Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve

Pegwell Bay is a designated National Nature Reserve covering saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats at the mouth of the River Stour where it meets the sea. The reserve is particularly important for migrating and wintering birds, including waders and wildfowl. The shallow sheltered waters and mudflats provide feeding grounds for species moving along migration routes. The reserve also supports specialist plant communities adapted to saline conditions.

The bay is managed for conservation and is accessible to visitors, with viewing areas and walking routes that allow observation of wildlife without disturbing the habitats. It is best visited with binoculars and a bird identification guide, especially during migration seasons when variety is greatest. The nearby visitor facilities and proximity to Sandwich town make it a feasible stop on a coastal journey. Low tide reveals more of the mudflats and shore, offering changing perspectives depending on tidal conditions.