In 1688 King James II was captured in the Elmley Marshes by local fishermen while trying to flee to France and was held overnight at Kingshill Farmhouse.
In 1854 century the Elmley Cement Works (also known as the Turkey Cement Works) was built on the west coast of Elmley. The workers lived in a small village on the island with c35 houses. There was also a school, a pub and a church. The village was located half a mile due west of Kingshill Farm. After the cement works closed in 1901 the village died. The church was demolished in the 1960s, although one or two gravestones remain but the ruins of the school can still be seen.
The island is a National Nature Reserve. When I visited on Christmas Eve 2011 it was managed by the RSPB, but it is now managed by the private landowner. I'm not a great bird watcher but I saw a curlew and lots of lapwings. There is a public toilet at the car park, which is 2 miles down a rough track. The track comes off the B2231 near the Kingsferry Bridge. It is not accessible from the new Sheppey Crossing. Dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed. There is currently (11/2023) an admission charge of £8 per adult. You are asked stay in your car on the entrance track to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
Avocets, curlews, golden plovers, teals, pintails, dunlins, yellow wagtails, redshanks, starlings, oystercatchers, merlins, hen harriers, marsh harriers and short-eared owls can all be seen on the reserve.
In 1854 century the Elmley Cement Works (also known as the Turkey Cement Works) was built on the west coast of Elmley. The workers lived in a small village on the island with c35 houses. There was also a school, a pub and a church. The village was located half a mile due west of Kingshill Farm. After the cement works closed in 1901 the village died. The church was demolished in the 1960s, although one or two gravestones remain but the ruins of the school can still be seen.
The island is a National Nature Reserve. When I visited on Christmas Eve 2011 it was managed by the RSPB, but it is now managed by the private landowner. I'm not a great bird watcher but I saw a curlew and lots of lapwings. There is a public toilet at the car park, which is 2 miles down a rough track. The track comes off the B2231 near the Kingsferry Bridge. It is not accessible from the new Sheppey Crossing. Dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed. There is currently (11/2023) an admission charge of £8 per adult. You are asked stay in your car on the entrance track to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
Avocets, curlews, golden plovers, teals, pintails, dunlins, yellow wagtails, redshanks, starlings, oystercatchers, merlins, hen harriers, marsh harriers and short-eared owls can all be seen on the reserve.
The Dray - looking west from the road
Mound near Kingshill Farm - not sure what it is for!
Kings Hill Farm and Car Park
The Dray - looking east from the road
Kingshill Farmhouse
Kingshill Farmhouse
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