Dungeness Circular Walk
Explore this wonderful coastal nature reserve on this circular walk in Kent. The reserve contains a number of lakes and lagoons with several miles of good footpaths to follow around the expansive site. There's also coastal paths with great views of the sea and the long stretch of shingle beach. The reserve is superb for wildlife watching with lots of birds to look out for. Keep your eyes peeled for lapwings, smew, bittern and little ringed plover from one of the many bird hides. There's also over 600 different types of plant species. The RSPB site has good facilities with a car park and visitor centre.
You can start the walk from the car park off Dungeness Road, about a mile east of Lydd. From here you can pick up the trails taking you around the lakes to the coast. The path then heads south along Broomhill Sands to the village of Lydd-on-Sea, the lifeboat station and the lighthouse. The route then follows path across Denge Beach back to the car park. On this section you pass the nuclear power stations which warm the water in the area attracting large numbers of birds.
Also of intrest is the The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. The narrow gauge railway was built in 1927 and is a fun way to see the area.
To extend your walk you can pick up the England Coast Path and follow it west to Camber Sands and Rye Harbour. Here you will find saltmarsh, lagoons, grazing marsh, shingle and reedbeds with a huge variety of flora and fauna.
You can also head to the nearby New Romney and explore Romney Marsh.
Postcode
TN29 9NE - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsDungeness Ordnance Survey Map 
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Dungeness Open Street Map 
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Dungeness OS Map 
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Dungeness Open Street Map 
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Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Dymchurch Walk starts in the nearby town. It passes along the coast through St Mary's Bay, Littlestone, Romney Sands, Greatstone-on-Sea and Lydd-on-Sea before coming to the reserve.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Kent Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Dungeness Old Light and Power Station. Looking west towards the old lighthouse and the nuclear power station. Circular building in the centre is the site of an earlier light.
The flora here is composed mainly of salt–tolerant species that thrive in the harsh, nutrient–poor conditions. Common plants include sea thrift (Armeria maritima), sea rocket (Cakile maritima), and various dune grasses, along with specialised mosses and lichens that colonise the shingle and disturbed ground.
All the built landscape elements of Dungeness are here: the characteristic beach houses, many of which are converted from old railway carriages, the old lighthouse next to the round base of an even older lighthouse and the nuclear power station in the background with its complex network of overhead lines. Many of the houses have no obvious boundaries on the ground and much of the surrounding land is a nature reserve.
Prospect Cottage. The former home of the film maker Derek Jarman.
The Round House. Beyond its ecological significance, Dungeness is of considerable geological and conservation interest. It is one of the largest areas of shingle habitat in Europe, a dynamic landscape that is continuously reshaped by coastal processes. The site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is part of the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay National Nature Reserve, reflecting its value for both biodiversity and ongoing coastal research. The unique mix of natural habitats and the ever-changing coastal environment make Dungeness a key location for conservation efforts and a compelling destination for those interested in coastal geomorphology and wildlife.
Part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve (NNR) that has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the important fragile shingle habitat. The picture is taken looking towards the sea in an area of Sea Kale, which although being abundant at Dungeness is a rare species and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Walkers on the boardwalk over the Shingle Beach. The boardwalk makes walking a lot easier. The fauna at Dungeness is notable for its importance to coastal birds and invertebrates. The intertidal and saltmarsh zones attract wading birds such as dunlins, redshanks, and curlews during migration and winter. Gulls and terns are commonly seen, and the area also supports several rare and nationally important invertebrate species that have adapted to the shingle environment. In addition, occasional marine mammals, including seals, may be observed along the coast.
Boats on the shingle
Lake at the site.