Print pageAbout Elmley Marshes
)
Image: David Tipling
If you thought that there was no wilderness left in the south-east, come and have a look at Elmley Marshes! The two-mile drive across the vast wetlands, managed by the Elmley Conservation Trust, to get to the reserve car park is an exciting start to your visit.
From the car park it is a mile walk alongside the marshes down to our first hide, which overlooks a wonderful 'scrape', a shallow pool where avocets breed and thousands of wading birds drop in from the nearby Swale mudflats. Elderly and disabled visitors can drive to the first hide by arrangement.
There are then four further hides, and everywhere at Elmley Marshes the sky is often filled with birds – flocks of curlews or golden plovers, teals and pintails, starlings spooked by the merlins, hen harriers, marsh harriers and short-eared owls which hunt daily in winter.
Our new viewpoint at Capel Fleet a few miles' drive away on Sheppey is perhaps the best bird of prey viewpoint in the UK, with rough-legged buzzards regularly seen in winter. The area can be exposed, so wrap up well, and prepare for an amazing trip. Opening times: daily (not Tuesdays) 9 am to 9 pm or sunset when earlier.
Opening times
Open daily (closed Tuesdays) 9 am to 9 pm or sunset when earlier.
Entrance charges
There are no fixed entrance fees. However, suggested donations for non-members of £2.50 adults, 50 p child, £1.50 concession, and £4.50 for a family, are gratefully received to help maintain the reserve.
Information for dog owners
No dogs allowed, except registered assistance dogs