species within a habitat

Ecosystems - some

Reducing risks on field trips

Using the environment for educational purposes is a well-established practice, but the teacher or

group leader has special responsibilities as regards safety, respect for the interests of others and

the conservation of the areas used. This information is an introduction only and does not replace

any guidelines provided by your school, the Local Education Authority or your group organisation.

SAFETY

Proper planning, including a visit beforehand, good supervision and clear instructions for the group

will ensure that there is little chance of any unforeseen incident occurring. Remember, the main

purposes of fieldwork are to inspire, learn, do, experience and contemplate. Fieldwork should not

be confused with outdoor activities that offer a physical challenge. There are unlikely to be any

very hazardous situations to deal with, but leaders cannot afford to be complacent, especially

when working in water environments. So:

Visit the site beforehand to identify any potential problems

Check the insurance requirements and any special safety procedures required by the school,

Local Education Authority or group organisation

Check if you need parental permission for the study

Discuss the project with the group carefully and agree the standards of work and behaviour

expected

Ensure that the group comes properly clothed for the activity and the time of year. If access to the

water is planned they should all wear wellies and bring dry socks and shoes to change into.

Take a First Aid Kit to cope with any minor accidents and someone who knows how to use it

Leave details of the fieldwork excursion with an appropriate person. Inform them when you leave

and tell them when you expect to return

Check the depth of any water before venturing into it. Avoid steep banks, turbulent water, soft mud

and places where it is impossible to see the bottom. Avoid swollen rivers or streams. If in doubt,

stay out!

Stay close to the bank

Be especially aware of Weil’s Disease.

WEILS DISEASE : WATER-BASED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Weil’s disease is a bacterial infection carried in rats' urine which contaminates water and wet river

banks. The bacteria do not survive for long in dry conditions. It can occur in any water, including

swift streams and rivers, but the likelihood of becoming infected is greater from stagnant or slow-

moving waterways. The disease itself is relatively rare, thus overall risk of contracting it is small.

However, it can be a serious illness requiring hospital treatment and can lead to kidney or liver

failure, and so it is important that all reasonable precautions to avoid infection should be taken.

Pupils who have engaged in water-based activities who fall ill with the symptoms, particularly from

three to nineteen days following, should be urged to see their doctor immediately. The most

common symptoms are a temperature, a flu-like illness and joint and muscle pains. The individual

should inform his/her doctor of the activities in which he/she has been involved.

The following action is therefore recommended:

1. Activities where children are repeatedly immersed in stagnant or slow-moving water, should be

avoided.

2. Washing or showering after water-based activities is desirable.

3. Minor scratches on exposed parts of the body should be covered with waterproof plasters. Any

cuts or grazes sustained during activities in water should be immediately disinfected and covered

by a waterproof plaster before re-exposure to the water (using disinfectant and dressings which

must be taken to the activity site by the supervisor).

4. Footwear should be worn to avoid cutting feet.

5. If staff or pupils develop a flu-like illness after water-based outdoor activities, they should

consult their GP as early as possible.

The precautionary measures detailed above will reduce the risk of infection to a degree where it is

acceptable. A sample risk assessment for a visit to the River and for carrying out sampling is

available as a separate appendix .

(sources for Reducing Risk sections include Cornwall Rivers Project )

1. Houghton Brook, Houghton Regis

2. Lewsey Brook, Lewsey Park

3. River Lea, Leagrave Park

4. River Lea, Limbury Meadows

5. River Lea, Riverside & Wardown Park

6. River Lea, Manor Park NB: locations are approx. please check site details on site information pages.

Accessible places for river studies along the Luton Lea.

Brook heads east to enter the main River

The Brook or River can be seen on this image as follow an old hedgerow of mature trees and shrubs.

Houghton Hall Park

Houghton Brook

Access to stream bed possible close to where the Brook rises. Viewed by some as the true

source of the River Lea. The watercourse rises In Houghton Hall Park and is joined by other small brooks before joining flowing into Lewsey Brook and onto the main river at Leagrave Park. The Brook is most easily accessed in the Houghton Hall Park behind the Sports Pavilion where at the present time (Sept 2016) it is very shallow and silted. There are however plans to desilt the streambed and add river washed gravel.

