North Kent’s Ancient Woodland Declared New National Nature Reserve

Image Credit: Natural England

On Friday, Natural England, the public body that advises the UK Government on environmental matters, officially designated the North Kent Woods and Downs as a national nature reserve. Spanning 800 acres, the area is now a focal point for nature restoration and long-term conservation.

This isn’t just about protecting land, it’s about preserving a living, breathing ecosystem. The terrain is home to an extraordinary cast of characters, both botanical and animal. Think: the elusive Hazel dormouse, ground-nesting skylarks, and the rare Maidstone mining bee. Then there’s the Man and Lady orchids, found flourishing in the area's sun-drenched clearings. And winding through it all are around 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, each a silent witness to centuries past.

Notably, this protected zone also includes the Silverhand Estate, one of the most extensive organic vineyards in the UK. A working landscape as much as a natural one, the estate adds economic and cultural weight to the reserve’s significance.

It’s no wonder Dickens found inspiration here. The famed novelist, who lived in various parts of North Kent throughout the 19th century, drew from this very environment when crafting some of his most memorable settings.

Beyond heritage and habitat, the reserve aims to deliver impact on a large scale. Over 400,000 residents live within just five miles of the site, and an estimated eight million people are within an hour’s drive. That’s a massive opportunity for access to green space, eco-tourism, and community engagement with the natural world.

The forests of this region, some standing since the days of the Tudors, lend credence to the historical nickname given by Henry VIII himself: “The Garden of England.” It’s a moniker that now feels more than ever like a mission statement.

This new designation is part of the King’s Series, a national initiative launched in honour of King Charles’ coronation to establish 25 large-scale nature reserves across England by 2027. North Kent Woods and Downs mark number eight in the lineup.

Nature minister Mary Creagh said: “This new National Nature reserve will give people the opportunity to explore Kent’s magical landscapes from wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands.

“Reserves like this one, and others in the King’s Coronation Series, will deliver on our promise to improve access to nature and protect nature-rich habitats, as well as boosting the local economy in line with our Plan for Change.”

Nick Johannsen, national landscape director at 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.”

The effort doesn’t stop at the reserve’s edges. In partnership with organizations like the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, and others, work is already underway to extend conservation efforts across an additional 1,100 hectares surrounding the reserve. The goal is to develop a cohesive landscape strategy that enables nature to flourish, regenerate, and evolve beyond artificial boundaries.

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.”

Management will be a multi-agency effort. Alongside Natural England and the Kent Downs National Landscape, stewardship will fall to a consortium of stakeholders, including Plantlife, Silverhand Estate, and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust.

Supporting them are affiliated partners, including Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac, and Forestry England, all of which contribute in their own right to the mosaic of public, private, and community involvement this project represents.