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Greatstone Lakes
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Greatstone Lakes are located in the Dungeness National Nature Reserve in Greatstone, to the west of the village. (see map, right) The two lakes, known as the north and south lakes, are man made in so far as they are old gravel pits. In the 1970s the extraction of the gravel on the now nature reserve was an important industry, supplying gravel for sea defences and road building, amongst other things. The lakes were formed by the extraction of a million tons of gravel over four years from an 89 acre site behind the holiday park.(see 1974 Newspaper Article Re Objections to the Gravel Extraction below) The gravel was excavated and transported by conveyer belt that used to run from the Sound Mirrors eastwards, going under the old Southern Region railway line to the road. The old bridge where the two lines crossed still exists today (2009). See Railway Stations at Greatstone for more information. Wildlife When the extraction ceased, the two large gravel pits were returned to nature and over time they have become two of the most beautiful water based habitats, covering an area of about 25 acres, for birds, other wildlife, fauna and flora. The area around the lakes attracts walkers, bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Examples of the wildlife in the lakes are the famous Medicinal Leech, with the Greatstone Lakes being one of the best sites on the Romney Marsh and hence in Britain for this species. Birds in the winter include the smew, other ducks, divers and grebes, marsh harriers and bittern. Roosting waders from Greatstone Beach use the lakes. Birds in the summer include the marsh harrier, duck, swan and cuckoo. Plenty of Marsh frogs – Laughing Frogs. The lakes are a very good site for them and also one for the leeches and dragonflies. Fishing is not allowed on either of then two lakes. Sound Mirrors The Sound Mirrors are three large concrete structures, built in the 1920s and 1930s, as part of an early warning system for Britain to detect enemy aircraft. The mirrors are situated on an island in between the two lakes. They are private and only accessible on guided walks, albeit they can be seen quite clearly from the east side of the larger lake. Access to the Nature Reserve There are two public footpaths providing access to the nature reserve. The first runs from near the south end of Leonard Road between two houses and the second from the west end of Taylor Road. (see the map on the right the public footpaths are the two dotted green lines running east and west below the lakes) Access to the reserve is also possible from the end of Coleville Crescent and Hull Road, both west off Leonard Road. Walk almost west across the shingle and cross one of the two styles on to the what used to be the old railway track (see Greatstone on Sea Station). From here, the lakes are to the north (See Greatstone Map). Alternatively, you can park in the car park in The Parade just past Hull Road, walk westwards down Taylor Road and then follow the signs for The Mirrors. Further Information For more information about the nature reserve and dunes, please visit the Dungeness National Nature Reserve and/or the Romney Marsh Countryside Project and/or the RSPB Reserve Dungeness websites. Videos
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1974 Newspaper Article Re Objections to the Gravel Extraction
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