Kent Wildlife Trust

Pegwell Bay

Pegwell Bay, which is part of Sandwich and Pegwell Bay nature reserve, may have been the site of Julius Caesar's landing in Britain in 54 BC.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is a conservation charity in the United Kingdom that was founded in 1958, previously known as the Kent Trust for Nature Conservation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It aims to "work with people to restore, save and improve our natural spaces" and to "ensure that 30% of Kent and Medway – land and sea – is managed to create a healthy place for wildlife to flourish".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2023, they have reported over 30,000 members and an annual income of £8 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> KWT manages over ninety nature reserves in Kent, of which thirty-seven are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, three are national nature reserves, five are Special Areas of Conservation, four are Special Protection Areas, six are local nature reserves, thirty-eight are in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one is a scheduled monument.

Kent is a county in the southeastern corner of England. It is bounded to the north by Greater London and the Thames Estuary, to the west by Sussex and Surrey, and to the south and east by the English Channel and the North Sea. The county town is Maidstone.<ref name=brit>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is governed by Kent County Council, with twelve district councils: Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham, Maidstone, Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells. Medway is geographically part of Kent but is a separate unitary authority.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The chalk hills of the North Downs run from east to west through the county, with the wooded Weald to the south. The coastline is alternately flat and cliff-lined.<ref name=brit/>

Nature reserves

Key

Public access

• FP = Access to footpaths only
• NO = No public access to the site
• YES = Free public access to all or most of the site
• PP = Public access to part of the site

Classifications

• AONB = Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• GCR = Geological Conservation Review site
• LNR = Local nature reserve
• NCR = Nature Conservation Review site
• NNR = National nature reserve
• Ramsar = Ramsar site, an internationally important wetland site
• SAC = Special Area of Conservation
• SM = Scheduled monument
• SPA = Special Protection Area
• SSSI = Site of Special Scientific Interest

