Northward Hill RSPB Nature Reserve

Northward Hill Nature Reserve on the Isle of Grain is one of the eight RSPB managed nature reserves across the North Kent Marshes. Located on a ridge 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. In the last decade they have been joined by breeding little egrets. In 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.