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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 after heavy rain, including sections of the path.

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

PRINTMAKING EVENT SEPTEMBER 25TH

Ever wanted to try printmaking? Now’s your chance!

Join the creative team from Rock Paper Scissors to have a go at monoprinting, inspired by the plants and animals of Hambrook Marshes. You’ll be shown the printing basics and will create an amazing image to take home.

We’re running 4 mini-workshops on Sunday September 25th, suitable for adults and children aged 5 and over. Tickets are £4, bookable here. We hope to see you there!

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 OCTOBER

Redwing
Stonechat
Stonechat
Tufted duck

latest news

  • OCTOBER NATURE NOTES
    A blackcap on October 3rd provided what may well be the last link with summer, memories of which are now being pushed out by the first winter snipe on the 12th, and the first little grebe on the river on…
  • POND CLEARING
    Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership (KSCP) volunteers spent a day raking up hay in the meadow and removing bulrushes from a pond in the boardwalk field. It can quickly choke shallow, open water, leaving nowhere for dragonflies to lay their eggs or…
  • DROUGHT CONTINUES
    The drought in England may last well into next year, warns the National Drought Group (NDG), made up of government agencies, water companies, farming and environmental groups. Rainfall returned to normal in September, but not enough to kick-start the process of recharging…
  • SEPTEMBER NATURE NOTES
    September was a quiet month. The female tufted duck was still on the river on September 25th, but still no sign of her offspring, so all of them have probably been predated. Such outcomes seem sad, but nature is remarkably prodigal and,…
  • MONOPRINTING ON THE MARSHES
    On 25th September Liz and Vicky from the Rock Paper Scissors shop in Canterbury held five short outdoor sessions on monoprinting for a total of twenty people. Natural material collected on the Marshes was inked in a simple printing press and…
  • WORLD RIVERS DAY 2022
    World Rivers Day is an annual celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an…
  • SECOND WILLOW WEAVING WORKSHOP
    Following the success of August’s session, Nicola Jane Claxton put on another workshop for Hambrook volunteers on September 9th, and the photo shows proud participants with the results of their labours. Second from left is Mike Sole, Lib Dem councillor…