Sites

Site	Photograph	AreaTemplate:Efn	LocationTemplate:Efn	Public access	Classifications	Description
Template:Anchor Ashford Warren and Hoads Wood<ref name=ash>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Ashford Warren	Template:Convert	Ashford Template:Coord {{#if:TR002439 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord|TR002439 _region:GB_scale:25000|TR002439 |name=}}}}	YES		This site has acid grassland, which is nationally rare, and mature woodland. There are also pools which have water violets, great crested newts and grass snakes.<ref name=ash/>
Template:AnchorBigbury Camp<ref name=big>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Bigbury Camp	Not available	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if: TR117577 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR117577 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR117577 |name=}}}}	YES	SM<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This Iron Age hillfort may have been the site of a battle when Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BC. It is now part of Howfield Wood.<ref name=big/>
Blue Bell Hill<ref name=blue>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Blue Bell Hill	Template:Convert	Chatham Template:Coord {{#if: TQ743621 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ743621 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ743621 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=blue/> NCR,<ref>Ratcliffe, p. 118</ref> SSSI<ref name=wtesssi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This hill has typical chalk grassland flora such as salad burnet, bird's foot trefoil and fairy flax. Butterflies include the chalk hill blue and brown argus.<ref name=blue/>
Brenchley Wood<ref name=brench>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Brenchley Wood	Template:Convert	Tonbridge Template:Coord {{#if: TQ648420 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ648420 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ648420 |name=}}}}	YES		This ancient wood is dominated by mature beech and oak trees. A former pine plantation in the north of the site is now being restored to heathland.<ref name=brench/>
Broadham Down<ref name=broad>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Broadham Down	Template:Convert	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if: TR085538 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR085538 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR085538 |name=}}}}	YES		This nature reserve has views over the Stour Valley. Three species of bat hibernate on the site, which has chalk grassland, woodland and scrub. Flowering plants include fragrant and common spotted orchids.<ref name=broad/>
Burham Down<ref name=burd>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Burham Down	Template:Convert	Rochester Template:Coord {{#if: TQ735624 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ735624 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ735624 |name=}}}}	Template:Abbr	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=sssiwd>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NCR,<ref name="Ratcliffe, p. 47">Ratcliffe, p. 47</ref> SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has woodland, chalk grassland, and two chalk pits which provide shelter for birds in the winter and breeding sites in the summer. Woodland flora include orchids.<ref name=burd/>
Burham Marsh<ref name=burm>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Burham Marsh	Template:Convert	Rochester Template:Coord {{#if: TQ714615 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ714615 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ714615 |name=}}}}	Template:Abbr	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	These tidal reedbeds on the River Medway provide habitats for waterfowl and waders such as kingfishers, cormorants, herons and geese.<ref name=burm/>
Template:AnchorCollingwood<ref name=coll>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Collingwood	Template:Convert	Cranbrook Template:Coord {{#if: TQ760292|{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ760292_region:GB_scale:25000| TQ760292|name=}}}}	YES		This reserve is woodland which has many exotic species as well as native trees. It is centred on a lake which has water lilies and bulrushes.<ref name=coll/>
Conningbrook Lakes Country Park<ref name=conn>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Conningbrook Lakes Country Park	Template:Convert	Ashford Template:Coord {{#if: TR028436 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR028436 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR028436 |name=}}}}	YES		There are three lakes in these former gravel pits, and other habitats are ponds, a river, grassland and wet woodland. In the winter there are migratory wildfowl and wetland birds such as wigeon, tufted duck and gadwall.<ref name=conn/>
Cowden Pound Pastures<ref name=cow>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Cowden Pound Pastures	Template:Convert	Edenbridge Template:Coord {{#if: TQ459433 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ459433 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ459433 |name=}}}}	NO	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This small valley has neutral grassland, ancient woodland and marshes. The middle field has one of the largest populations of devil's bit scabious in Kent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cromers Wood<ref name=crom>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Cromers Wood	Template:Convert	Sittingbourne Template:Coord {{#if: TQ906604 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ906604 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ906604 |name=}}}}	YES		This ancient semi-natural wood is located on the south-east slope of a dry valley. Most of it is sweet chestnut coppice with oak standards.<ref name=crom/>
Template:AnchorDarland Banks<ref name=dar>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Darland Banks	Template:Convert	Gillingham Template:Coord {{#if:TQ792654 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord|TQ792654 _region:GB_scale:25000|TQ792654 |name=}}}}	YES	LNR<ref name=lnrdar>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This area of chalk grassland has diverse fauna and flora, including the largest population of man orchids in Britain. There are birds such as willow warbler, yellowhammer, linnet and lesser whitethroat.<ref name=dar/><ref name=lnrdar/>
Downe Bank<ref name=downe>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Downe Bank	Template:Convert	Orpington Template:Coord {{#if: TQ438609 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ438609 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ438609 |name=}}}}	YES	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Charles Darwin, who lived locally, carried out scientific research on the chalk grassland site, and it was the first to be purchased by the KWT in 1962.<ref name=downe/>
