Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve

Hothfield Heathlands is a Kent Wildlife Trust nature reserve a few miles north-west of Ashford, protecting one of the last surviving fragments of lowland heath in Kent along with four rare valley bogs. The combination of dry, sandy heath and wet, acidic mire on the same site makes it one of the most unusual habitats in the south-east of England.

A network of waymarked paths and boardwalks leads visitors through heather and gorse on the higher ground and across the boggy hollows, where insectivorous sundews, cotton grass and bog asphodel can be found. The reserve is grazed by a small herd of Highland cattle and Konik ponies, which help keep scrub in check and maintain the open heath. Reptiles such as common lizard and grass snake bask on warm days, and dragonflies patrol the pools in summer.

Hothfield village lies just to the south, with regular Stagecoach buses running between Ashford and Charing past the reserve’s entrance. It makes an excellent short walking destination in its own right or a pleasant addition to a day exploring the North Downs and the Stour valley.