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Welcome to Hambrook Marshes: a unique wildlife haven in the city of Canterbury

The beautiful landscape of Canterbury’s biggest green open space is a natural wildlife haven, home to thriving bird life and a wealth of plants and wildflower species. Open all year round, its tranquil riverside paths and wetlands are the perfect way to enjoy nature in the city.  

Visiting hambrook marshes

Hambrook Marshes is close to Canterbury city centre, easy to get to, and open at all times.

NB As a wetland, areas of Hambrook Marshes may be flooded during periods of heavy rain. Wellies are currently strongly advised!

Full information for visitors, including location, travel options, facilities and accessibility.

get involved

Volunteers at work

If you love Hambrook Marshes there are plenty of ways to help out.

Make a donation | Volunteering

about hambrook

Did you know that the land by the River Stour that is now Hambrook Marshes was once a 40 feet deep quarry?

Find out more about the history, and the plants, birds and wildlife that now thrive here.

WILDLIFE TO LOOK OUT FOR IN FEBRUARY

  • Snipe
  • Little grebes
    Little grebe
  • Cormorant
  • Little egret
    Little egret
  • Lapwing
  • Otter

latest news

  • THIRD ARSON ATTACK
    After two devastating arson attacks on the boardwalk on Hambrook Marshes in 2020, the remaining section was set ablaze during the night of February 20th. This section served as a viewing point for the newly created pond, but now only…
  • JANUARY WILDLIFE NOTES
    The greatest excitement of January was the discovery of otter prints in mud beside a small stream. The photo has been shown to two experts (a member of the Environment Agency and a mammalian ecologist), who both confirmed the prints’ identity. There…
  • WINTER PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER
    Congratulations to Francesco Stancato, whose atmospheric shot is the winning entry in the winter edition of our quarterly photography competition! You can see more of Francesco’s photography on facebook or instagram. Thanks to everyone who entered, and be ready to get…
  • DECEMBER WILDLIFE NOTES
    Parts of the Marshes were flooded for much of the month, due to frequent and heavy rain, encouraging gulls to congregate in the fields at times; a group of about 145 black-headed gulls was seen.  The river mostly stayed within…
  • NOVEMBER WILDLIFE NOTES
    Undoubtedly the highlight of the month was a pair of stonechats in Tonford field on the 22nd. This delightful little bird (right) used to be a semi-regular winter visitor, but the areas it favoured depended on what management was being…
  • HI-TECH RUBBISH
    If you notice that the bin by the Wincheap footbridge urgently needs emptying, there’s a new way to report it to the council. The bin now has a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone, which will take…
  • NEW FENCEPOSTS
    A new set of fenceposts has been installed around Tonford field. The old posts were only five years old but a large number were rotting at the base and starting to collapse. The original barbed wire and netting is still…