Template:AnchorEast Blean Wood<ref name=east>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	East Blean Wood	Template:Convert	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if: TR194642 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR194642 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR194642 |name=}}}}	YES	NCR,<ref name=ebw>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NNR<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=nnr>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SAC<ref name=bleansac>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref name=ebw/>	This site has mixed coppice with some mature oaks. Insects include the rare and protected heath fritillary butterfly, and there is a wide variety of woodland birds.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:AnchorFackenden Down<ref name=fack>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Fackenden Down	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ531605 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ531605 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ531605 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=facksssi/> SSSI<ref name=facksssi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site is mainly chalk grassland, with some woodland and scrub. There are a variety of orchids, and butterflies such as the brown argus, common blue and dark green fritillary.<ref name=fack/>
Template:Anchor Template:Sortname<ref name=gill>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The Gill	Template:Convert	Cranbrook Template:Coord {{#if: TQ728385 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ728385 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ728385 |name=}}}}	NO		This site has been planted with sweet chestnut, which dominates most of it. Flora includes bluebells, early purple orchids and marsh-marigold.<ref name=gill/>
Hewitt's Chalk Bank<ref name=hew>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Hewitt's Chalk Bank	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ480629 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ480629 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ480629 |name=}}}}	NO		This former refuse tip has a large mound which is the soil from the excavation of a railway tunnel. Habitats are grassland and scrub, and unusual flora include grass vetchling and dark mullein.<ref name=hew/>
Holborough Marshes<ref name=hol>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Holborough Marshes	Template:Convert	Snodland Template:Coord {{#if: TQ707626 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ707626 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ707626 |name=}}}}	YES	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The marshes have a variety of wetland habitats; freshwater marshes, woodland, brackish and tidal reedbeds, wet grassland, scrub, and freshwater and saline dykes. Flowers include the grey mouse-ear.<ref name=hol/>
Hothfield Heathlands<ref name=hoth>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Hothfield Heathlands	Template:Convert	Ashford Template:Coord {{#if: TQ972458 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ972458 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ972458 |name=}}}}	YES	LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has areas of heath and the best valley bog in the county, both habitats which are uncommon in Kent. Over a thousand insect species have been recorded, several of which are nationally rare, such as the bee Lasioglossum semilucens and the cranefly Tipula holoptera.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:AnchorIvy Hatch<ref name=ivy>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Ivy Hatch	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ587547 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ587547 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ587547 |name=}}}}	YES		Several streams run through this small site, and there are many wetland plants, including sphagnum moss. There are many common spotted orchids, and trees such as alders and hazels.<ref name=ivy/>
Template:Anchor Kemsing Down<ref name=kem>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Kemsing Down	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ550594 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ550594 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ550594 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]]<ref name=kentdowns>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Habitats in this downland site include ancient and secondary woodland, scrub and chalk grassland. There are man, pyramidal and common spotted orchids, and butterflies include the brown argus and grizzled skipper.<ref name=kem/>
Kiln Wood<ref name=kiln>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Kiln Wood	Template:Convert	Maidstone Template:Coord {{#if: TQ886515 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ886515 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ886515 |name=}}}}	YES		This wood is mainly oak, hornbeam and hazel, and it is managed by coppicing. A stream at the northern end has lady fern, herb paris and broad buckler-fern.<ref name=kiln/>
Template:AnchorTemplate:Sortname<ref name=larch>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The Larches	Template:Convert	Maidstone Template:Coord {{#if: TQ787587 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ787587 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ787587 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=wtesssi/> NCR,<ref>Ratcliffe, pp. 47, 118</ref> SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref name=wtesssi/>	This site has chalk grassland, woods and scrub. Grassland flora include autumn gentian, pyramidal orchid and broad-leaved helleborine, and there are butterflies such as the chalkhill blue and marbled white.<ref name=larch/>
Lydden Temple Ewell<ref name=lyd>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	File:Lydden and Temple Ewell Downs	Template:Convert	Dover Template:Coord {{#if: TR277453 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR277453 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR277453 |name=}}}}	YES	NCR,<ref name=lte>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NNR<ref name=nnr/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has some of the finest chalk downland in Europe. Flora include the burnt-tip and early spider orchid. There are butterflies such the Adonis blue and chalkhill blue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Anchor Marden Meadow<ref name=mar>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Marden Meadow	Template:Convert	Tonbridge Template:Coord {{#if:TQ763445 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord|TQ763445 _region:GB_scale:25000|TQ763445 |name=}}}}	YES	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	These unimproved neutral meadows are cut for hay each year and then grazed. There are also ponds and hedgerows which are probably of ancient origin, and trees include midland hawthorns and wild service-trees.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:AnchorNashenden Down<ref name=nash>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Nashenden Down	Template:Convert	Rochester Template:Coord {{#if: TQ730657 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ730657 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ730657 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]]<ref name=nash/>	This nature reserve was created from a large arable field in 2009, and it is being regenerated with chalk grassland species, partly by colonisation from a steep bank which escaped ploughing and partly by seed spreading. An area of scrub provides a habitat for birds.<ref name=nash/>
