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Saving the Garden of England

Sandwich & Pegwell Bay

The landscape is made up of a complex mosaic of habitats: inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle, sand dunes, ancient dune pasture, chalk cliffs, wave cut platform and coastal scrubland. It is the best remaining complex of this type in the southeast, showing a complete series of seashore habitats.

Of international importance the reserve is noted for its bird population. Please avoid disturbing resident bird life .

Directions

By Road:
Situated around the estuary of the River Stour between Sandwich and Ramsgate. The Pegwell Bay Coastal Park and car park is situated on the north side of the Stour on the A256 and is well signposted.

There is a height restriction barrier at the entrance to the car park.

Public Transport:
Bus 37 Ramsgate and Sandwich passes the entrance to the Country Park.

Car Parking Charges:
Weekdays  £1.00 all day
Weekends/Bank Holidays  £1.50 all day
Annual Parking Permit  £35.00
Registered Disabled  Free

Opening Times: Pegwell Bay Coastal Park 8.30am to 7.00pm or dusk if earlier.

Download Reserve Map (PDF)

Key site for

  • The reserve is of international importance for its waders and wildfowl, best seen over winter or during the spring and autumn migrations.
  • For common waders in winter such as dunlin, curlew, oystercatcher and redshank are joined by nationally important numbers of sanderling and grey plover. All these are best seen on the mudflats of Pegwell Bay.
  • For other bird life in summer including: redshank, shelduck and oystercatcher which stay to breed, and are joined on the shingle by ringed plovers and the rare little tern.

Wildlife update

  • Since the juveniles' release in September 2004, the sand lizards have bred successfully this year and have been observed in the dunes.
  • A GrantScape Biodiversity Project has facilitated the creation of new pasture at Pegwell Coastal Park with 2 km of stock fence; 2 km all weather surfaced nature trail around the Coastal Park providing good access for the disabled around Pegwell Bay and to recently enhanced grass and scrubland habitat.
  • There is a bird viewing hide with access for wheelchairs, information panels overlooking Pegwell Bay and nature trails for three routes. A reserve leaflet is available on site. 
 
The Wildlife Trusts