Hedgecourt Lake: SSSI condition summary

Hedgecourt Lake is a shallow lake located in the upper reaches of the Eden Brook a tributary of the River Medway. The lake, which has a surface area of approximately 17 ha, is entirely artificial, created and altered over the centuries to provide a head of water for Hedgecourt Watermill which was located below the dam wall on Eden Brook. The age of the lake is uncertain, but there is evidence of a watermill in this area since 1562 (Felbridge & District History Group 2004), suggesting it to have been in existence for at least 500 years