It’s hard to imagine flooding being a problem with the dry summer we’re having, but for many years in an area of West London it was a problem that was getting out of hand.
In a corner of Ealing, streets used to flood, and even the local tube station, Greenford, was impacted by the water.
The local authority had a tricky and potentially very costly problem to solve, but that’s when they turned to nature’s engineer, the humble beaver.
The Ealing Beaver Project
In 2023, a family of beavers was moved into an area called Paradise Fields in Ealing, thanks to Sean McCormack, a vet and conservationist on the project.
Since their reintroduction to the area, the project has seen significant success. Beavers like to dam, and they’ve slowed the flow of water. In just their second winter in their new home, there was no flooding for the first time in a decade.
The beavers’ work has even caught the attention of the Mayor of London:
About 400 years ago, wild beavers actually went extinct in the UK, but beaver reintroductions are starting to become more popular due to their amazing engineering skills.
Visiting the beavers
The Ealing Beaver Project invites you to explore the area and Seniz Mustafa, Urban Beaver Officer, shared on ITV News that the best time to spot the beavers is an hour before sunset, either from the platform or the beaver crossing. She said if you sit and stay quiet, there’s a good chance of spotting them.
You can also explore Paradise Fields through a self-guided audio tour, where the project lead Sean McCormack will talk you through a 45-minute route through the area. All you need to do is download the VoiceMap app and head to the start location, which is the underpass entrance to Paradise Fields in Westway Cross Retail Park.
You can find out more information about the tours on the Ealing Beaver Project’s official website.
If you’re looking for something fun, the site is hosting a Big Gay Beaver Day on 19 September, which is described as “a joyful fundraiser celebrating beavers, nature, and the queer community.” The day will include beaver tours, drag performances, DJ sets and food and drink.
