Northward Hill RSPB Nature Reserve
Northward Hill Nature Reserve on the Hoo Peninsular belongs to RSPB who manage a number of nature reserves across the North Kent Marshes.
Located on the outskirts of High Halstow and Cooling, overlooking the Thames estuary, the reserve has a range of habitats, including reeds, woodland, orchards, bramble scrub, and grassland and grazing marsh.
The woodland is famous for being the UK’s largest heronry with over 150 pairs.
There are almost 250 pairs of grey Heron and Little Egrets nesting in the trees at Northward Hill.
During spring, turtle doves, nightingales and warblers join breeding woodpeckers and tits, and the grasslands come alive with grasshoppers, crickets and spiders.
The reserve also attracts large numbers of dragonflies in late summer and early autumn.
Waymarked trails provide visitors with walks around the reserve and there are several viewpoints with benches. Dogs must be kept under control and are restricted to the footpaths.
You can also explore the surrounding areas on the Hoo Peninsular with a local walking group. For more information about local walking groups, you can visit the Medway Health Walks website.
Easy access information
This park and open space has at least one accessible route but otherwise is considered to be less suitable for visitors with pushchairs and/or wheelchairs.