Good for - observations of a watercourse in a shady wooded habitats. Water samples can easily be collected and the impact of silting on the flow can be considered. The Park also offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, old hedgerows and mature woodland.

The source of the Brook/ River

OS Central Site Grid Ref - TL 0243 2363

Houghton Brook

Viewed by some as the true source of the River Lea. The watercourse rises In Houghton Hall Park and is joined by other small brooks before joining flowing into Lewsey Brook and onto the main river at Leagrave Park. The Brook is most easily accessed in the Houghton Hall Park behind the Sports Pavilion where at the present time (Sept 2016) it is very shallow and silted. There are however plans to desilt the streambed and add river washed gravel.

Good for - observations of a watercourse in a shady wooded habitats. Water samples can easily be collected and the impact of silting on the flow can be considered. The Park also offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, old hedgerows and mature woodland.

Access to stream bed possible close to where the Brook rises.

The Brook or River can be seen on this image as follow an old hedgerow of mature trees and shrubs.

OS Central Site Grid Ref - TL 0243 2363

Brook heads east to enter the main River

The source of the Brook/ River

Lewsey Brook

Lewsey Brook, a minor tributary of the River Lea is a temporal water course, supplied by surface water from farmland and the nearby Lewsey housing estate . During periods of very dry weather parts of the Brook may be completely dry so checking in advance of visits is advisable.

Good for - observations of a temporal watercourse, the effects of seasonal flooding; & habitats around the watercourse. The Park offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, marsh, old hedgerows and small copses of trees.

Lewsey Park

Old hedgerows

Access to stream bed possible with care

Brook heads east to enter the River Lea.

Brook rises via a culvert

OS Central Site Grid Ref. TL 0459 2355

The Brook in early spring

Lewsey Brook Access to stream bed possible with care

Lewsey Brook, a minor tributary of the River Lea is a temporal water course, supplied by surface water from farmland and the nearby Lewsey housing estate . During periods of very dry weather parts of the Brook may be completely dry so checking in advance of visits is advisable.

Good for - observations of a temporal watercourse, the effects of seasonal flooding; & habitats around the watercourse. The Park offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, marsh, old hedgerows and small copses of trees.

Brook rises via a culvert

The Brook in early spring

OS Central Site Grid Ref. TL 0459 2355

Old hedgerows

Brook heads east to enter the River Lea.

Leagrave Park

Lewsey Brook - this feeds the main river (Houghton Brook feeds into this Brook just west of the railway line)

Good for - Observation of tributary, meander, source, natural .v. man-made features, flow, erosion, transportation and deposition. Sampling of aquatic invertebrates & assessing turbidity. The Park offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, marsh, old hedgerows and mature woodland. Also good for history studies with its Luton Hatters associations and the Neolithic earthwork, Waluud’s Bank.

Sundon Brook - just before it feeds the main river. Access to water is possible with care by the footbridge. Water depth is generally 20-50cm.

‘Well Head’ or ‘Five Springs’ is said to be the true source of the River Lea from where it flows 68Km south to join the Thames in London. This section of the Luton Lea is relatively wide and its a great place to observe many features of a river landscape. Access to the water is difficult however due to vegetation and siltation but observations can be carried out from the footbridges. NB: there is a height barrier in place at the Sundon Park Rd car park.

OS central site Grid Ref. - TL 0592 2471

The main river

Leagrave Park

Good for - Observation of tributary, meander, source, natural .v. man-made features, flow, erosion, transportation and deposition. Sampling of aquatic invertebrates & assessing turbidity. The Park offers a variety of other habitats such as meadow, marsh, old hedgerows and mature woodland. Also good for history studies with its Luton Hatters associations and the Neolithic earthwork, Waluud’s Bank.

‘Well Head’ or ‘Five Springs’ is said to be the true source of the River Lea from where it flows 68Km south to join the Thames in London. This section of the Luton Lea is relatively wide and its a great place to observe many features of a river landscape. Access to the water is difficult however due to vegetation and siltation but observations can be carried out from the footbridges. NB: there is a height barrier in place at the Sundon Park Rd car park.

