Access: in Chartham Hatch
village, turn down Bigbury Road, then follow the sign for the North Downs
Way through the playing field, through the woods and into the orchard. GR
108573.
There are now far fewer orchards in Kent than there used
to be, when the county really was 'the garden of England'. What is more,
the orchards remaining have changed a great deal, the large, old trees
being replaced with modern dwarf varieties that make harvesting
easier. No Man's is one of only a handful of traditional orchards
remaining in the Stour Valley. It retains the large trees so valuable to
birds, insects and lichen.
Blossom, windfall fruit and wild flowers among the
grassland also attract wildlife, which visitors can
look out for from the comfort of the sculptural seating. With their
traditional fruit tree varieties and special place in local culture and
landscapes, old orchards like this should be conserved as living examples
of farming history, but are often difficult to protect.
Fortunately, this orchard has been purchased by two parish councils and is
being carefully managed as a place for the community to enjoy.
Leaflet about the orchard
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