Tucked away on the north coast of Kent, the Isle of Sheppey offers a unique blend of coastal charm, natural beauty, and rich heritage.
Just over an hour from London, this hidden gem invites you to explore its beautiful beaches, thriving wildlife reserves and characterful towns like Leysdown-on-Sea. Whether you're drawn to peaceful walks along the marshes, fossil hunting on the cliffs, or uncovering centuries of maritime history, Sheppey promises an authentic and refreshing visit by the sea.
Think Isle of Sheppey, think golden sands, award-winning beaches, and proper seaside holidays at Leysdown-on-Sea - ice cream in hand, sea breeze in your hair, and nostalgia in full swing. But there's more just beyond the dunes...
...Watch raptors soar over sweeping skies, walk through swathes of serene nature reserves at Elmley Marshes and The Swale, and explore a landscape steeped in Saxon seafaring heritage. And, what's more, fossil hunting on world-renowned fossil beds offers the thrill of unearthing a tiny dinosaur!
From the lively port town of Sheerness to the historic charm of Queenborough, and on to the Blue Flag/Seaside Award beaches of Minster, Sheerness, and Leysdown-on-Sea, the Isle of Sheppey delivers the perfect British seaside escape with something for everyone to enjoy.
Discover the 'Sheppey Shoreline' (downloadable pdf) - a family guide to the wildlife that can be found on the island's beaches. Providing some wonderful opportunities, to discover some of the impressive marine and birdlife found along the shoreline.
Sheppey has a rich history and is known as the birthplace of British aviation, visit the Eastchurch Aviation Museum where the story is told. Distinguished aviators such as Shorts, Rolls and Wrights were all based here and on 2nd May 1909 John Brabazon made the first flight in Britain - flying a total of 500 yards at a height of 35 feet at Leysdown. Other claims to fame include Nelson being based at the naval dockyard, and his body returned to Sheerness after he died at the Battle of Trafalgar.
JMW Turner also painted scenes of Sheerness, and nearby Blue Town has many historical links, which you can learn all about at Blue Town Heritage Centre. Other heritage attractions on Sheppey include Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities in Sheerness, Minster Gatehouse Museum and the Guildhall Museum Queenborough. Queenborough is a harbour town with moorings available, which evolved from a small Saxon settlement and is steeped in maritime history. It is known that Edward III built a castle there, but sadly only the earthworks are what remain today. Minster's heritage stems from its royal Saxon Abbey which was originally a Benedictine convent, founded in the 7th Century by Queen Sexburga of Kent.
The Elmley Conservation Trust and Raptor Viewing Platform at Capel Fleet give nature enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the stunning array of birds who visit the island. Sheppey has the highest population of marsh harriers and also supports lapwing, redshank and oyster catchers to name but a few. The Swale Estuary has now been designated as a Marine Conservation Zone and the Isle of Sheppey is a great place to view it.
Experience Sheppey by cycling or walking and follow the Explore Kent - Sheppey Map (downloadable PDF)
The Sheppey Tourist Information Centre is hosted at Sheppey Community Media Centre, The Pavilion, Off Royal Road, Sheerness on Sea, ME12 1AY. It is also home to Sheppey FM 92.2 Community Radio, just one of the many amenities provided by Sheppey Matters on the Isle of Sheppey.Â
Filming on the Isle of Sheppey - Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and capture many of the locations seen on the Big Screen such as Elmley Marshes, Swale Nature Reserve, Harty Ferry and Harty Church, The Swale and Sheerness Docks. Listings of all films shot on the Island can be found on the Kent Film Office website and include: Great Expectations, The Hide, Top Gear - The Sweeney.
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A Selection of Just Some of the Places to Visit on The Isle of Sheppey
Zoom in on the attractions and accommodation map below for locational awareness
