Blean Woods National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Covering 222 acres (90 ha), Blean Woods NNR is the largest ancient broadleaved woodland in southern England. Hornbeam, hazel, beech, oak, birch and sweet chestnut dominate on the reserve, while brambles, bracken and bluebells cover the woodland floor. Plants such as common spotted orchid, common centaury, wood anemone and St John’s wort are found in the woodland rides. The Blean is home to many woodland birds such as woodpeckers, tree creepers and nuthatch. Long-eared owl, spotted flycatcher, nightjar, bullfinch and hawfinch are also seen and there is an important population of nightingales. If you are lucky, in summer you might hear the sweet song of the golden oriole, an occasional summer rarity. The woods are one of the few areas in Britain that support the heath fritillary butterfly and white admirals and the scarce seven-spot ladybird are also found here. Rare mammals include the yellow-necked woodmouse and the dormouse.

Location

Rough Common

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.