Blean Woods NNR
The reserve is part of a larger area known as The Blean.
County: Kent
Main habitats: Woodland
Area: 90 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Blean Woods NNR is owned and managed by a number of partner organisations including the RSPB.
The Blean is the largest ancient broadleaved woodland in southern Britain. The importance of the area has led to it being declared a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Trees found here include hornbeam, hazel, beech, oak, birch and sweet chestnut. Brambles, bracken and bluebells are dominant on the woodland floor, but plants such as common spotted orchid, common centaury and St John's wort are found in the woodland rides.
The Blean is home to many forest birds such as woodpeckers, tree creepers and nuthatch. Spotted flycatcher, nightjar, bullfinch and hawfinch are also seen here and there is an important population of nightingales. The golden oriole is a rare summer visitor.
The woods are one of the few areas in Britain that supports the heath fritillary butterfly and the scarce seven-spot ladybird can also be found here.
Location and access
The reserve is west of, and immediately adjacent to, the A290, opposite Blean village.
By car, access to Blean Woods is via tracks from the A290. There is a car park on the reserve.
The nearest train stations are in Whitstable (6 km to the north) and Canterbury (5 km to the south east).
Regular bus services along the A290 between Canterbury and Whitstable are provided by Stagecoach East Kent.
Blean is also close to Route 1 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Facilities
The nearest toilets and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages and there is a picnic area on the reserve.
There are four nature trails through the woods ranging in length from 1.5 km to 13 km. One route is suitable for wheelchair access.
Leaflets and information panels are available for visitor information.
