Top 5 Things to do Good for Kids in Dungeness, England

Dungeness Lifeboat Station in Kent guards the Channel from Folkestone to Rye Bay and was the first to receive the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat. The Morrell was named on 31 May 2014 by HRH The Princess Royal. The station has a rich history, in 1940, the Dungeness lifeboat was one of 19 that took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk in northern France. Through the 1950s the station was famous for its Lady Launchers - local women who helped haul the lifeboat down to the sea, and recover her. Free of Charge Group visits can be arranged for Adult Groups explaining the history of the Station and tour. During shop opening hours, staff permitting, the Lifeboat can be viewed inside the Station. We look forward to seeing you.

If you haven't been to Dungeness, nothing can quite prepare you for the landscape – mile after mile of shingle, which is wild and a little weird! On a cold winter's day, it is a delight to sit snug in the visitor centre and look out through a huge picture window at all the water birds on the large gravel pit just outside. Often a rare grebe or diver is among them, and it is perhaps the best place in the UK for watching the delightful smew. During the summer, the reserve is awash with vibrant wildflowers which provide food for all sorts of insects including many different species of butterfly and bumblebee! Listen to the chorus of the marsh frogs in the reedbeds and look out for sunbathing grass snakes too! The nature trails lead around a series of hides where there is an excellent chance of seeing bitterns and bearded tits in winter. There is plenty to be seen at other times too. Dungeness's position, jutting into the English Channel, makes it ideally placed to watch for migrant birds arriving or departing, with wheatears, swallows, martins and warblers regularly seen. Families are always welcome at RSPB Dungeness and a huge range of family friendly activities goes on throughout the year. Use a Wildlife Explorer rucksack (free of charge) to explore the reserve and the children's trail on your own or join one of our events to get expert tuition on activities such as pond dipping, minibeasts, bird watching or being a nature detective to name just a few. Family events run throughout the school holidays; children must be accompanied by an adult. The reserve is open daily (except December 25 and 26) from 9am- 9pm (or sunset if earlier). The visitor centre is open from 10am-5pm (4pm November - February).