The marshes were extensively drained from Medieval times onwards, and rubble was dumped here from buildings damaged by air raids during World War II, raising the level of the ground.

In the 9th century, it formed a part of the Danelaw boundary and reputedly, King Alfred stranded an invading Viking fleet here in 895 AD.

The natural watercourse passes to the east over the Middlesex Filter Beds Weir, just below Lea Bridge Road.

A new watermill was established on the Crown land of the marshes by Prince Rupert for an improved method of boring guns, however the secret died with him in 1682 and the enterprise collapsed.

[3] At the end of the 19th century Hackney suffered from increased demand for building land, both for housing and to extend the factories in Homerton.

The 337 acres (1.36 km2) of marshes were finally preserved by the London County Council in 1890, by purchasing the rights and landowners' interests for £75,000.

[5] The LCC undertook further flood prevention, straightening some of the bends in the River by introducing four 'cuts', the old channels being retained to form islands.

Originally built as part of a Lea fishery scheme, the pub is now long gone but a bridge remains, rebuilt to supply anti-aircraft batteries during World War II.

Dick Turpin[7] was a constant guest at the "White House," or "Tyler's Ferry," near Joe Sowter's cock-pit at Temple Mills; and few police-officers were bold enough to approach the spot.

35.5 acres (144,000 m2) were taken in 1915 to build the 'National Projectile Factory'; after World War I, in 1922 this site was used to create the Mabley Green recreation ground.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, a camping site was situated at the north end of the Marshes, adjacent to Cow Bridge, at one point branded as Tent City.

[9][10] The Lesney die cast model factory was built on the Homerton side of the Lee Navigation in the 1940s, having success for many years with their Matchbox brand.

This caused some controversy with local residents' groups,[14][15] who expressed concerns that East Marsh was to be tarmacked and used as a disabled coach park for the games.

Oh it really is a wery pretty gardenAnd Chingford to the eastward could be seen;'Wiv a ladder and some glasses,You could see to 'Ackney Marshes,If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between.The area is not well served by public rail transport, although has many bus services.