An award-winning visitor centre is to close due to rising costs and falling visitor numbers, bosses say.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) has made the “difficult decision” to terminate its lease at Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, and is preparing to hand the site back to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).

The building, on Dymchurch Road between New Romney and St Mary’s Bay, sits on the 27-acre Romney Warren nature reserve which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

It was the first attraction in Kent to win a gold award in the Green Tourism business scheme, but bosses say a decline in visitor numbers mean “it is not economically viable to keep it open”.

The free-to-enter site, which will be handed back to FHDC on July 31, includes walking trails, an art gallery, cafe and picnic area.

KWT’s chief operating officer, Ben Dart, said: “While we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved at the site, which was the first recipient of the gold award in the Green Tourism business scheme, the rising costs to maintain the centre, coupled with a decline in visitor numbers mean that it is not economically viable to keep it open.

“The ongoing management of the reserve after July will fall to the council and we are hopeful that they will find a new leaseholder who can continue to work with our wonderful volunteers to manage their fantastic gardens where they grow organic produce.

“We will work closely to offer support to the staff at the centre throughout the transition period.”

Despite the closure, the nature reserve will remain open to the public, and is protected from development due to its SSSI status.

The trust, which has run the centre for 20 years, says it feels it can “deliver more for nature through other projects” and the site no longer meets its “strategic aims”.

In a further statement, it said: “All existing event bookings will continue as planned and the gardens, country park and trails will remain open for visitors, although toilet and cafe opening hours may become more limited from June onwards as the lease end date approaches.

“We’re hugely thankful to our wonderful staff and incredible volunteers, who have helped turn the centre and gardens into the beautiful wildlife haven and community hub that it is today.

“We’re hopeful that this will give a new opportunity for another local organisation/s to take it on and go on to safeguard this site for future generations.”

FHDC says future options for the site will be reviewed in due course.