The 2,000-acre ‘island of
sheep’ lies on the south bank of the River Thames
at the mouth of the River Medway. Separated from
the mainland by the River Swale, it is about 10
miles long and eight miles wide and is joined by a
bridge. Sheep still graze here on reclaimed
pastures. Its northern edge is lined with beaches
(including a naturist beach). Most of Britain’s
imported cars reach us via Sheerness docks at the
island’s north western tip. Sheppey is a haven for
birds and has an RSPB site at Elmley Marshes, as
well as the Swale National Nature Reserve.
