Monkton Nature Reserve
Supported by Thanet District Council
 
Opening Times at Monkton Reserve

The reserve is now open from May to September on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Friday and Saturday, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Visit our new BLOG and News pages

Observing the Moon at Monkton Observatory

16 th October 7 pm – 10-30 pm

£3.00 a head

This East Kent reserve is set in 16 beautiful acres of abandoned chalk quarry, which has been dramatically reclaimed by nature. It features many important habitats, fascinating geology and rare orchids. We also house the Thanet Observatory and the first artificial bat cave built in the UK. Facilities include a well equipped field centre with a large reference library, bookshop and picnic site.

Our Latest Newsletter can be downloaded here in PDF format.

Click here to download in MS Word format

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Forthcoming Programme at Monkton Observatory

Monthly Observing session: 2nd Friday of the month (starts around 8.30 pm)

The September monthly session is cancelled. The next session is on October 8th.

Observing the Moon: 16 th October 7 pm – 10-30 pm

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2011 Pride Tourism Awards

Celebrating Kent - Award Nominations
Who made your Visit to Kent extra special?

Have you encountered a friendly, helpful receptionist, waitress, bar person, taxi or coach driver? Nominate a tourism, hospitality or leisure employee for a Pride Tourism Award and you could win £50 in gift vouchers.

Online nomination and full details

 

News
Lots of Painted Lady Butterflies, part of the mass migration from Europe, and several sighting of our Water Voles.
View of Monkton Nature Reserve You can now take a tour of Monkton Nature Reserve from the comfort of your own home. See our new 360° image of the reserve HERE.
Man orchid floret

Orchids finished flowering for this year

Full orchid details HERE

Book shop fully open! 1000s of books on all subjects. Cheap prices. Donations of books always welcome. All profits go to the reserve. Second Hand Book Shop - Monkton Nature Reserve
Adder's Tongue Fern

Unusual or rare plants on the reserve. Nostoc commune (Terrestial algae); Adder's Tongue Fern; Common Stonecrop (Chara vulgaris)

 

Recent Sightings on the Reserve

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image

 
Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Green Hairstreak
Callophrys rubi

The start of Mistletoe growth
Viscum album

Growing Mistletoe

Bordered Sallow
Pyrrhia umbra
Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Grass Snake
Natrix natrix

Grass Snake
Natrix natrix

Seen Recently Species List >>>


See More Images from the Reserve >>>

 
Tel: 01843 822666 | monkton@mnr.manston.net

Thanet Countryside Trust | Registered Charity 285972