Nature Reserves

Most people in Kent live within a few miles of a Kent Wildlife Trust nature reserve. From ancient woodlands to meadows and wetlands, they’re just waiting to be explored.

Bluebells at Ashford Warren amongst trees
Ian Rickards

Ashford Warren & Hoads Wood

Warren Lane Ashford TN24 8UF OS Map Reference TR003441

'Relic' wood pasture, veteran trees and nationally rare acid grassland make up this site squeezed between major roads, railway lines, and the rapid urban development of Ashford.

Bigbury camp nature reserve view of orchids over landscape

Bigbury Camp

Bigbury Road, Harbledown Chartham Hatch CT2 9BJ OS Map Reference TR 117 577

Bigbury Camp is an Iron Age hillfort in Howfield Wood, a short hop from the centre of Canterbury.

Two people sitting on a bench looking out over the views at Blue Bell Hill
©Beth Hukins

Blue Bell Hill

Common Road Aylesford ME5 9RG OS Map Reference TQ743621

Whether standing above the clouds on a winter's morning or watching the last rays of sun striking reds, purple and gold across the valley, there is always something fantastic about this place.

Brenchley Wood peacock butterfly on the flowering bluebells
Beth Hukins

Brenchley Wood

Between Matfield and Pembury Pembury TN12 7ER

Ancient woodland with heathland and bog

Broadham down view of wildflower meadow with countryside view below it

Broadham Down

One mile (1.6 km) southeast of Chilham Chilham Kent CT4 7DE

A tucked away area of downland forming a haven for wildlife. The breath-taking views across the Stour valley on the north end and towards Ashford on the south end also are a sight to behold.

burham down view from the sloping chalk grassland down into the countryside landscape below

Burham Down

Common Road Chatham ME5 9RG

With sublime views over the Weald of Kent, this reserve consists of an area of chalk grassland and a large area of woodland. Some species of orchid can be seen in the woodland and kestrels breed in the chalk cliffs. Various different insects can be observed here.

Perkunas totem pole with views from the top of capel-le-ferne cliffs down to the english channel

Capel-le-Ferne

Old Dover Road Capel-le-Ferne Folkestone CT18 7HT

Overlooking the English channel, the Capel-le-Fern reserve has great views of the chalk cliffs that gives the White Cliffs of Dover its name.

Collingwood

1.6km (1 mile) south of Hawkhurst off Stream Lane Hawkhurst TN18 4RF

A small woodland reserve centred around a lake