It has maintained much of its medieval landscape, and is the largest area of wetland on the upper parts of the Thames Estuary.

The reserve is home to a diverse range of bird species, wetland plants and insects.

[8] The site is home to an environmentally friendly visitor centre which features solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural light and ventilation and a ground heat exchange system.

[15][16] The area west of a drain running south from Brookway is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR), as well as being part of the SSSI.

The marshes to the west of the nature reserve have been used as a landfill site for rubbish from London and the local area.

The decomposition of organic matter within the landfill generates a gas containing up to about 50 percent methane.