Kevin Duvall
Car parking charges
Putting wildlife first
We have introduced paid parking to our flagship nature reserves. Please support a Wilder Kent by utilizing our parking facilities. Your contribution through parking charges plays a vital role in enabling us to protect wildlife and restore natural habitats.
To enhance our facilities, we are implementing an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) infrastructure at select sites. This upgrade is made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Emergency Fund grant.
While our car parks have historically offered free access to the public, including our valued members, we believe it is reasonable to request support in maintaining these exceptional and crucial sites. You are directly contributing to the preservation and conservation efforts undertaken by the Trust.
If you have any questions, please contact parkingcharges@kentwildlife.org.uk
Your questions on paid parking
How do I pay?
The easiest way to pay is by using the RinGo App. You can pay online or by calling 02030 460 010.
(Please note, there is a 20p admin charge for Ringo parking)
Payment can be made before, during or after the visit as long as it is made by 23:59 on the day you visited the reserve.
(Please note, at Sevenoaks, you can pay on card at the machines located near the visitor centre)
| Reserve | Weekday charge | Weekend charge | Location code |
| Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve | £2.50 | £3.50 | 32509 |
| West Blean | £2.00 | £2.50 | 32512 |
| East Blean | £2.50 | £2.50 | 32511 |
| Queendown | £2.00 | £2.00 | 32514 |
| Marden Meadows | £2.50 | £2.50 | 32510 |
| Oare Marshes | £2.50 | £3.50 | 32513 |
| Cromer Wood | £2.00 | £2.00 | 32515 |
How can I pay by phone in locations with limited or no signal?
We are working on the problem with the phone signal and hope to have this remedied soon, however, payment can be made either before, after or during the visit - payment must be made before 23:59 on the day you visited the site. We are also looking at alternative methods of payment.
I don't have a smartphone, how can I pay?
You can pay online or pay by phone. Payment can be made before, during or after the visit as long as it is made by 23:59 on the day you visited the reserve.
To pay by phone call the number on the sign: 02030 460 010 and have the location number ready.
Will the Trust make money out of the penalty charge notices?
No. This is a joint venture between us and Euro Car Parks (ECP) which will see the Trust receive 100% of the parking income while ECP will receive 100% of any penalty charges.
What will paid parking income be used for?
Income from paid parking will support the conservation activities of the Trust and support the management of each individual site.
Will disabled badge holders be able to park for free?
Disabled parking will be subject to the same charges as other users.
Will Kent Wildlife Trust members receive free parking?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this at this stage. The HMRC considers car parking a VATable member benefit; this means that if a member uses a car park free of charge at a nature reserve owned by the charity, we lose Gift Aid on the entire membership income and pay VAT on each individual visit. However, a number of conservation charities are lobbying for a change of rules or a bespoke arrangement with HMRC to cover this (as the National Trust has).