Welcome to the Hatchery

Education | Conservation | Research

Welcome to the Thames Estuary Lobster Hatchery, where we are dedicated to conserving and growing the native lobster population. Our hatchery works not just to increase the population, but to educate people about these amazing animals.

Our goal is to bring back a once-thriving lobster population that can provide a sustainable & local food source, while promoting the important role lobsters play in the estuary’s ecosystem.

Visit the hatchery

Visit the hatchery and learn all about the fascinating process of lobster breeding and rearing, as well as see all kinds of other local marine life. We’re open all-year round and are very easy to get to. Craft activities are included with admisson!

Visit us

Foster a lobster

Fostering a lobster is one of the easiest and most effective (and fun) way to support the Hatchery and what we do. You get to name your lobster and receive a personalised certificate, as well as regular progress updates.

Let’s foster a lobster…

Support us

Join the amazing journey of not just the Lobster Hatchery, but the lobsters themselves, by supporting the Hatchery whether it’s a small donation, a corporate membership, membership or sponsoring an actual lobster.

Support the lobsters

Find out more about us

Discover who we are and what drives us! Learn about the passionate team behind the Lobster Hatchery and our commitment to preserving and enhancing the lobster population.

Explore our journey

“Couldn’t recommend the lobster hatchery enough! My toddler and I visited this morning and she had an amazing time! So much thought had been put into all of the activities and my daughter even got to hold Larry the lobster (which she loved).”

Facebook reviewer (more here)

“Our mission is to promote the importance of sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture through accessible education for all and Conservation.

“We aim to regenerate the historical oyster beds of the River Colne and significantly improve the long-term productivity of lobsters in the Thames Estuary”.

For more frequent updates check out our Facebook page.