Best wildlife and nature reserves in Kent
Kent isn't called 'The Garden of England' for nothing. This south-eastern county’s rolling green hills and beautiful scenery are more than a match for its ancient buildings and historic sites.
The wonderful nature reserves in Kent are the pinnacle of its natural charm. Overflowing with flora and fauna and boasting miles of footpaths and cycle trails, these protected areas are popular with both tourists and residents alike. Whether you’re in search of blissful peace and a sense of wilderness, a chance to capture those family memories, or to go wildlife spotting, Kent’s nature reserves are the place to do it. We’ve compiled this list of the top places to experience wildlife in Kent, to save you time trawling online for your options. So, all that’s left for you to do is get a sturdy pair of shoes on, dust off the binoculars and step through the garden gate to discover Kent’s hidden gems for yourself.
Elmley National Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Elmley is an estate and nature reserve based on an island in the Thames. The vast area is made up of 3,300 acres of glorious wilderness, soul-stirring skies and breath-taking wildlife that provide a truly inspirational escape. You can use their cars as a hide and enjoy excellent opportunities to spot hares, lapwing, redshank, merlin, marsh harrier and more.
The entrance contribution to Elmley is just a few pounds per car, but please note that dogs are not allowed on the reserve (except registered assistance dogs). Be sure to check out The Cowshed Cafe which is open for drinks and light lunches on Wednesdays to Sundays from 9:30am until 3:30pm.
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Sevenoaks
Renowned as a birdwatching haven, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve has so much in its locker. It’s home to serene lakes, beautiful woodland and marshes, a wonderful visitor centre and elemental gardens made up of two distinct parts: the Butterfly Memorial Garden and the Wild Area. Repurposed for conservation from a former quarry, this pioneering nature reserve covers 73 hectares and comprises five lakes surrounded by woodland. It is a great site for watching dragonflies and damselflies and also has a diverse community of plants, fungi, and some of the best night-time wildlife in Kent including bats and glow-worms.
The nature reserve remains open daily dawn till dusk, though the visitor centre is open 10am – 4pm, seven days a week from 1st April. Be sure to make the trip to the visitor centre as it hosts displays and exhibitions at the museum, meaning it is very popular with children of all ages, especially those with a passion for nature. There’s also a charming shop and tea bar, which makes it a great place to spend a day out with the whole family. Parking will set you back just a few quid throughout the week, so it’s not only an educational day out, but a cheap one too!
Cooling Marsh Nature Reserve, near Cooling
Cooling Marsh Nature Reserve is a few miles west of Kent Coast Holiday Park on the Isle of Grain. A spectacularly scenic and serene place, you're likely to have 10 times more sheep than people for company. The views here are contrasting and endearing, with the Kent countryside showcasing all its glory inland with fields full of animals that can inhabit this untouched paradise. Across the estuary, you'll spot the imposing Thames Gateway Port, a massive hive of activity that hosts loads of ships delivering goods for London and beyond. Nevertheless, the atmosphere here is one of a fresh sea breeze and lush countryside, allowing you to truly escape the hustle and bustle on an outing that's handily accessible from our Kent holiday park.
Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, near Oare
The Oare Marshes Nature Reserve is a coastal landscape of desolate beauty and an absolute must visit. The area consists of a variety of terrain including grazing marsh (one of a few left in Kent), reedbed, open water scrapes, saltmarsh, and seawall. These habitats support a dizzying potential for bird species throughout the seasons and is of international importance for migratory, overwintering and breeding wetland birds. With the right timing you can expect to find species such as barn owls, marsh harriers, avocets, and some rare American waders.
Oare Marshes Nature Reserve is accessed via a narrow road leading from the town of Faversham. Be sure to leave in good time as the car park is quite small (about 10 cars) and can fill up on weekends. The money for the car park goes towards the reserve so you know your contribution is going to a good cause.
RSPB Cliffe Pools, near Cliffe
Located on the north-western coast of the Hoo Peninsula and just a half hour drive from our Kent Coast Holiday Park, Cliffe Pools is a beautiful landscape of stunning wetland and open horizons. This RSPB run site is the ideal destination for long summer walks thanks to several trails of varying lengths that give spectacular views of the ever-present River Thames. We recommend taking the coast path which gives plenty of opportunities for a spot of birdwatching on the marshes and passes a derelict explosives factory, and other magnificent industrial heritage.
For visitors to the nature reserve, there is a free car park at the end of Salt Lane which is open daily from 10am-4pm - just follow the signs for the RSPB Cliffe Pools. There’s also a great village pub in Cliffe named “Six Bells”, for those in need of refreshment after a roam around the marshes. The reserve also welcomes responsible dog owners, so it’s a great place to take the pooch, but bear in mind that you are sharing this nature reserve with very rare ground-nesting birds.
Dungeness National Nature Reserve, Dungeness
Dungeness is a unique and strange setting with a landscape reminiscent of science fiction films. The atmosphere is totally unique and even just the walk from the car park to the power station is an unforgettable experience. We recommend walking the two-mile circular trail around the reserve which lies in the shadow of a nuclear power station and is dotted with the scenic remains of old fishing boats. The area is understandably popular for photo shoots and photographers, so you’ll be sure to get a great snap or two.
The Dungeness National Nature Reserve is also teeming with wildlife and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There are friendly RSPB staff on hand, as well as scenic lookout places and hides. The Reserve is open daily (excluding December 25 and 26) from 9am - 9pm and there is also a visitor centre which is open 10am - 5pm (4pm November - February). Parking is free of charge and there is a lovely pub and fresh fish shack for you to enjoy some local produce before you head back!
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.