Contents We are very much looking forward to welcoming you. Before your arrival please do read our COVID information which you can find here as there are a few simple things we need from you the moment, thank you very much. Our check-in and check-out times are 3.30pm and 10.30am. You are more than welcome to enjoy the Reserve and the facilities from 10am on your arrival day until 4pm on your departure day. Please do let us know your plans so we know how many guests are onsite. Arrival: At the entry gate please buzz, and it is then a two mile drive through the Nature Reserve to the farm. Please drive slowly up the long drive, and straight into the large car park, past the cottage (on your right). Please turn left immediately into the smaller car park on your left where Kingshill Barn is.. On arrival please do pop into the barn to say hello and we will talk you through arrival information. If you need anything, please call or text 07930 847520. The office is staffed 9am-5pm but you can reach our out of hours on our emergency number which is 07538592146 Here are a few things to know about your stay: • Please be aware we have other guests staying onsite so stick to any paths and keep an eye out for signs • To ensure your fellow guests relax in peace please avoid walking in front of the huts and tents • The nature reserve footpath is via the main car park. It is around 30mins walk to the first hides and 3 miles in total to the furthest hide, Spitend. As we are based in a National Nature Reserve, please keep to the footpaths, close any gates and please don’t go too close to the water in front of your hut to avoid disturbing the wildlife. • The gate code for the entrance gate is on your keys so please use this to let yourselves in and out. On departure, please come to the barn to say goodbye and settle up for any extras as necessary. * There will be a fee for unarranged late check outs, to ensure we have enough time for our hard-working housekeepers to change over the hut for our next guests staying. Food and drink is available from Kingshill Barn, which is staffed from 7:30am until 10pm. We will offer a tea and coffee drop off to your room at 8am, followed by breakfast service downstairs from 8:30am until 9:30am. Our seasonal evening menu is served from 6pm until 9pm, please do book your table in advance. Snacks, drinks, lunches and light bites are available between these times. All water onsite is drinkable so do help yourself from any tap. Bottled water is available to buy. Each bathroom has products from Bramley, towels are provided alongside fluffy bath robes. Please use his room to leave all muddy boots and wet coats. If you are heading out for a walk, you are able to access the reserve from this room. 4G can be picked up around Elmley. There is free wi-fi access in The Farmhouse however, we do recommend you try and switch off! Babies are very welcome at Elmley. Travel cots, highchairs, toys and books are available for your children to use. We don’t offer any particular activities for children but they do have a huge amount of space and fresh air and will enjoy watching the tractors and watching our chickens, who live with some lovely Indian Running Ducks! It is a long walk to our hides for little legs so do set off prepared with snacks, raincoat and water. For babies an off-road pram or baby carrier is advised. As we are a working farm with farm machinery please ensure children are supervised at all times when you are out and about. Do be extra careful around any water as the ditches and ponds are very deep. We are open to visitors on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The opening days and hours vary depending on the time of year, so please let us know before your stay when you expect to arrive. If the gate is ever closed please use the gate code or just buzz the intercom and we can let you in. As the Reserve is protected for conservation guests are not permitted to roam freely across the marsh but must stick to the allocated footpaths, please just ask if you are not sure. Being a working farm and a marsh there are some risk on site, please be aware of the risks and ensure children are supervised at all times. The ditches and ponds are deep and very dangerous and so paddling is forbidden. Please do not enter fields with closed gates and livestock. In order to avoid any negative impact to the wildlife at Elmley we have a Code of Conduct that we ask guests to adhere to. Please ensure that you take a couple of minutes to read this and do ask if you have any questions. 9am – 5pm – 07930847520 Emergency contact – 07538592146 Elmley is a great base for exploring the many well-known areas and attractions across Kent: the historic town market town of Faversham, known for its antiques shops, markets and the creek with its historic barges and shipyard (25mins); Whitstable for its seafood and vintage shopping (35min); Leeds Castle (25mins) with its beautiful and family-friendly setting; Canterbury (30mins); and the Turner Contemporary in Margate with its fun and arty old town (45mins). Closer to home, Sheppey is an historic island and has some fascinating places to visit, including Blue Town with its splendid Georgian Naval Terrace in Sheerness, Queenborough’s fishing harbour, and water-sports at Barton’s Point Coastal Park. For more nature and walks you can watch raptors from Capel Fleet or visit the Swale National Nature Reserve to catch a glimpse seals basking on the sands in the Swale. There are plenty of local beaches to explore but our recommendations in the island are: • Minster Leas - walk along the shore and find a quiet spot underneath the cliffs • Shellness - this beautiful, remote beach is made of tiny seashells! Access is through Leysdown and down a very bumpy track (not suitable for all cars). Please note Shellness is a naturist beach so probably not one to visit on busy Summer days! • Or go fossil hunting at Warden Point. If you’re after vast sandy beaches take a longer drive to the Thanet coast with the gorgeous beaches at Broadstairs, Botany Bay and Joss Bay. You are advised to check in advance and pre-book inline with government guidance. On the Island: • Ferry House Inn, Harty. A beautiful rural setting on Sheppey, this pub makes a good lunch stop during a walk or a cycle ride and you can even seal spot from its beautiful terrace. Pub grub and a friendly atmosphere. 20mins drive. Do call in advance as they are closed on certain days. www.theferryhouseinn.co.uk 01795 510214. • Phillipa Bistro Café, Queenborough. A friendly, family-run bistro serving homemade food in the nearby fishing village of Queenborough. www.queenphillipa.com 01795 228756. • Admiral’s Arm Micropub, Trafalgar Court, West Street, Queenborough. A fun micropub with real ales, nice wines and good atmosphere. Bar snacks are also available. www.admiralsarms.co.uk 01795 668598. • The Old House at Home, 1 High Street, Queenborough. A good local pub for a pint, overlooking the water. • Bosuns, Queenborough. Lovely tea room with gift shop. On the mainland: • Three Mariners, Oare. Located near to Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, this cosy pub has excellent food (booking recommended). (25mins drive) www.thethreemarinersoare.co.uk 01795 533 633 • The Ship, Conyer. This lovely pub is good for drinkers and diners alike and overlooks a pretty marina. It is located just over the water from us, but is a 20mins drive around the Swale www.shipinnconyer.co.uk 01795 520881 • Sportsman, Seasalter (nr Whitstable). The longer (30mins) drive is entirely worth it. Absolutely wonderful locally sourced or foraged food in a friendly and relaxed old pub setting. Michelin star well-deserved! Book well in advance. www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk 01227 273370 • The Plough, Stalisfield. This is further away (40mins), but if you’re heading back on the M20 it is worth the detour for the best Sunday roast! Booking needed. www.theploughinnstalisfield.co.uk 01795 890256 • Barn Yard, Upchurch. Great farm shop with café and restaurant (evening opening only on Fri & Sat), good quality, seasonal food. (20mins drive) www.the-barnyard.com • Macknade, Faversham – an excellent farm shop and café, open in the day for light bites and scrumptious cakes. Also holds regular supper clubs. www.macknade.com (Great Instagram to whet your appetite! @macknade) We are open to visitors on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The opening hours vary depending on the time of year, so please let us know before your stay when you expect to arrive. If the gate is ever closed just buzz the intercom and we can let you in. As the Reserve is protected for conservation guests are not permitted to roam freely across the marsh but must stick to the allocated footpaths, please just ask if you are not sure. Being a working farm and a marsh there are some risk on site, please be aware of the risks and ensure children are supervised at all times. The ditches and ponds are deep and very dangerous and so paddling is forbidden. Please do not enter fields with closed gates and livestock.