Birds at Pegwell Bay, photo by Russell Miles
Seal at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, photo by Russell Miles
Sandwich Bay, photo by Vicky Aitkenhead
Wetland at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, photo by Vicky Aitkenhead
Ian Andrews
Sandwich and Pegwell Bay
Location
OS Map Reference
TR 341 632
Know before you go
Parking information
Pegwell Bay Country Park - KCC manage the car park which charges £1.30 a day Mon-Fri, or £2 for weekends and Bank holiday. Sandwich Bay has a toll gate - £7 per car.Bicycle parking
Yes, bicycle parking available at Pegwell Bay Country ParkGrazing animals
Highland Cattle, occasionally Konik horses. Dogs must be kept on lead in the grazing compartments.Walking trails
The New All England Coast Path runs through and around the boundary of the NNR, this is clearly signposted (or please visit the Natural England website for maps). At Pegwell Bay Country Park, there is a circular route with hard surfaces and several grass paths within the CP. Please adhere to the restricted access areas highlighted on the map.
Access
Pegwell Bay Country Park - circular solid path around seawall which is wheelchair accessible, and mown grass paths throughout Country Park. Saltmarsh and mudflats are restricted access (see map for the restricted area). Sustrans bicycle route runs on the boundary of the Country Park and Sandwich Road. Sandwich Bay - sandy path and beach, with a restricted access area to the North of the Bay (see map for restricted areas).
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
Pegwell Bay Country Park - please see KCC website.The toilets are not always open.
Best time to visit
All year roundAbout the reserve
This complex mosaic of habitats, including Kent's only ancient dune pasture, hosts much rare flora and fauna. Passage Spring migrants of the feathered variety stop for the breeding season - species such as Nightingale can be heard singing their strong and loud song, and cuckoos can be heard from the treetops signalling their territories, as well as the many warbler species - all creating a wall of birdsong to fill the ears!
In Summer, Ringed Plover will return to Sandwich Bay to nest on the shingle beach, and hopefully, Little Tern's will make a come back here too! Butterflies flit around the wildflowers and duneland flora, such as the lizard orchids and sea holly.
The Autumn sees the influx of the waders and waterfowl, feeding on the saltmarsh, recuperating from their long migration journeys ready for the winter. The seals are can be seen in fantastic numbers in the Winter - they can be viewed from the end of Stonelees after walking through Pegwell Bay Country Park. You might even be lucky enough to catch the odd Waxwing in the winter that come to feed on the berries.