Description:

Dungeness NNR is jointly owned and managed by English Nature and the RSPB.

The NNR is a shingle beach on the Kent/East Sussex border. The shingle is made largely from material eroded during the last ice age. The beach has formed over the past 6000 years and is the 'spine' behind which the Romney and Walland Marshes have developed. Vegetated shingle is the major habitat at the reserve together with natural and artificial wetlands, and grazing marsh.

The reserve has one of south-east England's most important breeding colonies of gulls and terns. The site is also important for many migrating birds, including Bewick's swans and gadwalls.

Dungeness has an important population of medicinal leech. In the past these leeches were used to treat a variety of ailments and were collected in such numbers that they became extinct in many parts of the country.

There is an RSPB visitor centre at the site offering toilet and refreshment facilities, including facilities for the disabled. The RSPB organises frequent activities at the reserve including guided walks. Please note that admission charges might apply.
There are information panels at the reserve, an easy access nature trail and a number of hides, most of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also wheelchair accessible boardwalks at the Dungeness Station and Lade car parks.