North Kent Marshes
The North Kent Marshes are the wet and dry marshlands along the Thames Estuary in the north of Kent, England. They are a protected, environmentally sensitive area recognized by DEFRA and sit in the Thames Gateway planning region. The marshes include the South Thames Estuary and Marshes SSSI, which covers about 5,289 hectares.
The marshes stretch almost continuously from Dartford in the west to west of Whitstable in the east, crossing the districts of Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Swale, and Canterbury. They are protected in local planning documents and are kept for their environmental value. The area also acts as an emergency natural flood barrier for London.
Geographically, most of northern Kent has been marshland for thousands of years. The coastline includes some steeper gravel beaches and cliffs near Whitstable and Herne Bay. The marshes extend about 35 miles (56 km) and reach 1–2 miles (1.6–3.2 km) inland, with towns such as Dartford, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Sittingbourne and Faversham along the area. The Saxon Shore Way runs along the coast here and on to Hastings.
The marshes are one of Europe’s most important natural wetlands and are carefully watched by local landowners and wildlife groups. The RSPB says up to 300,000 migratory birds use the Thames mudflats each year on their journeys between the Arctic and Africa. The RSPB has reserves at Cliffe Pools, Northward Hill, High Halstow, Elmley Marshes and Sheppey, while Medway Council runs a riverside park at Gillingham.
A stable water level in the marshes provides an important habitat for water voles. Areas such as Shorne and Higham marshes, parts of Cliffe and Cooling marsh, Allhallows, Grain and Sheppey are noted for their wildlife value.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:59 (CET).