Isle of Sheppey

The Isle of Sheppey is one of a series of three islands in the Thames Estuary, which is off the coast of Kent, in south-east England. Sheppey is separated from the mainland by a channel called the Swale, which was historically used as a natural haven for shipping heading to local ports. This is an island of 36 miles square, consisting largely of marshland, on which the primary industry has always been in grazing land for sheep, from which its name is derived. The island is popular as a quiet, seaside retreat, as well as being of particular interest to amateur collectors of fossils, and bird watchers, as there is a reserve on Elmley Marshes, which is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

There are several towns and villages on the island, some with pebble or sandy beaches, including a naturist beach near Shellness. The island offers a good choice of quality holiday accommodation, with several caravan parks and holiday homes, good shopping prospects and a variety of entertainment venues.