The history of Romney Warren begins over two thousand years ago, when sand dunes were formed along the coast. As new sand dunes were formed, sea retreated. Plants then recolonised, the former sand dunes to make a unique plant life environment. Later, the reclaimed land of the
Romney Marshes was used for grazing large numbers of sheep for many centuries. These wool fleeces paid for the large churches in the villages across the marshes. The Romney Warren Project was then established in 1995 with the aims of promoting awareness of the Romney Marsh as an historic landscape while providing training and employment for disabled and unemployed people. It is a partnership between
Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Romney Warren
Charitable Trust, Nelson Park Gardens (local care home) and Shepway Volunteer Centre, Romney Marsh Countryside Project and
Kent Wildlife Trust. The main visitor centre was designed by the Baker-Brown McKay Partnership. The techniques and materials used mean the building has a life span of at least 100 years. The foundations are steel
gabions filled with
cobblestones from
Lydd, these have been handpicked and filled. The main framework of the building is made of
larch, from the
West Country. This part was built first so that the roof could be added next, and so a cover was provided for the straw during the next building process. 350
straw bales were placed to form the walls, held together with
chestnut poles. Even the roof has been designed with wildlife in mind, as it is covered in
sedum as a
green roof. The roof covers the building's entire footprint, replacing the habitat which would have otherwise been lost. The building was 'Highly Commended' at the 2003 Kent Design Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.ecolibriumsolutions.co.uk/projects/romney-warren-visitor-centre/ ==Facilities==