Church Road, Oare, near Faversham, Kent ME13 0QA
Oare Marshes
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
7.4
Wildland
1–2 hours for a short visit
Time
Paid parking
Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.4Grazing marsh, reedbed, freshwater dykes, open-water scrapes, saltmarsh and seawall come together in a reserve of international importance for wetland birds.
Oare Marshes earns its place for the breadth of its wetland habitats and the birdlife they support: a walk here moves through grazing marsh, reedbed, open water and saltmarsh, with hides for watching without leaving the paths.
Big-sky · Wild · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapChurch Road, Oare, near Faversham, Kent ME13 0QA
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The experience
Follow the circular paths, pause at the viewing hides and look across the reserve’s patchwork of marsh, reedbed and open water. Keep to the paths to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Things to do
Watch from the viewing hides
Pause at the reserve’s viewing hides and scan the wetland birds. The birding source describes two hides; Kent Wildlife Trust confirms viewing hides are available.
Walk the circular paths
Explore the reserve on its circular footpaths, keeping to the routes to protect habitats and avoid disturbing wildlife.
The separately published Oare Marshes Circular is 5 miles (8 km).
Look across the changing wetland habitats
Notice the contrasts between grazing marsh, freshwater dykes, open-water scrapes, reedbed, saltmarsh and seawall.
Watch for seasonal wetland birds
The supplied birding guide lists different seasonal possibilities, including ducks and grebes in winter, Bearded Tit and Avocet in spring, and waders and passing migrants in autumn. Sightings are not guaranteed.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; suggested duration, not an official estimate
Quick escape: hides and marsh views
- 01
Start from the reserve access at Church Road, Oare; confirm parking and current access before setting off.
- 02
Follow the circular footpaths and stop at a viewing hide to watch the wetland.
- 03
Return by the paths, keeping to the permitted route and avoiding disturbance to wildlife.
Half day · Allow a half day; route is 5 miles (8 km), with no supplied duration
Half day: complete the Oare Marshes circular
- 01
Use the Oare Marshes Circular route, listed as a 5-mile (8 km) circular walk starting at postcode ME13 0PY.
- 02
Follow the circular paths and make time for the viewing hides and the reserve’s different wetland habitats.
- 03
Check route conditions, parking and access before travelling; wet conditions can affect access to the east hide.
Hidden details
A rare remnant of Kent grazing marsh — Kent Wildlife Trust describes the grazing marsh as one of the few remaining examples in Kent.
Grazing animals on the reserve — Kent Wildlife Trust says Sussex and Sussex Angus cross cattle are present all year. A supplied birding guide also reports Konik horses; check current site information for animal presence.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied birding guide describes different seasonal bird possibilities and highlights autumn and winter for birdwatching. Kent Wildlife Trust notes that wet conditions can affect access to the east hide.
After wet weather, the circuit to the east hide may not be possible. Check current conditions and access before travelling.
The route
- stiles
- Explore Kent lists 3 step instances; Kent Wildlife Trust reports RADAR gates.
- surface
- Not specified for the full route. The path to the sea hide is level and surfaced with compacted roadstone.
- distance
- 5 miles (8 km) for the Oare Marshes Circular
- difficulty
- Easy; source describes flat terrain
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- Oare Marshes Circular start postcode ME13 0PY (Explore Kent); reserve address is Church Road, Oare.
- parking start
- Kent Wildlife Trust lists charged parking at the reserve. Confirm current arrangements and the relationship between parking and the published route start before setting out.
- Viewing hides
- Grazing marsh, freshwater dykes, open-water scrapes, reedbed and saltmarsh
- Seawall
What to look for
- 01
Look for birds using the grazing marsh, freshwater dykes, open-water scrapes and reedbeds. Kent Wildlife Trust also notes year-round grazing cattle
- 02
the supplied birding source reports Konik horses.
Best time to go
All year; autumn and winter are highlighted for birdwatching, while spring and summer bring different breeding and migrant species.
Autumn and winter are highlighted by the supplied birding source for birdwatching. Visit with time to scan the marsh from the hides; species vary with season.
How long to spend
1–2 hours for a short visit; allow longer for the 5-mile circular walk
Perfect for
Birdwatching · Wildlife lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Kent Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times. Stay on the circular footpaths and use the viewing hides. Access can be seasonal for wheelchair users; in wet conditions, the circuit to the east hide may not be possible.
Parking
Kent Wildlife Trust lists charged parking: £2.50 on weekdays and £3.50 at weekends. The source row also gives the reserve address as Church Road, Oare. Confirm current parking arrangements before travelling.
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be on leads and kept to the public right of way. Keep dogs out of the water, ditches and saltmarsh habitat.
Accessibility
Seasonally accessible for wheelchair users. Kent Wildlife Trust reports RADAR gates and a level, compacted-roadstone surface to the sea hide; wet conditions can prevent completing the circuit to the east hide. Check current conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid parking; reserve entry cost not confirmed
Water
Freshwater dykes, open-water scrapes and saltmarsh; swimming and paddling permissions are not established.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Oare Marshes
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.6Eastchurch Aviation Museum
Eastchurch, Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
5.9 km away
Place photograph7.1Bigbury Camp
Howfield Wood, near Upper Harbledown, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7NG
12.5 km away
