Located off the northern coast of Kent, Sheppey, derived from an old English word meaning ‘Sheep Island’ was an important area of high ground to the people of the neolithic and bronze ages, but there stops the normalcy. In keeping with her unconventionality is the island’s weird and sometimes bloody history of Vikings raids, murdered monks and the attempted clandestine escape of King James II.
Elmley Nature reserve
Nowadays the island is seen as a sleepy and remote backwater, but if you take more than a glance at her you’ll discover beauty of the kind seen in Brontë’s Yorkshire moors. A large portion of the 36 square mile island is covered by two nature reserves. The Swale National Nature Reserve forms part of the coastal marshlands of North Kent and is a special protection area home to many rare and uncommon migrant moths and butterflies. Salt marshes, grazing marshes and creeks provide the feeding and roosting areas for large numbers of wildfowl and waders, which can be viewed in hides and along coastal walks. Elmley National Nature Reserve is an internationally important freshwater grazing marsh wetland renowned for significant populations of over-wintering and breeding birds, and also hare, water voles, rare invertebrates and flora.
Elmley Nature Reserve
The islands’ peaceful wilderness and big skies can be enjoyed walking or cycling along many of the island’s routes. For those with an artistic flair, this affords the opportunity to paint or photograph some breathtaking scenes. For those that are more adventurous, there is the opportunity for kayaking, sailing or kiting on many of the islands beaches, the four main beaches being - Sheerness Beach, Leysdown Beach, Minster Leas Beach and Shellness Beach. Some of the coastline is home to historical landmarks such as Garrison Point Fort a former artillery fort built in the 1860s, Grain Tower a mid-19th-century gun tower situated offshore just east of Grain, Grain Tower Battery built in the 1860s to support the nearby Grain Tower, or if you venture further inland you will find the likes of Shurland Hall which was constructed in the first half of the 16th century and hosted Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1532, and Minster Gatehouse Museum which is housed in a Grade 1 listed building over 1000 years old and is full of interesting artifacts.
Grain Tower Battery
Due to the quieter pace of life on the island, you won’t find a pumping club scene here. However, there is a thriving strong community to be enjoyed and what better place to do that than in the islands great selection of pubs and bars with evening entertainment including live bands, discos and karaoke nights. There are also many coastal and beach cafes as well as restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines for family lunches and evenings out.
You’ll never be bored here as there is plenty to do on the island with lots of local amenities including Sheppey Leisure Complex, swimming pool, a Yacht club, several museums, sporting clubs including archery, boating, shooting, and golf, a hospital, plenty of supermarkets as well as a selection of all the high street favorites and independent shops.
If you think commuting is out of the question, think again. The Island is already beginning to see an influx of former city dwellers looking for more space and clean air wanting to put down roots in a place by the sea.
London - 90 mins by car, 90 mins by train
Canterbury - 45 mins by car, 60 mins by train
Maidstone - 35 mins by car,
Rochester - 35 mins by car, 50 mins by train
Royal Tunbridge Wells - 60 mins by car
There are a good selection of schools on the island and the mainland close by. For those with older children, the Isle of Sheppey is not overly far from the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich, and UCA Rochester.
Pre-schools & Nurseries: Warden Bay Playgroup, Woodlands Nursery school, Seashells Nursery, Just Kidz, Early Birds Nursery at Richmond.
Primary schools: St Georges C of E Primary School, Eastchurch Church Of England Primary School, Minster-in-Sheppey Community Primary School, Eastchurch CE Primary School St Clements, Thistle Hill Academy Primary school, Halfway Houses Primary School, West Minster County Primary School, Rose Street Primary School, St Edward’s Catholic Primary School.
Independent school: Elliott Park School - nursery to 11 years.
Secondary schools: Westlands Secondary School, Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey Secondary school, The Sittingbourne School, Fulston Manor.
Jones Homes have been building new homes in the area for the past 20 years thanks to a forward-thinking local authority encouraging the construction of larger family-size homes to attract new residents to the area. Jones Homes are preparing to launch their Signature Collection at the Kingsborough Manor development in Eastchurch, considered one of the most prestigious new housing developments in Kent where more than 200 new homes have been built. More homes will be available soon at the Shurland Park development at Minster on Sea.
One of the new residents at Kingsborough Manor is former Londoner Shaun Brown, who moved there with his partner Gary McDonald and their husky Troy. The couple sold their two-bedroom flat in Hackney for more than £700,000, investing the proceeds in a new four-bedroom detached house, with money to spare for furnishings, a new car and more.
“There are amazing walking routes with the most beautiful views and the air is so much cleaner here. In London everyone is so busy that they don’t have the time to stop and appreciate what’s around them – whereas here, the people say hello and they sent us welcome cards when we moved in. It’s a different world.” Shaun Brown
Featured development: Plot 109 ‘The Lindow II’ is a 4 bedroom detached home with integral double garage. Priced from £565,000 and ready to move into. This home is beautifully light and airy with plenty of room for the whole family. The popular layout which combines space and style including an open-plan kitchen/family/dining room opens to the garden room, separate living room, utility room and cloakroom/WC to the ground floor. Upstairs you will find an en-suite to the master bedroom and a family bathroom with separate bath and shower. This home has a double garage and a block paved driveway. From Jones Homes.
“The Isle of Sheppey is one of Kent’s best-kept secrets. It has its own special island identity, which really draws the local community together, yet it’s more accessible than people might think, within easy reach of great transport links to other parts of Kent and London.” Sara Stanhope, Sales and Marketing Director for Jones Homes Southern