Great Hall Wood

Wood, Forest in Kent Canterbury

England

Great Hall Wood

Broad Oak (Canterbury) Village Sign Village sign — Broad Oak (Canterbury) Village Sign Credit: Paul

Great Hall Wood is a picturesque woodland situated in the county of Kent, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, it is located near the village of Ashford, amidst the rolling countryside of the Kent Downs. The wood is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity and historical significance.

The woodland is predominantly composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash, beech, and chestnut, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. It boasts a dense canopy, allowing only dappled sunlight to filter through, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The forest floor is covered in a thick layer of leaf litter, providing a habitat for an array of flora and fauna.

Great Hall Wood is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, badgers, foxes, and numerous bird species. The wood is particularly renowned for its population of nightingales, whose melodious songs fill the air during the breeding season. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts, offering opportunities to see species such as woodpeckers, owls, and various woodland songbirds.

The wood has a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. The remnants of ancient earthworks and burial mounds can be found within its boundaries, providing a glimpse into the area's past. Today, Great Hall Wood is managed by a local conservation organization, ensuring its preservation and protection for future generations to enjoy. Visitors can explore the wood through a network of well-maintained footpaths, offering a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and tranquility of this enchanting woodland.

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Great Hall Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.307909/1.077889 or Grid Reference TR1461. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Broad Oak (Canterbury) Village Sign

Village sign

Paul

Barton Down, NE of Canterbury: aerial 2022

Simon Tomson

University of Kent at Canterbury

A road on the northern side of the campus site.

Jim Barton

View from a footpath through Goose Farm

A temporary road has been laid to enable heavy machinery to gain access to the Richborough Connection Project Link

This is a proposed 400kV electricity transmission connection between Richborough and Canterbury in Kent to connect the proposed new UK to Belgium interconnector (known as the Nemo Link) Link

This TR1661 : View from a footpath through Goose Farm is looking north-northwest.

John Baker

View from a footpath through Goose Farm

A temporary road has been laid to enable heavy machinery to gain access to the Richborough Connection Project Link

This is a proposed 400kV electricity transmission connection between Richborough and Canterbury in Kent to connect the proposed new UK to Belgium interconnector (known as the Nemo Link) Link

This TR1661 : View from a footpath through Goose Farm is looking southeast.

John Baker

Pylon installation

Three lengths of steel have been embedded in corresponding circles of concrete to form the base of the pylon. This is being erected as part of the Richborough Connection Project, which is a proposed 400kV electricity transmission connection between Richborough and Canterbury in Kent to connect the proposed new UK to Belgium interconnector (known as the Nemo Link) Link

This image was taken from a footpath running through Goose Farm.

John Baker

Outbuildings, Goose Farm

Seen from a footpath running through the farm.

John Baker

Route of the former Canterbury & Whitstable Railway

The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway is often said to have been the first passenger railway in the world. Construction of the 6 mile line took several years and work excavating the 828 yard Tyler Hill Tunnel proved difficult and lengthy. There were great celebrations for the opening on 3rd May 1830. In Canterbury, the cathedral bells were rung and guns were fired in salute. Sections of the line were so steeply graded that stationary engines were required to haul trains by cable up the steep ascents. After the First World War, bus competition began to cause problems and the line to Whitstable finally closed to passengers on 1st January 1931. Goods traffic continued for a number of years but final closure came on 1st December 1952 after which time the track was removed. A path now follows part of the old route and is known as the Crab & Winkle Way. Here though it is a private driveway to a house known appropriately as 'The Halt'. The Halt is now a private residence converted from an engineer's cottage. This section of the old trackbed is particularly interesting as Blean & Tyler Hill Halt was located ahead between here and Tyler Hill Road. It was opened in 1908 and closed a mere 22 years later with the last passenger train. See Link See Link

and Link

Marathon

Old sign for the Canterbury & Whitstable Railway

The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway is often said to have been the first passenger railway in the world. Construction of the 6 mile line took several years and work excavating the 828 yard Tyler Hill Tunnel proved difficult and lengthy. There were great celebrations for the opening on 3rd May 1830. In Canterbury, the cathedral bells were rung and guns were fired in salute. Sections of the line were so steeply graded that stationary engines were required to haul trains by cable up the steep ascents. After the First World War, bus competition began to cause problems and the line to Whitstable finally closed to passengers on 1st January 1931. Goods traffic continued for a number of years but final closure came on 1st December 1952 after which time the track was removed. A path now follows part of the old route and is known as the Crab & Winkle Way. Here though it is alongside a private driveway to a house known appropriately as 'The Halt'. The old sign has survived - see Link for a close up. The Halt is now a private residence converted from an engineer's cottage. This section of the old trackbed is particularly interesting as Blean & Tyler Hill Halt was located between here and Tyler Hill Road just behind where I am standing. It was opened in 1908 and closed a mere 22 years later with the last passenger train. See Link See Link

and Link

Marathon

Old railway sign

The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway is often said to have been the first passenger railway in the world. Construction of the 6 mile line took several years and work excavating the 828 yard Tyler Hill Tunnel proved difficult and lengthy. There were great celebrations for the opening on 3rd May 1830. In Canterbury, the cathedral bells were rung and guns were fired in salute. Sections of the line were so steeply graded that stationary engines were required to haul trains by cable up the steep ascents. After the First World War, bus competition began to cause problems and the line to Whitstable finally closed to passengers on 1st January 1931. Goods traffic continued for a number of years but final closure came on 1st December 1952 after which time the track was removed. A path now follows part of the old route and is known as the Crab & Winkle Way. Here though it a private driveway to a house known appropriately as 'The Halt'. The Halt is now a private residence converted from an engineer's cottage. This section of the old trackbed is particularly interesting as Blean & Tyler Hill Halt was located between here and Tyler Hill Road just behind where I am standing. It was opened in 1908 and closed a mere 22 years later with the last passenger train. See Link The other reminder that this was once a railway is this old sign - see Link for its location. See Link

and Link

Marathon

Footpath from Tyler Hill Road

This footpath crosses the old route of the Canterbury & Whitstable Railway just ahead - see Link Beyond that it meets Fleets Lane.

Marathon

Tyler Hill

Tyler Hill is just to the north of the University of Kent campus. This is at the centre of the village with the village sign on Hackington Road.

Marathon

Hackington Road at Tyler Hill

Tyler Hill is just to the north of the University of Kent campus. This is at the centre of the village with the village sign on Hackington Road.

Marathon

Tyler Hill

Tyler Hill is just to the north of the University of Kent campus. This is at the centre of the village with the village sign on Hackington Road. The village sign includes, of course, oast houses.

Marathon

Calais Hill, Tyler Hill

This is immediately west of the village centre of Tyler Hill - see Link

Marathon

Calais Hill, Tyler Hill

This is immediately west of the village centre of Tyler Hill - see Link

Marathon

Derelict barn, Well Court

The public bridleway passing through here is hardly used and unclear on the ground, with a lack of visible official signage. One OS map has it passing to the right of these barns, another to the left.

Robin Webster