Template:AnchorOare Marshes<ref name=oare>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Oare Marshes	Template:Convert	Faversham Template:Coord {{#if: TR013647 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR013647 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR013647 |name=}}}}	Template:Abbr	LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NCR<ref>Ratcliffe, p. 4</ref> Ramsar,<ref name=swaleram>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SPA<ref name=swalespa>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref name=swalesssi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has salt marshes, fresh water dykes and reed beds. It is of international importance for migratory, overwintering and breeding wetland birds.<ref name=oare/>
Oare Meadow<ref name=oarem>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Oare Meadow	Template:Convert	Dover Template:Coord {{#if: TR006630 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR006630 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR006630 |name=}}}}	YES	SSSI<ref name=swalesssi/>	This small site has a pond and bog, which are fed by a spring. Wetland plants include ragged-robin and yellow iris There is also a flower meadow.<ref name=oarem/>
Old Park Hill<ref name=old>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Old Park Hill	Template:Convert	Dover Template:Coord {{#if: TR294438 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR294438 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR294438 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]]<ref name=old/>	This steeply sloping hill has woodland, scrub and grassland. Scrub encroached on the other areas when the site was neglected, and KWT is removing it to restore its mainly grassland habitat, providing an increased area suitable for meadow butterflies, reptiles and orchids.<ref name=old/>
Template:AnchorPark Gate Down<ref name=park>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Park Gate Down	Template:Convert	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if: TR168457 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR168457 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR168457 |name=}}}}	YES	SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This dry valley has ancient chalk grassland with areas of scrub and woodland. It has many orchid species such as early-purple, common-spotted, pyramidal, green-veined and monkey.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Parsonage Wood<ref name=pars>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Parsonage Wood	Template:Convert	Cranbrook Template:Coord {{#if: TQ797329 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ797329 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ797329 |name=}}}}	YES	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This is an example of a woodland ghyll in the High Weald. The trees are mainly coppiced, but some of the ground flora are species which are indicative of ancient woods, such as butcher's broom, violet helleborine and pendulous sedge.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Polhill Bank<ref name=pol>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Polhill Bank	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ510605 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ510605 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ510605 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]]<ref name=pol/>	This chalk grassland site is on a south-east facing slope. There is also an area of scrub, which provides a habitat for birds such as blackcap and willow warbler. Flora include rock-rose.<ref name=pol/>
Template:AnchorQuarry Wood<ref name=quarry>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Quarry Wood	Template:Convert	Maidstone Template:Coord {{#if: TQ722518 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ722518 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ722518 |name=}}}}	YES		The wood is mainly sweet chestnut coppice, but at the northern end there are mature oak and beech trees. A small stream runs along the bottom of the valley.<ref name=quarry/>
Queendown Warren<ref name=queen>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Queendown Warren	Template:Convert	Sittingbourne Template:Coord {{#if: TQ827629 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ827629 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ827629 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=queen/> LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NCR,<ref>Ratcliffe, p. 120</ref> SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has dry grassland and woodland on a south facing slope. It has two rare plants, early spider orchid and meadow clary, and a rich variety of insects.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Anchor Romney Marsh<ref name=rom>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Romney Marsh	Template:Convert	New Romney Template:Coord {{#if:TR078261 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord|TR078261 _region:GB_scale:25000|TR078261 |name=}}}}	YES	LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ramsar,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site is formed from ancient sand dunes which have been left behind as the sea has retreated over the last two thousand years, and it has plants such as sea spurrey. There are also ponds left by gravel extraction, some permanent and others which dry out in the summer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ruxley Gravel Pits<ref name=ruxley>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Ruxley Gravel Pits	Template:Convert	Orpington Template:Coord {{#if: TQ474700 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ474700 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ474700 |name=}}}}	NO	SSSI<ref name=rux/>	There are four water filled pits with areas of fen. Over 500 plants species have been recorded and 169 birds, out of which 53 breed on the site. There are also 23 butterfly species, 23 dragonfly and over 500 beetles. Water quality is high.<ref name=rux>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Anchor Sandwich and Pegwell Bay<ref name=sand>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Pegwell Bay	Template:Convert	Ramsgate Template:Coord {{#if: TR341632 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR341632 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR341632 |name=}}}}	YES	GCR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> NCR,<ref>Ratcliffe, pp. 2–4</ref> NNR,<ref name=nnr/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ramsar,<ref name=tcramsar>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=thanetsac>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SPA,<ref name=thanetspa>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This site has the only ancient dune pasture in the county, and other habitats include saltmarshes, shingle beaches and sand dunes. It is internationally important for its birds, including black-tailed godwit, oystercatchers and sandwich terns.<ref name=sand/>
