Curtis Wood Park

Curtis Wood Local Nature Reserve is approximately 4.5 hectares in size and encompasses a small meadow of semi-improved neutral grassland. The wood consists mainly of oak, ash and hawthorn and is valued for its diverse ground flora including early purple and greater butterfly orchids. The woodland is within a conservation area and protected by a tree preservation order (TPO). In the springtime the woodland is carpeted with a beautiful display of bluebells and wood anemone. Both meadows are neutral grassland habitats interspersed with areas of scrub and mature trees. During the summer months the grass is left to grow long in the meadow, allowing wildflowers to grow and insects to thrive. Goldspots Pond lies north east of Curtis Wood Park. The Friends of Broomfield and Herne Ponds have coordinated task days, fundraising and wildlife surveys for this area where common frog, palmate newts and smooth newt have all been recorded. Access improvements have taken place over the last year to the main entrance and footpaths around the site and a network of wide footpaths are mown into the long grass throughout the summer The Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership recently installed a waymaker, providing a short walkway through the woodland, whilst new information panels have been installed both at the entrance to the meadow and to the woodland. This park has been awarded a Green Flag. These awards recognise the best green spaces in the country, helping you choose where to visit.