To help you prepare and get excited about your upcoming stay, we've gathered some helpful information for you.

We look forward to having you stay with us and we welcome you to arrive early and enjoy the Reserve footpaths. Please do let us know if you have any questions, we look forward to meeting you soon.

Enjoy slow mornings with breakfast delivered to your door, a picnic lunch while wildlife-watching, and come the evening enjoy our range of delicious woodfired pizzas and premium drinks in our festoon-lit farmyard (from May 17th 2026 - Nov 1st 2026).

Breakfast doesn't need to be pre-ordered and nor does our Woodfired menu in the summer months, but Picnic Lunches, Cheese & Charcuterie Boards, and Supper Hampers do - please submit your pre-orders through the links. We are a small kitchen who aim to operate with minimal waste, due to this we kindly ask for at least 24 hours' notice for pre-orders.

Please note that we serve food and drinks throughout the summer months, weekends throughout the year, and during school holidays. If you are staying with us Mon-Thurs between Nov 1st 2026-19th March 2027, you'll be able to enjoy a cosy self-catered stay.

By Train:

Direct service from London St Pancras or Stratford Intl to Sittingbourne. We can arrange taxi transport from Sittingbourne Train station to Elmley.
There is a two-mile entry track through the Reserve to reach Kingshill Farm, so enjoy the drive and soak in the nature views!

By Car:

From Junction 5 on the M2, follow the A249 towards Sheerness
Take the exit for Iwade and Ridham Dock, immediately before the main Sheppey bridge
At the roundabout, take the second exit onto the old road bridge
On the Isle of Sheppey, after a minute or two, take the first right, following the brown Elmley Reserve sign
Take the second left, next to the large sign reading "Welcome to Elmley". Buzz the intercom if the gate is closed or use the gate code in your pre-arrival email.
There is a two-mile entry track through the Reserve to reach Kingshill Farm, so enjoy the drive and soak in the nature views!

Sat-nav note: If you are using sat-nav our postcode is ME12 3RW; Google Maps will take you straight to us, though please note that some sat-navs go a little awry! Please ensure you go over the lower bridge and note that the road to us looks very remote - your sat-nav may recognise it as a footpath instead.

If you have any questions about your accommodation, you might find our Information Packs useful. Click here for detailed information or ask a member of our friendly team who will be more than happy to help.

Please note due to the current drought conditions, and government advice, our firepits are currently restricted due to the fire risk with the surrounding hay meadows. We do provide sand buckets around site for safe disposal for any smokers and general safety.

The week ahead is looking pleasant; with bright sunshine towards the end of the week and scattered cloud with some showers on Wednesday and Friday, a great opportunity to see Elmley's landscape in all weathers, whether you plan to venture out on our walking trails in search of hobbies, harriers and barn owls, or spend a relaxing afternoon wildlife-watching from your comfy king-size bed. You can view the local weather here. Be sure to bring along waterproofs in case of heavier showers!

Due to the recent drought conditions, fire pits at individual accommodation are temporarily unavailable.

We have some beautiful shady spots to sit and enjoy under The Linhay where you can enjoy garden games and our honesty bar complete with cold drinks to purchase alongside complimentary tea and coffee.

Our Cockleshell beach will be closing very soon after a glorious summer, as we hand it back over to the breeding birds who nest on its shore throughout the autumn and winter. Pick up some cold drinks from the Linhay honesty bar and wander down to spend a while catching the lingering rays from summer on the sand. You can even paddle in the Swale, or take a dip in our fresh-water dipping pond, which can be found as you head out onto the main reserve footpath from the far-end of the carpark. Check the Cockleshell beach tide times in reception before you go!

Walks and safari drive;

Our entrance track is a winding 2 miles with some of our most sensitive and active breeding grounds teeming with wildlife as well as roaming livestock. We encourage you to enjoy this at any point of your stay by using your vehicle as a moving bird hide. We politely ask you to remain within our 15mph speed limit as well as stay inside your car and not use the road as a footpath. There is no time limit here so please pull to one side.

We encourage you to enjoy the reserve and switch off during your time with us. Why not pack a flask of something hot and enjoy our marked footpaths for miles of wild landscape. Venture as far as you feel, use one of our bird hides as a check-point to sit and take nature in. You will be given a map of the reserve and we please ask you to stick to the marked footpaths to avoid disturbance to any wildlife.

