welcome

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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.

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 APRIL

Redwing
Chiffchaff
Chiffchaff
Blackcap

latest news

  • MARCH NATURE NOTES
    Hanging on to the coat tails of winter, 12 tufted duck were still bobbing on Tonford Lake on the 28th, and on the same day a single meadow pipit was present, while a week earlier eight redwings had flown out…
  • FEBRUARY NATURE NOTES
    After something of a hiatus in bird activity, February saw rather more of interest: partial flooding of the marsh at times through the month led to as many as 41 black-headed gulls, 14 mallard, three herring gulls, a common gull…
  • JANUARY NATURE NOTES
    The good news is that a pair of stonechats have returned to the Marshes and are now present in Tonford Field. My thanks to Stephen Brooks for alerting me to their presence. Stonechats tend to bond quite strongly and, having…
  • DECEMBER NATURE NOTES
    With much of the floodwater having drained away, far less use was made of the Marshes by birds, with just four black-headed gulls and 15 mallard on the 5th. A dead swan, still in its beige juvenile plumage, was found…
  • NOVEMBER NATURE NOTES
    Highlight of the month was the appearance of a single great white egret on Tonford Lake, adjoining Hambrook. First reported by a riverside resident on 12th, and present at times until at least 16th, this is the 109th species to…
  • OCTOBER NATURE NOTES
    Winter’s wizened fingers crept along the ditches and fencelines, marked by the occasional ground frost, mist droplets sparkling on cobwebs, the first skylarks flying over as they fled southwards in search of milder conditions, and up to ten tufted ducks…
  • SEPTEMBER NATURE NOTES
    The mute swan family of two solicitous parents and seven young went missing for much of the month, but all nine stately birds eventually reappeared safely. The parakeet is still around, though usually on the Wincheap side of the river,…