Watercress beds

The watercress beds at Ewelme run almost the whole length of the village, about three-quarters of a mile, and were established in the late 19th century. At their peak they were one of the main watercress producers in England, sending their crop all over the country. Sadly production ceased to be viable in the 1980s and the beds closed in 1988. Now they are gradually being restored as a unique nature reserve, although there wasn't much to see on a dark damp day at the end of December.