West Blean (including Thornden Wood)

Overview

40% of the reserve is densely planted conifer plantation and 40% is sweet chestnut coppice plantation. The remaining 20% is mixed native deciduous woodland. This ratio will change as the conifer is being removed gradually to restore the ancient woodland habitat and associated species..

Nightjars and nightingale are present. Common cow-wheat, the foodplant of the caterpillar of the heath fritillary butterfly, is already present in some parts of the wood.

This reserve makes up a substantial portion of the Blean complex, potentially covering thousands of hectares, and forming one of the largest concentrated tracts of ancient semi-natural woodland in England. The reserve itself covers some 489 hectares .

West Blean (and Thornden Wood) forms an important part of a wider conservation jigsaw, linking the Blean Woods National Nature Reserve in the nature conservation complex owned and managed by a partnership of bodies including other conservation organsiations, statutory bodies and local planning authorities.

Access

There are firm level paths from the car parks into the woods including a two mile track that passes right through the reserve.

Canterbury District
updated 07/2014 by Canterbury District