Long Lake

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Hertfordshire St. Albans

England

Long Lake

Shenley Lane, London Colney Credit: David Howard

Long Lake, located in Hertfordshire, is a prominent freshwater marsh that offers a serene and picturesque setting. Spanning approximately 50 acres, the lake is an exceptional example of a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, attracting both wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Surrounded by lush greenery and bordered by reeds and tall grasses, Long Lake is a haven for various bird species, including herons, ducks, and swans, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. The lake's calm waters provide an ideal habitat for an array of aquatic life, such as fish, frogs, and water insects.

The lake's water is sourced primarily from rainfall and underground springs, ensuring a constant supply of fresh water throughout the year. The lake's depth varies, with some areas reaching up to 10 feet, providing ample opportunities for water activities such as fishing and boating.

Long Lake is also home to a variety of plant species, including water lilies, reed beds, and submerged aquatic plants. These plants not only enhance the lake's aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem by providing essential habitat and food sources for the resident wildlife.

Visitors to Long Lake can enjoy a leisurely stroll along its well-maintained footpaths, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The lake is equipped with several seating areas and picnic spots, allowing visitors to relax and immerse themselves in the tranquility of the surroundings.

Long Lake, with its abundant wildlife, diverse plant life, and serene atmosphere, is a cherished natural gem in Hertfordshire, providing a peaceful retreat for both locals and visitors seeking a connection with nature.

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Long Lake Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.717364/-0.29446501 or Grid Reference TL1703. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shenley Lane, London Colney

David Howard

Shenley Lane, London Colney

David Howard

Entering London Colney on Shenley Lane

London Colney is on the River Colne just behind this spot.

David Howard

Cafe on Shenley Lane, London Colney

By the River Colne

David Howard

River Colne

The River Colne in London Colney. In the foreground is the original ford across the river, superseded in 1774 when the adjacent road bridge was built.

Ian Capper

River Colne

The River Colne in London Colney, at the site of the original ford across the river, superseded in 1774 when the adjacent road bridge was built. In the left background are Colne House (c.1800) and the adjacent Riverside Cottage (early - mid 19th Century) and in the right background is Waterside House (early 18th Century). All three are grade II listed - see Link

Link

and Link

respectively.

Ian Capper

Telford's Bridge

Bridge over the River Colne in London Colney, once on the A6 from St Albans to London until bypassed by the London Colney Bypass (now the A1081) in 1959. The plaque on the far left (see TL1803 : Plaque, Telford's Bridge for close up) states that it was built c.1775 (other sources give a year of 1774) and restored in 1998. Although the name might seem to point to Thomas Telford as the designer/builder, the fact that he was born in 1757 and so would have been only 17 or 18 at the time of building, and still serving his apprenticeship in his native Scotland, it is considered extremely unlikely that it was in fact his work. Grade II listed - see Link

Ian Capper

Plaque, Telford's Bridge

Plaque on the Telford's Bridge (see TL1803 : Telford's Bridge). It reads "Telfords Bridge Built c 1775 Restored 1998".

Ian Capper

Telford's Bridge

Bridge over the River Colne in London Colney, once on the A6 from St Albans to London until bypassed by the London Colney Bypass (now the A1081) in 1959. A plaque on the other side of the bridge (see TL1803 : Plaque, Telford's Bridge) states that it was built c.1775 (other sources give a year of 1774) and restored in 1998. Although the name might seem to point to Thomas Telford as the designer/builder, the fact that he was born in 1757 and so would have been only 17 or 18 at the time of building, and still serving his apprenticeship in his native Scotland, it is considered extremely unlikely that it was in fact his work. Grade II listed - see Link

Ian Capper

Telford's Bridge

Daffodils on the approach to Telford's Bridge over the River Colne in London Colney, once on the A6 from St Albans to London until bypassed by the London Colney Bypass (now the A1081) in 1959. A plaque on the other side of the bridge (see TL1803 : Plaque, Telford's Bridge) states that it was built c.1775 (other sources give a year of 1774) and restored in 1998. Although the name might seem to point to Thomas Telford as the designer/builder, the fact that he was born in 1757 and so would have been only 17 or 18 at the time of building, and still serving his apprenticeship in his native Scotland, it is considered extremely unlikely that it was in fact his work. Grade II listed - see Link

Ian Capper

Telford's Bridge

Looking towards Telford's Bridge over the River Colne in London Colney, once on the A6 from St Albans to London until bypassed by the London Colney Bypass (now the A1081) in 1959. A plaque on the side of the bridge (see TL1803 : Plaque, Telford's Bridge) states that it was built c.1775 (other sources give a year of 1774) and restored in 1998. Although the name might seem to point to Thomas Telford as the designer/builder, the fact that he was born in 1757 and so would have been only 17 or 18 at the time of building, and still serving his apprenticeship in his native Scotland, it is considered extremely unlikely that it was in fact his work. Grade II listed - see Link

. Note the Google Street View car crossing the bridge.

Ian Capper

Post box

EIIR post box with gold painted cypher, sited on the High Street below Telford's Bridge.

Ian Capper

Coal Tax Post no 37

This Coal Tax Post (no 37 on the list linked to below) is alongside High Street, at the northern end of Telford's Bridge. For wider views see TL1803 : Coal Tax Post no 37 and TL1803 : Coal Tax Post no 37.

Ian Capper

Coal Tax Post no 37

At the top of the bank on the left of the photo is a Coal Tax Post (no 37 on the list linked to below), situated alongside High Street, at the northern end of Telford's Bridge (in the background). For a close up of the post see TL1803 : Coal Tax Post no 37.

Ian Capper

Coal Tax Post no 37

At the top of the bank on the right of the photo is a Coal Tax Post (no 37 on the list linked to below), situated alongside High Street, at the northern end of Telford's Bridge. In the background is St Peter's Church. For a close up of the post see TL1803 : Coal Tax Post no 37.

Ian Capper

Loaf

Mr Ignavy

High Street, London Colney, across the North Orbital Road

The houses seen across the road are at the north end of London Colney's High Street, which, before it was severed by the building of the North Orbital Road and other pre-motorway arterial roads, was the old A6 linking Barnet to St Albans.

Christopher Hilton

Footbridge over the Clockwise M25

Officially named the London Orbital and frequently derided as nothing more than a very big car park, the M25 is a 117-mile orbital motorway that encircles London; one of the world's biggest ring roads (Europe's second longest orbital road after the Berliner Ring, which is 122 miles). It is not, however, a continuous loop of motorway as the Dartford Crossing section (comprising the Dartford Tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) over the Thames and its approach roads are designated as the A282. Constructed between 1975 and 1986, the M25 is reputedly the most expensive motorway Britain ever built, costing a total of £909m or roughly £7.5m per mile, but at the time of its planning, the demand for the road was considerably underestimated so that when it was finally completed in 1986, it was already out of date. Demand outstripped capacity within a few years and ever since then it's been very heavily congested. The M25 is one of the UK’s busiest motorways, carrying up to 200,000 vehicles and 10,000 HGVs per day (AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic flow) on the section near to Heathrow Airport. Since its opening in the 1980s, the southern, western and eastern sections have been widened to largely dual four lane (D4M) standard, but much of the motorway retains its dual three lane road (D3M) cross-section as originally built. The M25 was home to England's first Variable Speed Limits on motorways between the A3 and M4 in the early 1990s. Link

cbrd Link

SABRE

David Dixon

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Long Lake is located at Grid Ref: TL1703 (Lat: 51.717364, Lng: -0.29446501)

Administrative County: Hertfordshire

District: St. Albans

Police Authority: Hertfordshire