Grove Ferry Picnic Area

Grove Ferry is near Upstreet, in Kent, England.

This picnic site is maintained and managed by Kent County Council. It is beside the Grove Ferry Public House, built in 1831, (managed by Shepherd Neame). The pub took its name from a hand drawn ferry that crossed the River Stour, Kent in front of the building. The pub was also known as Grove Ferry Inn. It still continues to offer bed and breakfast stays.

The road Bridge (over the River Stour) replaced the old ferry in 1963.

Kent County Council renovated the Grove Ferry bridge, in September 2000. It is close to the railway level crossing, (the site of a former dismantled railway station). The road leads down from to the crossing and then over the bridge, before heading to Grove Hill or Preston. When the level crossing is down, cars are queued back over the bridge.

The picnic site is to the right of the pub car park beside the river. It is a good starting point, for doing sections of the long distance walks; Stour Valley Walk, the Saxon Shore Way or the Wantsum Walks (beside the Wantsum Channel), all that lead beside the River Stour.

It is also adjacent to the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve. The river is part of an area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recently upgraded to an International RAMSAR site.

Fishing rights were granted during the reign of King Henry II and are still available today along the river bank. Some of the fishing swims (sections of the river where fish are found) have been adapted for those with disabilities. The Canterbury and District Angling Club hold most fishing rights over the River Stour. Subject to an agreement between the Association and English Nature.

Grove Ferry Boat Club was founded in 1964.You will find the clubhouse, dating from the early seventies, on the south bank of the River Great Stour, (the second largest river in Kent) It lies just below the Grove Ferry Bridge, some 8 miles east of Canterbury.