Wye National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Wye NNR is renowned for its views over Romney Marsh and the Weald, and out to the Channel coast, and for landscape features such as the Devil’s Kneading Trough – a dry, steep-sided valley (or coombe) formed by freezing conditions near the end of the last Ice Age. The extensive chalk grassland is one of the best examples of this important habitat in Kent. It is covered in wildflowers and supports several rare plant species, including 21 rare and beautiful orchids such as the rare late and early spider and man orchids. As well as grassland the reserve includes areas of scrub, woodland and over two miles of hedgerows. These habitats support around 50 breeding birds, including nightingale, hawfinch, lesser spotted woodpecker and kestrel. Reptiles found here include adder, grass snake, slow worm and common lizard. In turn, the variety of plant life supports a huge number of invertebrates, including scarce butterfly species such as the chalk hill blue and the Adonis blue, which have secured the site’s special protection as an NNR.

Location

Brook

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.