The Blean Wood National Nature Reserve is teeming with flora and fauna and dog walkers are asked to keep to the designated ‘dog walking route’ so as not to disturb the wildlife.

In summer, look out for damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies, including the rare heath fritillary butterfly. The Blean Wood National Nature Reserve is one of several woods that cover eleven square miles, and includes Thornden Wood, East and West Blean Woods, and Clowes Wood (owned by the Forestry Commission).

Almost all the woodland comprising the Blean complex is classified as ancient woodland. Its value for wildlife is recognised at a national level with over half of the Blean being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and approximately one third is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

Walking routes

There are several waymarked trails around the woods of varying lengths. The Big Blean Walk is a 25 mile circular walk through all The Blean woodlands. The walk, combined with 18 new interpretive panels, promotes The Blean to visitors and locals, inviting people to explore a world of history and nature.

The symbol for the Walk is the Heath Fritillary butterfly; The Blean’s greatest conservation success story. This butterfly was close to extinction in the late 1980s, and now the Heath Fritillary colonies in The Blean are some of the largest in the UK.

The walk has been developed by the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership as a member of the Blean Initiative, which is a partnership of landowners, local authorities, parish councils, conservation bodies and community groups that look after and promote The Blean. The Big Blean Walk is part funded by Heritage Lottery and the Kent Wildlife Trust.

For other walks in the Blean, you check out the RSPB website for information.