Kent, also known as the ‘Garden of England,’ is the home of a new National Nature Reserve.
The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is home to around 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, as well as a mosaic of natural habitats including wildflower meadows, rare arable plants and chalk grasslands.
The county is said to have been given its famous nickname by Henry VIII to acknowledge its green landscape and abundant supply of food and drink. While much has changed over the centuries, modern day visitors to the newly opened reserve will find that it is still worthy of this title. The site offers access to a rich mix of wildflower meadows, chalk grasslands and ancient woodlands which have maintained tree cover since the Tudor era.
Many people have enjoyed the picturesque North Kent countryside, including Charles Dickens, who praised the fresh greenery and bustling wildlife of Kent, and frequently returned to the area in his writings, drawing inspiration from this idyllic landscape. The natural beauty of the area has now been put back in the spotlight with this declaration.
More than 400,000 people live within five miles of the new North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve and 8m people live within an hour’s drive.
The new National Nature Reserve covers 800 hectares, and partners will be working to support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve, helping to create a joined-up approach to nature recovery for a further 1,100 hectares in the surrounding area.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England said: “Creating bigger, better and more joined up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature’s recovery. This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside. This reserve presents one further excellent example of the progress that can be made when people decide to work together across landscapes.
“Millions of people visit our National Nature Reserves and having a new one accessible to so many people and with such fantastic Nature is truly a cause for celebration.”
The creation of the reserve will offer a boost to tourism in the Garden of England, as National Nature Reserve status highlights the internationally important nature found in the area. More than 20m people visit National Nature Reserves each year.
This is the eighth reserve to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which hopes to leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.
With support from Natural England and Kent Downs National Landscape, the Reserve will be managed by partners including the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, Plantlife, Silverhand Estate (Vineyard Farms Ltd), and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust. Affiliated partners include Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac and Forestry England.
Nick Johannsen, National Landscape Director, Kent Downs National Landscape, said: “The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is especially exciting because of the sheer scale, nearly 20 square kilometres of land managed for nature, people, its beauty and history and for scientific research and so close to the urban centres of Gravesend and the Medway Towns.
“Many partners from the public, private, community and charity sectors are working together here, on some of the very best sites for wildlife in England. Together we have committed to work for nature recovery and connect our land. Our partnership has worked for over 2 years to develop a vision for the NNR and carry out detailed research and development. This crucial stage has been supported by the National Highways Designated Funds. Our friends in Natural England guided the proposal through the legal processes and we’ve done it.”
Ben Sweeney, Ranscombe Farm Reserve Manager, Plantlife, added: “It is truly exciting that Ranscombe Farm, Plantlife’s flagship nature reserve, is now part of such a concerted effort to bring together conservation, community and sustainable land use at the landscape scale. Ranscombe Farm, a wonderful patchwork of arable fields, ancient woodland and chalk grasslands, is a globally significant place for wild plants and other wildlife.
“Not only is Ranscombe the last wild UK site for corncockle, it also harbours the largest population of the endangered broad-leaved cudweed and a wide variety of rare wild orchids. But it is much more than just a treasure trove of rare and threatened plants; visitors are welcome to enjoy 10 miles of footpaths through the mosaic of habitats covering over 600 acres and marvel at the stunning displays of poppies in June and July.”
