Description:

Romney Marsh Visitor Centre is the newest centre run by Kent Wildlife Trust. Opened in spring 2004, the centre has been designed using sustainable building techniques including rendered straw bale walls and a green roof. Situated adjacent to the A259, just east of New Romney, we expect the centre to become a popular tourist attraction as well as a resource for local people.

The Romney Warren Project, of which the new centre is just one element, is a partnership between Shepway District Council, Romney Warren Charitable Trust, Nelson Park Gardens and Shepway Volunteer Centre , Romney Marsh Countryside Project and Kent Wildlife Trust.

An 11 hectare Country Park has been created on land which includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest, but which has also been used for gravel extraction, landfill and as a transport depot. Wildlife conservation interest includes the dune grassland and seasonal ponds which hold nationally important populations of great crested newts and diving beetles. Rare medicinal leeches, dragonflies and spiders have also been found.

Part of the site is used by Nelson Park Gardens and Shepway Volunteer Centre as a horticultural and landscaping training scheme for adults from local care homes and the unemployed; their produce is then sold at the Visitor Centre. Romney Marsh Countryside Project also assist with the conservation management and events on site.

The centre provides facilities for visitors to the Country Park including a Heritage exhibition, information about the local area, toilets and refreshments. The exhibition features the natural and social evolution of Romney Marsh. It will be THE place to learn about the history of the Marsh – and about the ways in which local people can help ensure a bright future for themselves and their environment.