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Experience Swale
  • A Trip to the Isle of Sheppey
  • Visit Sittingbourne
  • Discover Faversham
  • Things to See and Do in Faversham
  • Accommodation in Faversham
  • Places to Eat in Faversham
  • Events in Faversham Filtered Search Link
  • Faversham Town Council Website
  • Faversham Town Council's Faversham Passport
Explore
  • Beaches
  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Homes and Gardens
  • History and Heritage
  • Family History
  • Heritage Railways in Swale
  • Maritime Swale
  • Shopping In Swale
  • Healthy and Active in Swale
  • Find Attractions in the Swale Area
Food & Drink
  • Find Places to Eat
  • Food and Drink in Swale
  • Afternoon Tea in Swale Options
Macknade Fine Foods Plate of Food.jpg
Places to Stay
  • Stay and Eat in Swale
  • Find Accommodation
  • Hotels
  • Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
  • Self-Catering Accommodation
  • Camping and Caravanning
  • Hostel Accommodation
What's On
  • What's On in Swale
  • Find Events
  • Festivals
  • Arts and Cultural Events
  • Anniversaries
  • Visit Swale Event Submission Form
Visit Swale Promotional Image .JPG
20230521 135711
Plan Your Visit
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Visitor Information and Brochures
  • Travel Information
  • Community Radio Stations in Swale
  • Maps
  • Tide Times
  • Weather
  • National Highways A249 Improvement Works - Plan Ahead
  • 10 Reasons to Visit
  • 48 hrs on the Isle of Sheppey
  • 48 Hours in Sittingbourne
  • 48 Hours in Faversham and Surrounding Villages
  • Family Days Out in Swale
  • Rainy Days in Faversham, Sittingbourne and on the Isle of Sheppey
  • Discover Swale - A Photo Location Guide By Alex Hare Photography
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  2. See and Do in Swale
  3. Find Attractions
  4. Elmley National Nature Reserve
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Elmley National Nature Reserve

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Nature & Wildlife

 

For day visits, stays and up to date visitor information go to https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk

Tickets can be purchased on the gate and will give you access to the Elmley National Nature Reserve for the times shown below.

Enjoy a safari experience on the two-mile entry track through roaming cattle, winding waterways and wildlife. Keep an eye out for hares, marsh harrier, egrets, lapwings and redshank.

From the car park you are welcome to cycle or walk along the nature trails through the Reserve.

Notes:

  • The barn and accommodation areas are for overnight guests only. More information on staying is here
  • You can picnic on the benches past the car park (please just take your rubbish with you)
  • Unfortunately, no dogs, except Registered Assistance dogs, are permitted on site​

Elmley is a 3,300 acre National Nature Reserve, where peaceful meadows and waterways are dominated by vast, soul-stirring skies.

The Reserve, on a family-run farm, is renowned for wildlife and Shepherds Hut accommodation. At Elmley you are likely to see water birds wading in the ponds, magnificent birds of prey soaring above, hares bounding across the meadows, as well as a butterflies, dragonflies and bees exploring the waterways and wildflowers. If you’re lucky you might spot a watervole hiding among the reeds or a grass-snake basking by the ponds.

Elmley is also crammed full of heritage and history: Discover the house where King James II was imprisoned in 1688, the remains of a Victorian village and the marshes that inspired Dickens’ Great Expectations.​

The Reserve is a popular spot for photographers owing to its mesmerising landscapes, special quality of light and abundance of wildlife. Adult workshops and hire of photography hides are also available.

The Reserve is a renowned wildlife spot with the highest concentration of breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank, avocet, oyster catcher in lowland UK attracting wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers and photographers from throughout the UK.

The traditional Kentish barn is available for hire for weddings and events.

Escape to Elmley, only one hour from London, and enjoy walking, bird watching, photography or simply relaxing in the magnificent scenery.

For more information on visiting Elmley please call: 07931 315271​

Or visit www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk

Photo Credits: Robert Canis and John Whitting

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Pricing

An entrance fee of £8 applies for each adult. No need to book day tickets, just pay at the gate. All monies are administered by the Elmley Nature Reserve Community Interest Company and are 100% spent on maintaining and improving visitor facilities, information and conservation work. Unfortunately, we cannot provide concessionary discounts. Each adult tickets permits entry for up to two accompanying children free of charge. School and community visits are welcome free of charge but must pre-book visits info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk

Open Map

Address

Elmley National Nature Reserve Kingshill Farm, Elmley Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey
ME12 3RW

Contact

info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk 01795 664896

Links

  • Website

Opening Times

For up-to-date information on opening times and any changes, please visit www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/spend-the-day

Coaches welcome
Conference / Meeting facilities
Groups welcome
Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs welcome
Guided tours

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The official tourism website for the Swale area North Kent.