Share

Ashford Warren

Ashford Warren & Hoads Wood

'Relic' wood pasture, veteran trees and nationally rare acid grassland make up this site squeezed between major roads, railway lines, and the rapid urban development of Ashford.

Ashford Warren and Hoads Wood shares part of its name with the nearby Hoads Wood SSSI. This nearby Hoads Wood is not managed by KWT, but has been significantly impacted by large-scale waste disposal problems which we are campaigning to be cleared.

Location

Warren Lane
Ashford
TN24 8UF

OS Map Reference

TR003441

What3Words:
barks.rated.exist
A static map of Ashford Warren & Hoads Wood

Know before you go

Size
35 hectares
image/svg+xmlz

Entry fee

None
image/svg+xmlP

Parking information

Car park at end of Warren Lane. Expect rough uneven surface on slope.
image/svg+xml

Bicycle parking

None
image/svg+xml

Grazing animals

Seasonal grazing with cattle - between April and August
image/svg+xml

Walking trails

An all-weather path runs along the bottom edge of the reserve. Path leading from Car Park to main pond, with compacted gravel path/ sand. (300m) There are kissing gates with one RADAR kissing gate. All other routes have sections of steep inclines, steps and uneven surfaces.

image/svg+xml

Access

Car park on slope and uneven surface. Path leading from Car Park to main pond, with compacted gravel path/ sand. (300m) Kissing gates, with one RADAR kissing gate

Dogs

image/svg+xmlUnder effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times. Volunteer work parties take place at Ashford Warren & Hoads Wood on Tuesdays and Thursdays undertaking habitat management. Be aware that essential management can sometimes be noisy and if you are concerned it may disturb your visit consider visiting on a different day. If you would like to get involved, please visit our volunteering page.

Best time to visit

All year round. April-May: Bluebells, pond water violet. October - December: Autumn colours, spectacular veteran trees.

About the reserve

This hidden gem is nestled within the roads, railway and houses of Ashford Town. A sprawling area with gigantic trees, sandy cliff faces and ponds teeming with frogs. Previous incarnations of this nature reserve have included deer park, military ranges and sand quarry, all of which have left their mark on this fascinating landscape. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and tree creepers abound, whilst the banks of bluebells in Spring can be truly spectacular. You may spot our elusive herd of Highland Cattle that graze here in the summer - their munching creating gaps for sun loving insects and plants.

Kent Wildlife Trust is working with the owners, Ashford Borough Council for the long-term future of this nature reserve.

Contact us

Ian Rickards
Contact number: 01622 662012
Contact email: [email protected]