Name: Elmley Nature Reserve
Address: Elmley National Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 3RW, United Kingdom
Telephone: 01795 664896
Price range: $

Check-in is from 3pm
Check-out is at 10:30am on the morning of your departure. 
With advance notice we will always try to accommodate you if you require flexibility, so please do contact us to ask. Outside of these times you are very welcome to enjoy the Reserve within opening hours and we will happily look after your bags for you.

What time is check-in and check-out?

We can spoil you and deliver cooked breakfast sandwiches to your hut. Gorgeous lunches and suppers are available See <a href="https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/food-drink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food &amp; Drink</a> for more information. Alternatively you can self-cater in the hut and camping kitchen. If you are staying in Elmley Cottage, we can arrange private dining with bespoke menus or delivery of relaxed meals.

What are my options for food and drink?

The closest train station is Swale, on the Sheerness line. Trains from London Victoria, St Pancras and Stratford Intl go directly to Sittingbourne. From Sittingbourne you can pick up a taxi (around 15 mins drive) or change to get a train to Swale (3 miles from Elmley).

How far are you from the nearest train station?

An accommodation gift voucher can be used for a stay in any of our accommodation. Please note you are unable to redeem the voucher online If you have a voucher to redeem and wish to book a date - please book your preferred dates online - a 30% deposit is required on booking. Please then email us with the booking details and we will apply the voucher retrospectively to your booking and refund the deposit. Alternatively please call us on 01795 664896 and we can book you in and redeem your voucher over the phone.

How can I book a stay using my gift voucher?

Upon arrival we can provide you with a map of the Reserve which shows the trails, you can also download this ahead of time <a href="https://files.mutualcdn.com/elmley/files/Elmley-Reserve-Map-Final-Aug-20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you would like to discover more of the Reserve with one of our expert guides, our tours are an incredible and immersive experience. You can find out more about our tours <a href="https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>

Where can I walk on the Reserve? Do I need to book a Tour?

Tea and coffee facilities are provided in the hut, please ask if you would like fresh milk on arrival. You can order breakfast sandwiches to be delivered hot to your hut with a pot of tea and coffee. We also offer lunch and supper. Breakfast, lunch and supper are an additional cost.

Is breakfast included?

Here at Elmley we are really aware of the changing seasons, and each bring their own wildlife spectacles. Please do get in touch to let us know any particular interests and we can advise. Tours are available.

When is the best time to visit to see wildlife?

Yes, you are welcome to arrive at anytime. We do try to meet everyone and show them in. However, for later arrivals we will provide you with clear self check-in instructions and we will be contactable by phone.

I won't be able to arrive until the evening, would this be ok?

Yes, and you can leave it outside the hut or you can lock it inside the barn. Please be aware that during the important months for our birds (April-May &amp; November-January) we don’t encourage cycling to avoid disturbance. And if you have a road bike be aware of our bumpy entrance drive.

Can I bring my bike?

Yes, we would be delighted to arrange a treat such as a tour or a bottle of English sparkling wine to be left in their room, please contact us to organise this.

I have friends staying with you for a special occasion can I organise something for them?

Blue Badge holders are permitted to drive down to the first hide which is wheelchair accessible. We realise that many of our visitors enjoy the walk but need to take it in their own time, so we have placed ‘perching posts’ along the way to allow a rest.
The Swale viewing screen provides wonderful birdwatching over the Swale only a 200m walk from the carpark.
And some of the best birdwatching is from the entry track. Please feel free to stop and enjoy the wildlife from your car. 
For events and weddings-the venue has ramp access and an accessible loo. Please do note there is uneven ground and shallow shingle around site.

How accessible is Elmley?

Walk, watch the wildlife, wild swim, read, paint, draw, play scrabble, talk, relax, Elmley is a huge slice of wilderness in South East England and stays here are all about getting back to nature and recharging. Enhance you stay with a <a href="https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife experience</a> or <a href="https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/treatments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wellness treatment</a>
We're also a fantastic base for exploring Kent with Whitstable, Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Chatham Dockyards all within 45min drives. Please do speak to our hosts for recommendations.

What is there to do?

