What is The River?
The River is a 2km walking trail that cuts across the campus taking in some of the nature highlights on campus, in particular the amazing plant communities that shape our landscape.
The River celebrates 60 years of growth as part of the University's Diamond Anniversary, leaving a lasting legacy that can be enjoyed by all on campus. It also forms part of the University’s commitment to sustainability, biodiversity enhancement, food growing, as well as using the campus to support education and wellbeing.
Why is the trail called ‘The River’?
The River name comes from an original idea to create a dry riverbed planting scheme on campus.
Over time, the concept evolved into a winding pathway that meanders through campus linking the Diamond Orchard in the south and the Kent Community Oasis Garden at the far eastern edge.
Along its route, The River connects a rich variety of habitats and landscape features. It celebrates their uniqueness, cultural significance and biodiversity value, and invites us to consider how we can learn from and use these spaces more sustainably. This makes The River: a River of Vegetation, River of Biodiversity, River of Wellbeing and much more.
An A-Z of The River
Want to know more about the plants that make up The River? Check out our plant index which we are slowly building up with info cards on the plants you will find on The River. Want to write for the index? Get in touch with us at sustainability@kent.ac.uk.
How do I follow The River?
The River is marked on campus by white banded orienteering posts. (Coming soon!) You can use these to find your way along the trail as well read about the plants you will find in that area. There are also larger interpretation boards along the route. (Coming soon!) You can download a pdf map or use the Google Map link from the menu on the right.