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SITES
IN AND AROUND TOWNS
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Key
to codes
14. Ashford’s Green
Corridors
Ashford Borough Council
B - Numerous services
R - Ashford
C - 18
D I
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Riverside habitats, Bowen's Field, Ashford's Green
Corridors
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Access: the Green Corridors are readily accessible
from many points close to Ashford town centre, and where the Great and
East Stour Rivers pass close to the town centre.
Ashford’s Green Corridors occur where the Great and
East Stour rivers pass through the town centre. Due to the risk of
flooding on land adjacent to the rivers, and the protection of the
riverside by the Borough Council, this land has remained largely
undeveloped and now forms a series of interlinked open spaces of great
value to the local community. Despite their urban location, these sites
are often better for wildlife than riverside areas in the countryside,
because they have not been affected by intensive agriculture. The green
corridors retain features such as pollards - old riverside trees managed
by regularly cutting the crown, of great value to birds and insects. There
are many good areas for wildlife within the corridors,
such as Queen Mother’s Park and Singleton Lake, encompassing a variety
of wetland habitats. They are being managed with both natural and human
communities in mind.
For further information: Ashford Borough Council
01233 330621
For volunteering information: contact
KSCP
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15. Ashford Warren Local
Nature Reserve
Ashford Borough Council
B - 10, 523, 521
R - Ashford (1.5 miles)
P D E
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Pond at Ashford Warren
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Parking and main access on Warren Lane. Take the
first left after the Ashford International Hotel roundabout on the A20,
going towards Ashford. GR 003441
Despite being so close to urban Ashford, surrounded by
roads and houses, Ashford Warren is a surprisingly wild place. The woodlands,
with their coppice and old oaks, screen the site from man-made intrusions,
making it a green haven for the community. The Warren is also important
for wildlife. The acid grasslands are unimproved, and contain plants such
as sheep's sorrel and bird's foot. They are mown to maintain their value
and keep birch scrub at bay. The ponds are home to amphibians,
aquatic insects and the uncommon water violet. A wide variety of birds
also inhabit the site.
For education pack, volunteering details and other
information: Ashford Borough Council 01233 637311 or contact
KSCP
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16. Whitehall Meadow and
Bingley Island Local Nature Reserve
Canterbury City Council
B - Numerous services
R - Canterbury East or West
P I WC
Parking and access, Whitehall Road: From the West
Gate mini roundabout in Canterbury head out of the city then take first
left into Linden Grove, which leads into Whitehall Road. GR 143576.
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View of Canterbury Cathedral, Whitehall Meadow
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The last thing you might expect to find on the outskirts
of Canterbury is an old meadow, unspoilt by development or modern
agriculture - but that's exactly what Whitehall Meadow is. Such grasslands
have been drained and otherwise improved all along the River Great Stour,
and the habitats of wetland birds and plants lost. But at this site,
grazing, pond digging and other management is conserving it as it should
be. The meadow floods regularly, as indicated by the damp-loving grasses,
including the uncommon brown sedge. Migratory birds such as
snipe and teal spend the winter here, attracted by the rough vegetation
and the site's wetness.
More information: Canterbury City Council 01227
862000
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17. Neal's Place Orchard
Privately owned
B - 4, 5, 100, 101
R - Canterbury West (1.25 miles)
C - 1
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Fruit trees in blossom, Neal's Place orchard
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Access: Head out of Canterbury on the A290
(Whitstable Road). Turn left after St Edmunds School onto Neal’s Place
Road. The access is on the right. GR 131590
This one acre orchard is a lovely, peaceful spot within
walking distance of Canterbury city centre. Most
orchards in Kent have been transformed in recent years, with old fruit
trees grubbed out in favour of modern dwarf varieties. Neal's Place,
however, has retained its traditional features, and all the wildlife value
of an old orchard. Birds, insects and small mammals are attracted by the
old trees, their blossom and windfall fruit, while wild flowers grow among
the grass. Visitors are allowed open access within the site.
Note: Current open access agreement ends
30/9/2003.
More information: KSCP
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18. Old Park
Ministry of Defence
B - 13, 14, 111, 544
R - Sturry (1.5 miles)
C - 1
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Old Park
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Access: from Military Road, near the City Council
offices, turn down Chaucer Road, then follow the Stour Valley Walk. GR
160583.
On the outskirts of Canterbury, this large open area of
grassland and scrub can be enjoyed by the public along the waymarked Stour
Valley Walk or the Sustrans cycle track. The grassland is unimproved
and therefore very valuable, with a large area protected by law as a Site
of Special Scientific Interest.
Scrubby areas of gorse and hawthorn provide nesting and
feeding sites for a wide variety of birds, including nightingales, meadow
pipits, linnets and turtle doves. There is also a pond where kingfishers
have been seen. On the higher, more open parts of the site, the views of
Canterbury Cathedral and nearby countryside are excellent. One word of
warning: Old Park is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is used as a
training area, so please keep to marked footpaths at all times.
More information: KSCP
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Sites in the Kent Downs AONB |
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Other Sites in the KSCP Project
Area |
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Contents |
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