Clowes Wood

Wood, Forest in Kent Canterbury

England

Clowes Wood

A299 Thanet Way Eastbound Credit: Mark Anderson

Clowes Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Kent, England. Situated just south of the village of Canterbury, it covers an area of approximately 37 hectares (91 acres). The woodland is part of the Blean complex, which is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in England.

Clowes Wood is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. The woodland is characterized by its mixed broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and birch, which provide a rich habitat for a variety of bird species, mammals, and insects.

Visitors to Clowes Wood can explore its numerous walking trails, which meander through the dense woodland and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The wood also boasts a number of well-maintained picnic areas and benches, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

In addition to its natural beauty, Clowes Wood has a rich history. It is believed to have been part of a larger hunting forest during medieval times and has remnants of ancient wood banks and ditches. The woodland has also been managed for centuries, with evidence of coppicing, a traditional woodland management technique, still visible today.

Overall, Clowes Wood in Kent is a hidden gem, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature, explore its rich history, and experience the tranquility of an ancient woodland.

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Clowes Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.327459/1.0512609 or Grid Reference TR1263. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A299 Thanet Way Eastbound

Mark Anderson

Thornden Wood Road through Thornden Wood

This is looking south from the entrance to the West Blean & Thornden Woods Car Park.

Marathon

Path into Thornden Wood

This is looking west from the West Blean & Thornden Woods Car Park into Thornden Wood. West Blean and Thornden Woods are managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. They are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and in July 2022, as part of the Wilder Blean project, European bison were released into West Blean and Thornden Woods - see Link

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Path into Thornden Wood

West Blean and Thornden Woods are managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. They are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and in July 2022, as part of the Wilder Blean project, European bison were released into West Blean and Thornden Woods - see Link

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Clowes Wood

Stella Gardiner

South Street, near Whitstable

Chris Whippet

Bogshole Lane, Whitstable

David Howard

Clapham Hill at the junction of Pye Alley Lane

David Howard

Electricity transformer on Pean Hill, Whitstable

David Howard

A290 past Meadow Grange Nursery

Heading towards Whitstable.

Robin Webster

A290 towards Whitstable

Robin Webster

A290 Pean Hill

Heading towards Whitstable.

Robin Webster

A290 towards Whitstable

The inconveniently situated bus stop is called Pye Alley, the left turn ahead is Pye Alley Lane.

Robin Webster

Broomfield Gate

This is a private road off Radfall Hill and on the edge of Thornden Wood.

Marathon

Entrance to Thornden Wood

There is extensive woodland in this area between Chestfield and Canterbury. It is part of Blean Wood National Nature Reserve - see Link

This entrance to Thornden Wood is where the private Broomfield Gate meets Radfall Hill.

Marathon

Footpaths into Clowes Wood

Clowes Wood is one of several large woodlands north of Canterbury known as the Blean. This is one of the most important areas of ancient woodland in Britain, including woodland types of international importance. The Blean was traditionally coppiced and parts of Clowes Wood are still managed in this way. One of the rarer trees here is the small-leaved lime. It grows in just one location here but was once one of the commonest trees in southern England. Its decline is thought to be due to the effects of grazing animals and a change in the climate. This looks along Radfall Road with Clowes Wood away to the right and Thornden Wood across the road to the left. For more about Blean Wood National Nature Reserve - see Link

Marathon

Radfall Road at Gypsy Corner

Clowes Wood to the left here is one of several large woodlands north of Canterbury known as the Blean. This is one of the most important areas of ancient woodland in Britain, including woodland types of international importance. The Blean was traditionally coppiced and parts of Clowes Wood are still managed in this way. One of the rarer trees here is the small-leaved lime. It grows in just one location here but was once one of the commonest trees in southern England. Its decline is thought to be due to the effects of grazing animals and a change in the climate. This looks along Radfall Road with Clowes Wood on the left and Thornden Wood across the road to the right. For more about Blean Wood National Nature Reserve - see Link

Marathon

Entrance to Clowes Wood

Clowes Wood is one of several large woodlands north of Canterbury known as the Blean. This is one of the most important areas of ancient woodland in Britain, including woodland types of international importance. The Blean was traditionally coppiced and parts of Clowes Wood are still managed in this way. One of the rarer trees here is the small-leaved lime. It grows in just one location here but was once one of the commonest trees in southern England. Its decline is thought to be due to the effects of grazing animals and a change in the climate. This looks along Radfall Road with Clowes Wood away to the left and Thornden Wood across the road to the right. For more about Blean Wood National Nature Reserve - see Link

Marathon

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Clowes Wood is located at Grid Ref: TR1263 (Lat: 51.327459, Lng: 1.0512609)

Administrative County: Kent

District: Canterbury

Police Authority: Kent