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve<ref name=sev>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve	Template:Convert	Sevenoaks Template:Coord {{#if: TQ520565 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ520565 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ520565 |name=}}}}	Template:Abbr	SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sladden Wood<ref name=slad>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Sladden Wood	Template:Convert	Dover Template:Coord {{#if: TR257428 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR257428 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR257428 |name=}}}}	YES		The main trees in this ancient wood are hornbeam, field maple and hazel, and there are ground flora such as green hellebore and yellow archangel.<ref name=slad/>
South Blean<ref name=blean>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	South Blean	Template:Convert	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if:TR093571 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord|TR093571 _region:GB_scale:25000|TR093571 |name=}}}}	YES		This site has native woodland, conifer plantations, heath and bog. KWT is gradually removing the conifers to allow natural regeneration, and it also manages the site by grazing and coppicing. Birds include nightjars and nightingales.<ref name=blean/>
South Swale<ref name=swale>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	South Swale	Template:Convert	Whitstable Template:Coord {{#if: TR060648 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR060648 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR060648 |name=}}}}	YES	LNR,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ramsar,<ref name=swaleram/> SPA,<ref name=swalespa/> SSSI<ref name=swalesssi/>	This coastal site has wetland and grassland, with mudflats which attract a large population of waders and wildfowl in winter. Flora include yellow horned-popies, sea-lavender and golden samphires.<ref name=swale/>
Spong Wood<ref name=spong>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Spong Wood	Template:Convert	Ashford Template:Coord {{#if: TR122455 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR122455 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR122455 |name=}}}}	YES		Common trees in this coppiced wood include sweet chestnut, oak, hornbeam and hazel. Orchids can be found on the high slopes and ramsons lower down.<ref name=spong/>
Spuckles and Kennelling Woods<ref name=spuc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Spuckles Wood	Template:Convert	Faversham Template:Coord {{#if: TQ957525 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ957525 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ957525 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]]<ref name=spuc/>	These ancient woods on the steep escarpment of the Kent Downs have diverse trees including mature oaks and beeches. Flora include greater butterfly and lady orchids.<ref name=spuc/>
Stockbury Hill Wood<ref name=stock>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Stockbury Hill Wood	Template:Convert	Sittingbourne Template:Coord {{#if: TQ836608 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ836608 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ836608 |name=}}}}	NO		This wood is mainly yew, hornbeam and oak. It has a variety of orchids, such as bird's-nest, lady and fly. There are orange tip and holly blue butterflies.<ref name=stock/>
Stone Wood<ref name=stone>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Stone Wood	Not available	Ashford Template:Coord {{#if: TQ964370 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ964370 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ964370 |name=}}}}	YES		This site was clear felled in 1992 and left to regenerate naturally. The KWT acquired it in 2002 and is encouraging native plants and animals to occupy it.<ref name=stone/>
Template:AnchorTurners Field<ref name=turn>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Turners Field	Template:Convert	Tenterden Template:Coord {{#if: TQ882340 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ882340 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ882340 |name=}}}}	YES		This field is managed as part of an organic farm, and has grassland, a stream, a pond, scrub and mature woodland. Herbs include pepper saxifrage, black knapweed and bird's-foot trefoil.<ref name=turn/>
Tyland Barn<ref name=tyl>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Tyland Barn	Not available	Maidstone Template:Coord {{#if: TQ754593 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ754593 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ754593 |name=}}}}	YES		This is the headquarters of the KWT. It has a nature park which is designed to show the variety of habitats in the county, such as a pond, wildflower meadows and woodland.<ref name=tyl/>
Template:AnchorWattle Wood<ref name=wat>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Wattle Wood	Template:Convert	Tenterden Template:Coord {{#if: TQ873354 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ873354 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ873354 |name=}}}}	YES		This ancient coppice with standards wood has diverse flora and fauna. There are many early purple orchids, and mammals such as dormice.<ref name=wat/>
West Blean and Thornden Woods<ref name=west>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Thornden Wood	Template:Convert	Herne Bay Template:Coord {{#if: TR143633 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR143633 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR143633 |name=}}}}	YES	NCR,<ref name=wbsssi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref name=wbsssi/>	More than fifty species of birds breed in these woods, and the diverse invertebrate fauna include five nationally rare and thirteen nationally scarce species. There is also a population of the declining and protected hazel dormouse.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2022, as part of the Wilder Blean project, European bison were released in to West Blean and Thornden Woods.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Westfield Wood<ref name=westf>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Westfield Wood	Template:Convert	Aylesford Template:Coord {{#if: TQ755607 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TQ755607 _region:GB_scale:25000| TQ755607 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=westf/> NCR,<ref name="Ratcliffe, p. 47"/>SAC,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> SSSI<ref name=wtesssi/>	This is described by the KWT as an "internationally important yew woodland" on steep chalk slopes. There is also an area of hazel and ash coppice, with ground flora such as butcher's broom and green hellebore.<ref name=westf/>
Template:Anchor Yockletts Bank<ref name=yoc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Yockletts Bank	Template:Convert	Canterbury Template:Coord {{#if: TR123477 |{{#invoke:Ordnance Survey coordinates|oscoord| TR123477 _region:GB_scale:25000| TR123477 |name=}}}}	YES	[[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|Template:Abbr]],<ref name=yoc/> SSSI<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This sloping site has woodland on dry chalk soils. There are diverse woodland breeding birds, and the ground flora is dominated by bluebells, but there are also many orchids.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Wildlife