The huts do not have WiFi, as you really should be switching off! However, you can pick up 4G on most networks. Please let us know if you'd like a space to work from and we can arrange this. There is WiFi around the site and at Elmley Cottage and Kingshill Farmhouse.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Regrettably, dogs are not allowed on the reserve even on a lead, this is to avoid disturbance to the wildlife. Registered assistance dogs are permitted.

Can I bring a dog?

Bikes are allowed on all permissive paths from June to September only but no through route is available. Elmley has miles of gravel paths which are great for cycling along but we also have a lot of birds and other shy wildlife throughout the autumn, winter and Spring. Our paths and roads wind through many of the fields these birds rest and feed in. 
The birds do not see vehicles as a threat but are disturbed by people and bikes so we ask visitors to enter the 2 mile road by vehicle from October to the end of May. This mean everyone has a close up view of them and most importantly in Winter they get to rest and feed more and don’t use energy flying unnecessarily. For people or children who find the walk from the car park to the hides a challenge you may cycle along the path from the car park to the hides though-out the year. There is no current through route from Elmley across the Island.

Can I cycle?

Yes, we supply freshly ground locally roasted coffee. All huts have a cafetiere and please ask for fresh milk on arrival.

What coffee is provided?

In order to ensure there is no disturbance to the wildlife and livestock, the use of drones (UAVs) is not permitted unless permission is specifically granted by us for specific areas.

Can I fly a drone?

There is a two night minimum stay on weekends, and in School Summer holidays, and a minimum of three nights at Bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.

Is there a minimum stay?

Yes, you can book online or over the phone using any card including American Express. On departure you can settle up for any extras by card.

Do you accept card?

Yes, definitely. All the huts are very well insulated (with eco-wool which is made from recycled plastic bottles). Vanellus, The Ferryman's, The Damson and The Saltbox have electric oil filled radiators, Little Owl and Samphire, The Roost and Martha's Hut have wood burning stoves. To keep you even more cosy all huts have Romney Marsh wool blankets and hot water bottles. Do bring warm, outdoors clothes for winter walks on the marsh. And winter is the best time for bird watching with tens of thousands winter wildfowl and wading birds visiting the marsh, along with many birds of prey.

I'd like to come in Winter, will it be warm enough in the huts?

We often have guests staying on their own, as Elmley is such a wonderful place to recharge in peace. Even though the huts look out onto wilderness views, they aren't completely on their own. You will be staying within Kingshill Farm, and there is always a member of staff onsite. The entry to the Nature Reserve has a locked gate, so the location is very secure.

I'd like to come on my own, and am concerned about staying in a remote hut

Yes! Due to the set up of the accommodation we can only welcome children in the large huts, Summer bell tents, and in Elmley Cottage. Elmley is wonderful for children with so much space and wildlife to explore. High chairs, baby baths and travel cots and a selection of games and books are all available on request. Please be aware that the set-up is not specifically designed for children so it does suit families who are looking for a place to rewind and relax, rather than lots of facilities and activities. Also children must be supervised at all times for their safety (it is a working farm) and to avoid disturbance to wildlife and other guests. We're afraid that we cannot accommodate any children or babies in Samphire or Little Owl. And children under 12 cannot be accommodated in the individual rooms in Kingshill Farmhouse.

Are you family friendly?

No, as we are an off-grid site we don’t provide hairdryers to save electricity. Elmley Cottage and The Farmhouse Rooms have low wattage hairdryers provided.

Is there a hairdryer in the hut?

The huts and houses are designed as perfect spaces to cosy up with tea and books and watch the weather from the windows. The beautiful Victorian barn and Linhay are incredible spaces to be in. Book a beautiful wellness treatment.

What if there is wet weather?

None of our duvets or pillows contain feathers. Please be aware some cushions in the houses do have feathers so please do make us aware if you have an allergy and we will remove them.

Do the duvets contain feathers?

We have plenty of onsite parking but as the huts are set within the Nature Reserve you are unable to park directly outside. We are happy to help with bags and you can drop off closer to the hut.

Can I park outside the hut?

Our hosts are available every day 9am to 5pm, and in the evening and barn waiting staff are available if you need a hand. We will always be very happy to help and ensure you have everything you need. However, please be aware that Elmley is a busy working farm and National Nature Reserve and we offer a relaxing, get away from it all to escape, rather than the full concierge services of a hotel.
Don't worry though, there is an emergency out of hours contact if you need.

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