About Pegwell Bay Country Park

Nestled on the east coast of Kent, Pegwell Bay Country Park commands stunning views of Sandwich and Deal to the west and the cliffs of Ramsgate to the east. With a play area, picnic spot and mobile refreshments on top, it is a great destination for a family day out. The main park path is also perfect for bracing coastal walks and bike rides.

The park acts as the entrance to a nature reserve and the rare flora and fauna here make this an area of national importance. This stretch of windswept coastline includes chalk cliffs, mud flats, saltmarsh and sand dunes, and is an important habitat for bird species.

Visit Pegwell Country Park.

The Nature Reserve

The Nature Reserve is a Ramsar Site of International Importance and is a wonderful place to explore with lots to see at different times of the year. In the summer the grass is dotted with wild flowers such as orchids and broomrapes. In the winter the foreshore and mudflats attract thousands of wading birds, including dunlin, sanderling and grey plover. Birds of prey, such as Merlin, can also be seen at the site. Birdwatchers can use the public bird hide, which is also accessible for disabled visitors.

Sandwich and Pegwell Bay is home to spectacular bird life that is designated as a protected area under UK and EU legislation and is also considered a world class wetland.

However, people can easily disturb birds and prevent them feeding, resting or breeding. Authorities and local people need to work together to make sure the area continues to be a haven for the world’s birds.

How you can help the wildlife at Pegwell Bay (PDF, 453.8 KB)

Accessibility and easy access paths

The main path at Pegwell Bay is flat and wheelchair-friendly and allows you to navigate most of the park.

Walks

The main coast path from the car park is surfaced and flat and provides a great route for taking in the views of the bay. As part of the wider Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, it is also the perfect starting point to explore some of Kent’s most diverse wildlife.

Dog walking

Dogs are welcome at the site. When arriving in the car park dogs must be kept on leads. They are not permitted in the play area.

Dogs are allowed off the lead in other areas of the park but due to the sensitive nature of this important National Nature Reserve, they must always be kept under close control.

Please clear up after your dog and put waste in the bins provided.

Cycling

Pegwell Bay is a no cycling site. All routes are footpaths only, including the England Coast Path National trail. However running parallel to the A256 main road and through the site is the Sustrans National cycle network route number 15 which runs from Whitfield near Dover running north into the district of Thanet.

Let your children play

Children from the age of 3 will enjoy the fantastic play area at Pegwell Bay site.

Get fit at Pegwell Country Park

A weekly parkrun takes places place every Saturday at 9am. Visit the Pegwell Bay parkrun website for more information.

A brief history of Pegwell Bay Country Park

Pegwell Bay was a popular destination for Victorian holiday-makers, fossil hunters and rock poolers.

In the 19th Century, a pleasure pier was built to establish a seaside resort to rival nearby Ramsgate. This was not a success, however, and it was dismantled before the end of the century.

The park is on a former landfill site. After the site closed, the area was capped and landscaped and was re-opened as a picnic site by Kent County Council in 1983.

Park management

This park is managed by the Kent County Council Kent Country Parks team.

Read the Kent Country Parks strategy which sets out the aspirations for our Kent Country Parks service for the future.