New Pebble Trail at Nature Reserve

The trail tells the story of the reserve and its pebbles over the last 2,000 years, from Anglo-Saxon hunters to modern day gravel extraction.

The trail provides a chance to find out how the whale bones were found on the reserve, what animals live on and between the pebbles, why the lakes were excavated and how pebbles can give you good luck.

Heather Chantler, RSPB lifelong learning officer, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming families to the trail as we head into summer. It is an exciting addition to the visitor facilities and we hope it will inspire children’s interest in history, the environment and wildlife.”

The new trail was developed through funding from Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust and the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. It builds on the reserve’s current visitor facilities and links to the national curriculum in science and geography as well as art, numeracy, literacy, citizenship.

Dungeness is the largest shingle formation of its kind in Europe and supports an internationally important community of plants and animals.

In spring and summer you can see dragonflies and butterflies, listen for marsh frogs calling from the lakes and enjoy the colourful display of wildflowers.

The reserve is open daily (except December 25 and 26) from 9 am-9 pm (or sunset if earlier). The visitor centre is open from 10am-5pm (4pm November - February).

RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members free. Non-members: adults £3, concessions £2, under 16s £1, families (up to two adults and four children) £6

For directions to the reserve and for more information visit: www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness.