Hoo Peninsula North Kent Marshes Cliffe Woods Higham Charles Dickens Kent UK

RSPB Cliffe Pools & Northward Hill Nature Reserves

Cliffe Pools is a relatively new RSPB reserve situated where the River Thames transforms into estuary. The packed blue lagoons here are a haven for waterbirds particularly wading birds.

Spring and Autumn are peak migration periods when you can view huge flocks of ducks, grebes, hen arriers and various birds of prey. Summers is breeding time for redshanks, avocets and common terns. For more information on visitor facilities at Cliffe Pools and directions and events see the RSPB weblink right for details. RSPB Cliffe Pools Reserve. Tel. 01634 222480 for details.

Also in the Hoo Peninsula area sits the RSPB Reserve Northward Hill overlooking the Thames Marshes. On-site is a spectacular bluebell wood and the reserve is particularly popular with herons. One of the largest of the UK colonies of egrets is here. Tel. 01634 222480 for details.

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Higham & Charles Dickens at Gads Hill Place

Higham and Strood are perfectly placed for easy access into the popular Medway towns of Rochester and Chatham and the RSPB reserves on the Hoo Peninsula.

Higham's links with Charles Dickens are particularly focused around his final home Gads Hill Place. dickens came to live here in 1856 and indeed died at Gads in 1870.

Gads is currently an independent school so public access is limited. The school has recently been working with English Heritage to improve access. Read more about Higham's history and links to Charles Dickens via the Higham Community weblink right.

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Temple Manor at Strood

The 13th century Knighs Templar house - Temple Manor at Strood is not to be missed. The house was used by knights as a lodging and to refresh their horses before heading off to the Crusades.

Additional brick extensions were added in the 17th century, with older highlights including the undercroft with original vaulted ceiling plus the large hall.

Temple Manor, Knight Road, Strood, Kent ME2 2AH. Admission free open 1 April to 31 Octobeer Saturdays and Sundays only from 11am to 3pm.

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