Nature & Wildlife in Folkestone, Hythe, Romney Marsh & The North Downs, Kent

Miles of unspoilt marshland, undulating downs, and an extraordinary coastal nature reserve make Folkestone, Hythe, Romney Marsh & The North Downs a must for nature lovers.

Miles of unspoilt marshland, undulating downs, and an extraordinary coastal nature reserve make this area a must for nature lovers.

From the shingle expanses of Dungeness, to the dramatic Heritage Coast of white cliffs at Folkestone Warren, Folkestone and Hythe is a haven for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.

As well as being rich in native wildlife, the area is also home to the Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve - offering a safari park experience set in more than 600 acres. Over 700 animals from across the world can be experienced roaming the plains.

With huge skies and vistas, Romney Marsh offers tranquility and space in 100 square miles of level open countryside taking in wetlands, shingle and sandy shores, ideal for walking and cycling. Drop into the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre for an introduction to the Marsh’s unique wildlife, landscape and history, and tips on other things to see and do.

Spend quality time at the RSPB’s internationally important Dungeness Reserve with magnificent bird, insect and plant life. The Dungeness National Nature Reserve offers a fascinating and mysterious landscape. Its beach, shingle, wetland and grazing marshes support one of the south-east's most significant breeding colonies of gulls and terns, marsh harriers, bitterns, migrating Bewick's swans and gadwalls. Porpoises are often spotted offshore, while the area is known as one of the best places in Britain to find insects such as moths, bees, beetles and spiders. It is also home to more than 600 different types of plant; a third of all those found in Britain.

Brockhill Country Park, near Hythe, is also rich in wildlife; spot marbled white butterflies, green woodpeckers and carpets of snowdrops at the start of spring. The park is laid out with three distinct areas to explore: the deer park, lake, and large valley area where the Brockhill Stream wends its way to the Royal Military Canal, itself a haven for aquatic wildlife including dragonflies and kingfishers.

Nestled between Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone, the Elham Valley is in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There can be few places quite as tranquil. Enjoy a walk in the unspoiled countryside and woodland, followed by a pub lunch at one of the many charming village pubs. Breathe in the fresh air, drink in the views and feel yourself relax.