The Linhay;

This is our communal area available to all guests to enjoy during their stay. Please help yourself to a drink from our honesty bar or a complimentary tea or coffee, then challenge each other to a board game on the comfy sofas, or browse our bird books. Drinks from our honesty bar will be added to a tab and settled upon check out. Guest wifi is available using password BlueBirdSing2026!

Tours & Treatments;

If you haven't already, check out our range of tours and treatments to indulge and relax at Elmley. We do recommend booking in advance to avoid any disappointment. Further information and links to book are below.

Recent sightings from the reserve can be found on a blackboard in the carpark, so do be sure to take a look when you arrive so you can look out for the reserve highlights! Binoculars are available throughout your stay if you'd like to hire a pair from us.

The local area;

If you do want to venture further afield, there are some wonderful places to visit such as Faversham, a local and historic market town. Alternatively Whitstable is a picturesque seaside town with an abundance of independent shops and seafood to sample.

Elmley National Nature Reserve covers 3,300 acres brimming with wildlife. Make the most of your time here with an immersive, expert led tour. Each tour is tailored to recent sightings and will access unique areas of the reserve off of the marked footpaths.

We have plenty of availability on our upcoming tours, elevate your Elmley experience and learn something new about the vast array of species that call us home - Please contact our team to check availability or you can book online.

Should you wish to arrange a private tour please contact our team on info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk to find out about availability and booking.

During your stay you can unwind and indulge in a range of rejuvenating treatments complimented with VERDEN and VOTARY products. From healing massages to nourishing facials, our treatments are rooted in natural fragrance to reconnect you with happiness in every moment of self-care.

You can book here with our experienced Holistic therapists - Victoria and Sarah.

Highlights this week:
Even though water levels on the reserve are low due to the recent weather we still have an abundance of wildlife onsite for you to enjoy. The reserve is completely different every season, but there is always something to see! Here is some of this weeks highlights:

Brown Hares

Elmley is home to approximately 250-300 brown hares. These can be seen throughout the marsh. They are mostly active towards dawn and dusk but can be seen snoozing or hiding out on the marsh throughout the day. They often make appearances outside shepherd’s huts but can honestly be seen anywhere!

Autumn Arrivals

Autumn marks a transition on the reserve, both in the crispness of the air and the vibrant reds and yellows, but also the sheer numbers of autumn and winter species that can be seen across the reserve. Among these are Passage birds, birds that pass-through Elmley during their migration down south to warmer climates, for example, the Osprey and Red-Footed Falcon. The arrival of our Wintering birds begins - tens of thousands of Wildfowl such as Widgeon, Teal, Pochard, various species of Geese, Waders and much more can be seen arriving on the marsh, to spend the cooler Winter months at Elmley.

Birds of Prey

Elmley is a leading destination to see several species of bird of prey. This includes (but is not limited to), Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Red Kite, Merlin, Kestrel, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Osprey, Red-Footed Falcon and previously the White-Tailed Eagle. Some are seen very rarely, and others only seen at specific times in the year dependent on how/when they migrate to different countries. Birds of prey are so exciting and impressive to see, and can be spotted throughout the reserve. They are most commonly seen along the entrance track and along the walk towards the bird hides. When walking, be sure to scan any fence posts or gate posts out in the marsh, as they often perch on these to scan the fields for their prey.

Owls

It's been another fantastic year for owls at Elmley.

Little Owl are mostly seen at the Old School House, but they can also be seen in the surrounding trees and along the walk to the old-school. In the day, they may be perched on the school, lapping up the sunrays and at night they can be seen on the entrance track hunting!
Barn Owl are mostly seen hunting in the meadow by our Bell Tents, in the meadows in front of the Shepherd’s huts and the meadow to the left of the track towards the Old School. They are most active at dawn and dusk and overnight.
Long-Eared Owl are usually spotted in the tree-line connected to the car park. They can be seen from the start of the tree-line, all the way through to the pond by the entrance to The Roost and Saltbox. Best chance to see them is in the day deep in the tree-line roosting (sleeping).
Short-Eared Owl are most likely seen in the growing trees heading down towards the Brickfields (looking from the car park towards the industry). They can be seen at any time of the day, in the grass, on posts and hunting around that general area. They are social owls and will all roost together here, which is a truly wonderful sight. They can also be spotted more generally across the reserve, towards the bird hides as well as on the entrance track. We expect Short-eared Owl numbers to increase moving into October and November.

Our wildlife tours are a lovely way to experience the Reserve and access areas outside of the marked footpaths during your stay - why not join one of our tours with our lead guides!