The Wilder Blean project, headed up by the Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust, introduced European bison to a 2,500-acre conservation area in Blean, near Canterbury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The reintroduction to the UK in 2022, the first time in 6000 years, consisted of a herd of 3 females and 1 male.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Unknown to the rangers, one of the females was pregnant and gave birth to a calf in October 2022, marking the first wild bison born in the UK for the first time in millennia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The herd's matriarch gave birth to a male calf in winter 2023. In October 2024, the two younger females of the herd gave birth to an additional two female calves, increasing the herd's numbers to 8 animals in total.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2025, the project was recognized as one of The Big Issue’s top Changemakers of 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Chough Reintroduction Project, a partnership between Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust and Paradise Park, Cornwall, reintroduced the red-billed chough to South East England where it had previously been extinct for over two centuries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first of several releases took place at a secret location in Dover in July 2023, releasing eight choughs which came from a zoo-based breeding programme coordinated by Paradise Park in Cornwall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By October 2023, the released choughs had been spotted flying as far as Dover Castle.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2024, the first wild red-billed chough chick to be born in Kent for generations was discovered at Dover Castle and was reported to have fledged successfully the following month, but went missing during strong winds in early July. A second release of six female choughs into the wild took place in July 2024.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By September 2024 an additional six male choughs had been released into the wild, increasing the total number of wild red-billed chough in Kent to nineteen animals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Kent
• List of Local Nature Reserves in Kent

References

Sources

• Template:Cite book

External links

• Kent Wildlife Trust website Template:Webarchive