Bee orchid close up so you can see the landing strip that looks similar to a bee in appearance
© Nicky Kitchingham

Introduction to Orchids

Date: -
Location: Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD
Price: Standard fee: £37.50 per person per day.
Concessionary fee: Kent Wildlife Trust volunteers, senior citizens, unemployed and students £5 off.
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Learn more about wild orchids: their life cycles, where to find them, and how to identify them

About the event

Orchids are amongst the most fascinating of plants, and Kent has an extraordinary diversity of species. This day will provide an introduction to the range of British orchids and their complex behaviours, and includes a field visit to see some of the orchid species which flower in May.

The day will start with an indoor session at Tyland Barn  where you will discover what an orchid is, learn about orchid lifestyles and behaviour and have an overview of the Kent species, plus brief discussion of the wider British orchid flora.  You will also find out where and when to look for orchids in Kent and what books would be useful.

At lunchtime,  you will travel in your own cars to Ranscombe Farm Reserve near Rochester, which is home to 11 orchid species, including four scarce species which should be in flower in late May.

By the end of the course it is expected that participants will:

  • Be able to Identify the key features of an orchid 
  • Have gained an understanding of their life cycles including the special relationships with fungi and pollinating insects 
  • Know where to look for orchids in Kent
  • Have gained  confidence in identifying orchids in the field

Suitable for beginners and anyone who has a special interest in orchids.

Led by Richard Moyse, Botanist with experience of the ecology and conservation of some of Kent’s rarer orchids.

  • Accessible toilet

  • Cafe/refreshments

MORE INFORMATION

What to bring:

Clothing and strong outdoor footwear suitable to the weather conditions.

Please bring a packed lunch and drinks,  There is now an independent café in the Barn which is usually open on Wednesdays so you may be able purchase additional refreshments there.  

The grounds and teaching space at Tyland Barn are accessible to wheelchair users.

At Ranscombe Farm Reserve, the route we will take includes steep slopes and uneven footpath surfaces, and so unfortunately is not accessible to wheelchair users. Although we will need to cover about 3 miles in total, we will not need to move fast, and there are no stiles to cross.

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