[1][2] It is part of South West London Waterbodies Ramsar site,[3] and Special Protection Area.

[6] This gravel-pit is one of a number of pits in this area formed when deposits of sand and gravel from the floodplain of the nearby Thames were excavated in open cast mining activities.

Following removal of the minerals, any disused pits were allowed to flood with water, and gradually returned to nature.

[7] The site consists of a steep-sided lake and adjoining strips of scrubland and patches of trees.

There are a few areas of rough grassland supporting such species as lesser knapweed, wild carrot, meadow vetchling and common bird's-foot trefoil.