 | May in the Kent DownsMay has arrived, bringing the perfect opportunity to discover the beauty of the Kent Downs. As spring unfolds, the countryside is alive with wildlife, from rare orchids in full bloom to the gentle hum of bees buzzing through meadows. This month, uncover the secrets of prehistoric life, follow trails through stunning landscapes, or get up close to wildlife in some of the Down’s most peaceful spots. With plenty of exciting events and outdoor adventures, now is the time to explore, relax, and immerse yourself in the wonders of Kent. |
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A New National Nature Reserve for Kent |
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 | Kent is now home to a brand new National Nature Reserve. The North Kent Woods and Downs has been officially recognised as one of the country’s most important places for nature, forming part of the prestigious King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. The reserve brings together a rich mix of ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands, wildflower meadows and even an organic vineyard. It’s a place where wildlife thrives, from rare orchids and skylarks to dormice and centuries-old trees. But this reserve is about more than just protecting nature. It’s about people too. Located within five miles of 400,000 people, including many urban and diverse communities, the North Kent Woods and Downs NNR is opening up access to nature like never before. It’s a collaborative project, uniting landowners, charities, councils and community groups in a shared vision for nature recovery and local connection. To celebrate this new reserve, a week of community events will take place from 24 to 31 May, giving you the chance to explore the landscape, learn about its wildlife, and discover what makes this place so special. |
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Events in the Kent Downs Join us for a range of exciting events in the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve during the celebratory week. |
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 | Trosley’s Goat Trail
at Trosley Country Park
24th May – 1st June 2025
Discover how the park’s resident goats help manage rare chalk grassland habitats, supporting wildlife like the Chalkhill Blue butterfly and Musk Orchid. |
 | Exploratory Walk through Leisure Plots
at Cobham
26th May 2025
Join for a gentle walk, exploring silver birch woodlands, rare orchids, and unique wildlife. Discover the seasonal wonders of this SSSI-designated site and enjoy tranquil views. |
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 | Lost Village of Dode Walk
at Gravesend
26th May 2025
Join for a scenic walk through the Kent Downs, exploring the hidden Lost Village of Dode. Learn about the myths, folklore, and history of this ancient site during a special talk inside the abandoned church. |
 | Ranger-Led Ancient Tree Trail
at Cobham
28th May 2025
Explore one of the UK's treasured ancient woodlands on a ranger-led walk. Discover the significance of veteran trees and their ecological value, with plenty of nature to spot along the way! |
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 | Joe’s Bows Falconry
at Shorne Woods Country Park
27th May 2025
Experience the thrill of meeting majestic birds of prey in a stunning woodland setting. Enjoy a fascinating talk and take photos with these majestic creatures. |
 | Orchid Walk at Ranscombe Farm
at Rochester
29th May 2025
Join the Reserve Manager for a guided walk to explore rare orchids and spring wildflowers at Ranscombe Farm and learn about the conservation efforts. |
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 | Digging into Kent's historic past Join the Kent Archaeological Society on 14 June for a hands-on archaeological dig at Lees Court Estate near Faversham. Help uncover ancient burial monuments and artefacts from the Neolithic and Bronze Age in one of Kent’s most exciting community excavations. All ages are welcome—no experience needed, just a curiosity for the past! |
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Hidden gems for the perfect picnic in the Kent Downs |
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With longer evenings and the promise of warmer days, it’s the ideal time to head outside with a blanket and basket of your favourite food. The Kent Downs, with its sweeping views, ancient woodlands, and peaceful meadows, offers some of the most scenic picnic spots in the county. In our latest blog, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots across this beautiful landscape. From the serene charm of Fackenden Down to the breathtaking panoramas at Blue Bell Hill, there’s something for everyone. Explore the ancient woodlands at Kings Wood or discover the quiet beauty of Kemsing Downs. We’ve also included some unique spots, like the Feel Our Voice Bench at Old Wives Lees, adding a creative twist to your picnic experience. Wherever you choose to picnic, each spot promises a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of good food, great company, and the beauty of nature. These places allow you to slow down, soak in your surroundings, and make lasting memories. |
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Making the North Downs Way National Trail more accessible for all |
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 | The Putting Down Routes project, a collaboration between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the North Downs Way National Trail, is transforming the National Trail into a safer, more inclusive and accessible route where everyone is welcome. We're actively improving sections of the trail to make them as accessible as possible for a wide range of people. As part of this work, we restored the bridleway through The Junipers — a steep woodland section of the North Downs Way National Trail in Wye. The bridleway had become rutted, damaged and overgrown, with exposed tree roots making it difficult to navigate for anyone other than the most physically able. Given the North Downs Way National Trail’s importance as a well-used route of both regional and national significance, we repaired the bridleway, which involved restoring the width and laying a new, flexible, porous surface, enabling safer and increased accessibility to a greater range of users. Putting Down Routes is funded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). |
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Celebrating Vaisakhi at Gravesend Gurdwara |
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Last month, the we joined the vibrant Vaisakhi celebrations at Gravesend Gurdwara for an incredible day of community connection. The event was a perfect opportunity to showcase how the Putting Down Routes project is making the countryside more accessible to everyone, especially those who may not realise just how easy it is to explore the Kent Downs. The day featured the Nagar Kirtan, a lively street parade through Gravesend, filled with music, laughter, and a true sense of community spirit. It was a joyful experience that brought people together in celebration. As the day continued, meaningful conversations unfolded around the role of nature in supporting wellbeing and building connection. It was inspiring to witness so many eager to discover the local landscape and experience its physical and mental health benefits. With more than a million people living within 1km of the Kent Downs boundary, there’s a unique opportunity to bring the healing power of nature closer to urban communities. Nature has the ability to heal, energise, and inspire, and it’s exciting to help more people find peace, energy, and inspiration in these beautiful green spaces. |
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Catch Kent Downs' spring orchids before they disappear for the year! |
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As we dive into May, the Kent Downs is blooming with some of the rarest and most beautiful wild orchids. Now's the time to see these beautiful flowers in full bloom before they fade away for another year. From the vibrant Early Purple Orchids to the elusive Monkey Orchids, this month offers the perfect opportunity to experience these wonders. Head to places like Denge Wood and Park Gate Down for your best chance to spot them. But don’t wait too long – these delicate blooms won’t last forever. Get out there and enjoy them before they disappear! |
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 | Celebrating seven years of transformation in the Darent Valley Seven years ago, the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme was formed to enhance the valley’s beauty, restore its history, and bring the community together. Today, that vision has turned into a legacy we’re proud to celebrate.
With £5 million in funding and amazing partners like Kent Downs National Landscape, North West Kent Countryside Partnership, and Kent Wildlife Trust, it has transformed the valley in ways that truly matter. From restoring chalk grasslands and welcoming wildlife to preserving historical landmarks and reopening forgotten paths, more than 40 projects have revived this treasured landscape.
But it’s the people of the valley who’ve made this journey unforgettable. Thousands of residents have contributed through wildlife surveys, creative workshops, and community archaeology projects, bringing new life to the valley’s rich history and forging deeper connections to the land.
As the scheme draws to a close, we’re celebrating the incredible achievements that have been made and looking forward to a future where this legacy continues to inspire, educate, and unite us all.
The project was made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, European Interreg Experience project, and support from a wide range of local partners. Thanks to National Lottery players. |
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