East Blean Wood

Wood, Forest in Kent Canterbury

England

East Blean Wood

East Blean Wood is a tranquil and picturesque woodland located in Kent, England. Covering an area of approximately 40 hectares, this ancient forest is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve. The wood is situated near the village of Blean, just a few miles northeast of the historic city of Canterbury.

East Blean Wood is primarily composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and sweet chestnut. The forest floor is adorned with a rich variety of flora, such as bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic, creating a vibrant and colorful display during the spring months. The wood is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including several species of birds, mammals, and insects.

Visitors to East Blean Wood can explore the numerous walking trails that wind their way through the forest, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings. These trails provide an opportunity to observe the woodland's wildlife up close and to learn about the various habitats and ecosystems within the forest.

The wood is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust, which works tirelessly to preserve and protect the natural heritage of the area. They actively engage in conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the woodland and its inhabitants.

East Blean Wood offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, providing visitors with a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of an ancient forest.

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East Blean Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.335819/1.1388762 or Grid Reference TR1864. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hoath, Holy Cross

Dave Kelly

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This somewhat damaged mark can be found on the wall of Holy Cross Church in Hoath. For more detail see : Link

Peter Wood

The Entrance Porch and Spire of Holy Cross Church in Hoath

Viewed from the south. The Spire was also used as an Intersected Station by the Ordnance Survey. Link

Peter Wood

European bison, Wildwood, Herne

They have a close resemblance to their American cousin but are a separate species. Heaviest wild land animal in Europe. Historically, it could be found throughout western, central and south eastern Europe, but suffered wide scale extinction by 1920s. Currently, there are semi-wild herds in Eastern Europe and Russia following reintroductions

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Fallow deer, Wildwood, Herne

Introduced to Britain by the Roman Empire, but again later on by the Normans in the 11th century. Originally they were kept in deer parks for entertainment purposes, however once popularity of the species declined, interest also declined and there were a number of escapees. Although not technically native, they are regarded as naturalised in the UK and are now widespread.

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Bear Bridge, Wildwood, Herne

Bridge over the bear enclosure. Wildwood is home to two European brown bears called Fluff and Scruff. They arrived in November 2014 after being rescued from a shocking life in Bulgaria. They were born at a brown bear breeding centre, bred to be hunted. They lived their entire lives there, in barren, small, concrete pits until the centre was abandoned. They were severely underweight, and showing signs of serious stress, anxiety and psychological trauma. Their rescue was possible due to Wildwood’s fantastic supporters who helped to raise £50,000 to bring them to the park. Here they live in a spacious woodland home, with inside denning areas. For the first time in their lives, Fluff and Scruff entered torpor (a form of semi hibernation) in 2015, a crucial natural behaviour that they had never had the opportunity to undergo before.

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Part of the bear enclosure, Wildwood, Herne

Wildwood is home to two European brown bears called Fluff and Scruff. They arrived in November 2014 after being rescued from a shocking life in Bulgaria. They were born at a brown bear breeding centre, bred to be hunted. They lived their entire lives there, in barren, small, concrete pits until the centre was abandoned. They were severely underweight, and showing signs of serious stress, anxiety and psychological trauma. Their rescue was possible due to Wildwood’s fantastic supporters who helped to raise £50,000 to bring them to the park. Here they live in a spacious woodland home, with inside denning areas. For the first time in their lives, Fluff and Scruff entered torpor (a form of semi hibernation) in 2015, a crucial natural behaviour that they had never had the opportunity to undergo before.

pam fray

A soay sheep, Wildwood, Herne

Small, hardy breed of domestic sheep. Normally brown in colour with lighter faces, underside and rumps. Descended from a population of feral sheep found on the Scottish Island of Soay. Have since been transported to other UK islands and mainland UK. They shed their wool naturally so there is no need for shearing.

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Hicks Forstal Road

The rood runs through East Blean Wood, which is a National Nature Reserve.

John Baker

Spider web, Wildwood, Herne

Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. Its aim is to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats for nature to thrive.

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Arctic fox, Wildwood, Herne

Viewed from the walkway above the enclosure. The coat of the arctic fox changes colour with the season. In the summer, their coats are brown or black. They then turn white in winter. There are two adults at Wildwood, named Albert and Flo. Arctic foxes were present in the UK at the time of the last Ice Age.

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Wildwood, Herne

Fallow deer resting in the sunshine.

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Restoration of St Martinâs church

Details about the restoration can be found by clicking the tab “restoration” on the church’s website Link

These details read “St Martin's Herne PCC thanks the Heritage Lottery Fund for the grant of £248,800 in aid of Phase 1 of St Martin's Restoration. We have received permission to start the project which will start in May 2016 lasting for about 25 weeks. We are also in receipt of other funding which will be used to carry out less urgent work on the tower whilst whilst the tower scaffold is in place”. John Salmon’s TR1865 : St Martin's Church, Herne, Kent shows the building without scaffolding.

John Baker