Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve will be an area of 16 hectares (40 acres) of restored and redeveloped ancient water meadow, situated next to the River Kennet, a renowned chalk stream, and a short stroll from the historic market town of Hungerford.

To make the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve the best space it can be, they need to know what’s important to the people they hope will use it.

People like you.

Please share your thoughts in their short survey, it really does take just a few minutes and will help them to make it a great place for everyone to enjoy.

Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve survey (closes 30 June 2023)

Their Goal

Create a wetland area rich in biodiversity that will help to restore both plant and wildlife, improve the health and wellbeing of visitors and the local community, inform and educate, and contribute to the improved health of the planet.

The improved wetland habitats, biodiversity and local nature recovery, and the associated carbon capture and retention, have far-reaching benefits for the environment, while the provision of the reserve, as a public amenity space, will offer physical health and mental wellbeing benefits to all its visitors.

Currently, the land has been derelict since the 1970s, being of poor agricultural quality, and is now heavily overgrown with limited structural or botanical diversity.

Detailed and very favourable surveys indicate it has great potential for regeneration as a wetland nature reserve, which will become of regional importance.

Allowing the River Kennet to overflow into the wetlands will help to alleviate the risk of flooding further downstream, a significant benefit for towns such as Newbury and Thatcham and those beyond.

The Education and Information Centre will share information on wetland and river ecology, conservation and climate change.

Sitting on stilts above the flood level, the proposed building will be constructed using eco-friendly, sustainably sourced and low-carbon materials.

The design includes external platforms giving views across the reserve and ground-level access for visitors to enjoy pond-dipping and the sights, sounds and smells of nature close up.

Both physical and visual access to the wetlands will be key.

There will be two types of footpaths: an informal circular path and a step-free, access-for-all path that includes boardwalks.

Road and pedestrian access will be created that connects the wetland to Charnham Park road.

To protect wildlife, the reserve will be dog-free (with the exception of registered assistance dogs).