About
Looking for somewhere to walk your dog on the Isle of Sheppey? Barton’s Point Coastal Park is a lovely spot to add whilst exploring the coast.
Set beside the coast on the Isle of Sheppey, the 40-acre park combines open grassy spaces, a salt-water lake and access to the seafront. It isn’t the sort of place where you need to plan a full day’s hike. Instead, it’s somewhere you can turn up, stretch your legs, and let your dog enjoy plenty of new smells.
And because the park sits right beside the coast, you can easily combine a visit with a walk along the beach.
Dog Access and Rules
Dogs are welcome, but it’s worth keeping them close around busier areas and the water, particularly if they’re interested in birds.
Things To See & Do
The biggest attraction for dogs is the space.
There are open areas around the lake, plenty to sniff and explore, and the coastal setting adds another layer of interest. The park covers around 40 acres and includes walking and cycling routes, wildlife, a lake, and picnic areas.
It’s also a relatively flat place to walk, which makes it ideal for an easy outing rather than a challenging countryside hike.
For an easy-going dog walk, the lake is a natural place to start. The salt-water lake is one of the park’s main features and is used for water sports. There is also a footbridge across the historic Queenborough Lines.
The Queenborough Lines (fortified lines) were Royal Commission fortifications protecting Sheerness dockyard from land attack, built 1863-1868 with additional defences and air-raid shelters constructed during World War II.
Swans and other wildlife share the lake, and a curious dog can quickly get itself into trouble if it decides that chasing birds is today’s big adventure.
If your dog has a strong prey drive or likes to investigate water, a lead is the sensible option.
One of the best things about Barton’s Point is its position.
The park sits beside the sea, between Sheerness and Minster Leas Beaches, so your visit doesn’t have to finish when you’ve walked around the park. You can head towards the coast and continue your adventure along the seafront.
For dogs who love a good sniff and a change of scenery, this combination works particularly well.
Access and Facilities
The park has a cafe beside the lake, picnic areas and family facilities. There’s also an adventure playground and miniature steam railway, although dogs should stay out of the designated children’s play areas and other dog-exclusion zones.
