OPENING HOURS
The Reserve is open to both members and the general public on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Fridays during school holidays only), Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am-4.00pm. Last entry to the reserve is 3.00pm. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to open on Bank Holidays. Outside of these days and core hours, bookable sessions by arrangement on all other days.
Please contact: education@monkton-reserve.org
PRICES
We are a non-profit organisation, and all monies are put back into running the reserve and facilities for future generations.
Family
Adult
Child
BOOKING
No booking is required to visit the reserve other than for some family/children activity sessions during the main school holiday periods. Further information about these sessions can be found here.
PICNIC AND PLAY AREA
The main picnic and play area is close to the Field Study Centre, with more picnic tables located in the Willett Educational Garden and another one positioned at Kestrel View, near the entrance to Sparrowhawk Woods on the upper level of the Reserve. There are also several benches located throughout the reserve, where you can sit to relax and admire the varied views.
CABIN CAFE & GIFT SHOP
Take a break and relax in our Cabin Café. The view from the terrace is stunning. A great place to pick up a light snack and a range of reasonably priced refreshments. The room is also used for talks, presentations and as a classroom for visiting schools. We have a reasonably priced gift shop onsite too, full of ‘pocket money’ type gifts, hand-made items and cards.
EDUCATION
Education and Outreach
At Monkton Nature Reserve children and students can connect with nature and the outdoors through nature-related activities. We offer a wide range of safe, secure, and fun outdoor learning experience for all ages. Parents and teachers can connect that wonderful feeling that children have for nature while they are young with a developing sensitivity to the impact they can have on the Earth and a sense of environmental stewardship for how they can help protect it in the future. School sessions run in the morning and afternoon during the normal Reserve opening hours. If your travel plans mean that you require different timings, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.
A range of educational sessions are available for schools and other groups based on the National Curriculum. These sessions are suitable for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4. Please contact: education@monkton-reserve.org or call 01845 822666 to discuss your requirements.
All teaching resources are provided.
Maximum group size – 32 children.
When you visit, please follow these adults to student ratios:
Early Years/Foundation Stage – 1:4
Key Stage 1 & 2 – 1:6
Key Stage 3 & 4 – 1:10
SEN: 1:1 to 1:3 depending on group
Pond dipping in our Damselfly Pond
Led by our staff and expert volunteers, you and your students will get to explore the Nature Reserve and Field Study Centre, using our equipment, resources, and knowledge to learn about the environments, wildlife and heritage on site.
wALKS & TALKS
Access
We strive to make Monkton Nature Reserve as accessible as possible to all members of the public.
- Our pathway to the Environmental Educational Dome is fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams.
- We have two wheelchair-friendly viewing platforms that look over our lovely reserve.
- Free parking for people with disabilities is available next to the Field Study Centre.
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
On the reserve
- There are uneven, easy, and moderate slopes across the reserve.
- There are marked and un-marked paths.
- The reserve has a mixture of chalk, grass and loose wood chipping surfaces.
- There are two locations in the lower part of the reserve where there are a set of steps. Both sets have a handrail. Inability to use the steps will not restrict access to a particular part of the lower reserve as alternative routes are available in both cases.
- There are steps (about 30) with a handrail leading to the upper part of the reserve where the woodland is situated. Currently these steps provide the only access to the upper part of the reserve. Thanet Countryside Trust is working towards providing an additional easy access point to the upper part of the reserve.)
- There are several benches dotted around the reserve where a rest stop can be enjoyed.
- The picnic area and dome is accessible.
- There is timber decking around our smaller pond, Damselfly Pond, suitable for people who use wheelchairs.
Currently, access to the upper reserve for people who use wheelchairs is limited. We have developed our lower reserve for those with mobility difficulties and to make it more accessible for people with pushchairs. Developing accessible paths for people who use wheelchairs is high on our agenda.
Field Study Centre
- There is double-door access into the Field Study Centre via a ramp.
- There is level access to the toilets.
- We have toilets for people with disabilities.
- Lighting levels are medium in the Field Study Centre.