Parking and main access: Country Park and northern
section - the Country Park is signposted from the A256 north of Sandwich (GR
343634). Southern section - from Sandwich town centre, take Sandown Road
and Guilford Road to the Sandwich Bay Estate (a toll is payable) then
follow Princes Drive north to the car park (GR 357591).
This large, internationally important nature reserve
encompasses a combination of habitats unique in south-east England. The
mudflats attract many migratory birds in winter, including
shelduck, redshank and curlew. On the saltmarsh grow
specialised plants such as sea lavender and a number of
rare grasses. Natural deposition of sand and shingle
has resulted in a superb ‘system’ of dunes and dune pastures (grazed
in winter) with many scarce, characteristic plants such as southern marsh
orchid and sea holly. The rocky shore and sea cliffs are home to rare
seaweeds and internationally important numbers of turnstones.
The Country Park is a good point from which to explore
the northern section of the reserve. The Country Park itself was once a
landfill site, which was covered in topsoil and planted with trees and is
now a wildlife haven in its own right. There is a waymarked trail around
the site and a hide ideally placed for observing the birdlife of the
mudflats and estuary. The dune systems are to be
found in the southern and central sections.
For guided walk details, leaflets and other
information: Kent Wildlife Trust 01622 622012.
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