Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

Although first and foremost a delight for birdwatchers, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is much more than that – its calm lakes, woodland and marshes, excellent visitor centre and elemental gardens make it a beautiful space that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Although the reserve might seem like a natural haven for wildlife, in the past it was anything but – almost entirely man-made in the 1950s, the lakes are all former sand and gravel quarries, with the River Darent long since diverted from its natural course. Thousands of trees were planted by hand, and the lakes landscaped to make them more attractive to wildlife.
There are now seven different hides dotted around the lakes, while the elemental gardens feature wild flowers and specially-built habitats to encourage insect life (including the world’s largest bee house). The gardens are laid out to make them easy to be explored and enjoyed by kids, making it a wonderful learning environment.
Finally, the visitor centre hosts displays, exhibitions, a museum, a shop and a tea bar, making the Reserve a hugely enjoyable place to spend a day out with the family.
Events take place all year round, and the Reserve also runs an outdoor environmental education programme, putting it right at the heart of the local community.