OS central site Grid Ref. - TL 0592 2471

The main river

Lewsey Brook - this feeds the main river (Houghton Brook feeds into this Brook just west of the railway line)

Sundon Brook - just before it feeds the main river. Access to water is possible with care by the footbridge. Water depth is generally 20-50cm.

OS Central Site Grid Ref. - TL 0743 2441

Catbrook feeds the main river and is a great place to easily & safely access the stream bed i.e. to have a paddle!

Limbury Meadows

Good for - Observation of tributary, flow, aquatic plants, invertebrates & fish and for assessing turbidity by collecting water samples from the bridges. The area has a variety of other habitats such as meadow, old hedgerows and mature trees.

The River is quite hard to see as it flows through Limbury Meadows as the riverside and marginal vegetation is quite dense. Good views can however be obtained from the bridges, and its a great place to observe the River in a more natural habitat. If driving to the site considerate parking on the surrounding residential streets is possible.

The River as seen from Runfold Ave bridge.

Limbury Meadows The River is quite hard to see as it flows through Limbury Meadows as the riverside and marginal vegetation is quite dense. Good views can however be obtained from the bridges, and its a great place to observe the River in a more natural habitat. If driving to the site considerate parking on the surrounding residential streets is possible.

Catbrook feeds the main river and is a great place to easily & safely access the stream bed i.e. to have a paddle!

The River as seen from Runfold Ave bridge.

Good for - Observation of tributary, flow, aquatic plants, invertebrates & fish and for assessing turbidity by collecting water samples from the bridges. The area has a variety of other habitats such as meadow, old hedgerows and mature trees.

OS Central Site Grid Ref. - TL 0743 2441

Wardown & Riverside Park Wardown Park - South of Stockingstone Road (A5228) the River meanders and then vanishes into a tunnel before re-emerging in Wardown Park where it feeds into the Lake. At the south end of the Lake the River is culverted as it heads alongside the A6 and towards a tunnel beneath the Mall. Water collection around the Lake is not advised due to the likelihood of bacterial contamination of the water from bird excreta. Parking is available at Wardown Museum car park.

Good for - Observation of natural .v. man-made features, sampling of aquatic invertebrates & assessing turbidity, and observing a variety of habitats.

The main river

Riverside Park - South of Kingsdown Ave the River winds it way south through this wilder park. Access into the River itself is not possible but monitoring and observations can be carried out from footbridges. Riverside vegetation is quite lush, therefore viewing the watercourse is more difficult but wildlife sightings are more likely as a result of the habitats and cover available .

OS central Grid Ref. TL 0884 2318

Manor Park OS Central Site Grid Ref. - TL 0981 2093

Good for - Observation of flow and invasive species; assessing turbidity and comparing natural .v. man-made features. The area has some other habitats such as mature trees. There is a small area of secondary woodland adjacent to Manor Road however use of this habitat is not recommended due to potential biological hazards .

At the present time (09/16)* the River is very easily accessible here in Manor Park as it re-emerges after travelling underground through the town centre. This is the River in a very un-natural state as it is culverted and flows over a concrete bed. This does however make for easy access and is a great place to collect samples and to test out the flow rate. Pay & display street parking is easily available if driving to the site. *Future proposals may see the River returned to a more natural state at this point.

Steps make the River easily accessible

Access via steps

Manor Park OS Central Site Grid Ref. - TL 0981 2093

At the present time (09/16)* the River is very easily accessible here in Manor Park as it re-emerges after travelling underground through the town centre. This is the River in a very un-natural state as it is culverted and flows over a concrete bed. This does however make for easy access and is a great place to collect samples and to test out the flow rate. Pay & display street parking is easily available if driving to the site. *Future proposals may see the River returned to a more natural state at this point.

Good for - Observation of flow and invasive species; assessing turbidity and comparing natural .v. man-made features. The area has some other habitats such as mature trees. There is a small area of secondary woodland adjacent to Manor Road however use of this habitat is not recommended due to potential biological hazards .

Steps make the River easily accessible