[3][4] This large and shallow lake, fed by Fleet Brook,[5] is surrounded by reed beds, alder carr and oak and birch woodland.

The lake has a rich aquatic flora and fauna, including large populations of reed warblers and other wetland birds.

Shortly afterwards, the London and Southampton Railway bought the pond for £50 as it stood in the way of their line, and built an embankment across the northern end.

During the Second World War, the pond was drained, to make the area less visible to enemy aircraft, but it was refilled in 1947, and planted with reeds.

The pond became one of the first SSSIs in Hampshire in 1951, and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, duly re-registered, but to omit the portion north of the embankment.