Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Ham Street Woods NNR, one of the first NNRs to be designated in 1952, is a fragmented woodland that is a remnant of the larger Orlestone Forest which once covered the Weald. Ham Street Woods is nationally important as a series of broadleaved woodlands supporting outstanding bird and invertebrate communities. The reserve is home to rare moths such as the triangle and silky wave, and butterflies, such as the white admiral. Breeding birds include the rare nightingale and hawfinch, and the reserve is also home to two protected species, the great crested newt and the dormouse. Oak, sweet chestnut, birch, aspen and coppiced hornbeam flourish in the higher parts of the site, while in the valleys ash, hawthorn, hazel and alder thrive. Wild service trees are also found, a good indicator of ancient woodland. In spring the woods are filled with primroses, wood anemones and bluebells, while autumn brings a fabulous feast of fungi.

Location

Hamstreet

About the area

Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover, an English icon that marks the point where the Kent Downs AONB stretches from the Surrey Hills down to the sea. Visitors can explore historic parklands, including Knole Park and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home at Chartwell, or beautiful nature reserves, such as the coppiced woodlands of Denge Wood and Earley Wood and the ancient fine chalk woodland of Yockletts Bank.

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Nearby places to stay

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Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve

Hamstreet

07920 471128

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Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Ham Street Woods NNR, one of the first NNRs to be designated in 1952, is a fragmented woodland that is a remnant of the larger Orlestone Forest which once covered the Weald. Ham Street Woods is nationally important as a series of broadleaved woodlands supporting outstanding bird and invertebrate communities. The reserve is home to rare moths such as the triangle and silky wave, and butterflies, such as the white admiral. Breeding birds include the rare nightingale and hawfinch, and the reserve is also home to two protected species, the great crested newt and the dormouse. Oak, sweet chestnut, birch, aspen and coppiced hornbeam flourish in the higher parts of the site, while in the valleys ash, hawthorn, hazel and alder thrive. Wild service trees are also found, a good indicator of ancient woodland. In spring the woods are filled with primroses, wood anemones and bluebells, while autumn brings a fabulous feast of fungi.

Location

Hamstreet

About the area

Area image

Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover, an English icon that marks the point where the Kent Downs AONB stretches from the Surrey Hills down to the sea. Visitors can explore historic parklands, including Knole Park and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home at Chartwell, or beautiful nature reserves, such as the coppiced woodlands of Denge Wood and Earley Wood and the ancient fine chalk woodland of Yockletts Bank.

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)