Railway Fields Nature Reserve started out as a British Rail goods depot. In 1967 this was closed and left unoccupied until the local council bought it in 1975. After a period of being used for a community centre, in 1986, the site started its transition to becoming a haven for local wildlife and an educational centre. In 1990 it secured status as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and continues to be the one of the smallest in London; at two acres.