South west of Sevenoaks. The centre is signposted from the B2027 and B2042.

Contact Details:
Kent Wildlife Trust
Bough Beech Visitor Centre
Winkhurst Green
Ide Hill
Sevenoaks
Kent  TN14 6LD   

Phone:  01732 453880

O.S.Map 188 TQ 496494: Bough Beech Visitor Centre

Kent Wildlife Trust are committed to improving accessibility at visitor centres and reserves alike.

Visitor Centre:

The Bough Beech Visitor centres ground floor is accessible to all. A disabled toilet is available during opening hours.

Nature Park:

The grounds are uneven and may be muddy at times.

For specific assistance, or to book groups with mobility issues telephone: 01622 662012

O.S Map 188 TQ 496494 : Bough Beech Visitor Centre: SE of Sevenoaks

Where the Greensand hills sweep down from Sevenoaks into the valley of the Low Weald, surrounded by green fields and well-wooded farmland, nestles the 19th century Oast House Visitor Centre.

Coots and moorhens nest by the bridge where a brook runs by on its way into the Bough Beech reservoir. This was constructed in the late 1960s, filling this peaceful farmland valley with water. The ancient Tudor farmhouses, Bayleaf and Winkhurst were moved to the Weald and Downland Museum. The Oast House remained and the north end of the reservoir declared a nature reserve.

The area is a haven for wildlife and there is ample opportunity for visitors to enjoy the spring cuckoo, summer swallows and dragonflies and butterflies in the meadow, autumn apples in the old orchard and the ducks on the winter ponds. Throughout the season family events range from fossil and woodcraft days to moth and bat evenings.

Key site for-Great crested newts, Toads, Dragonflies (Black-tailed skimmer, Ruddy darter, Emperor, Southern aeshna, Migrant hawker, Red-eyed damselfly), Common lizard,Roesel's bush cricket, Long-winged conehead, Dormouse, Water Shrews, White Admiral Butterflies, nesting Herons, Glow-worm, bats (pipistrelle, daubenton,noctule, brown long-eared) Reed warbler, Cuckoo and Nightingale, Autumn and Spring migrant waders and ducks.

There is a shop, light refreshments, toilets and a picnic barn.

Opening times

Winter Opening: November to March, Sundays 11am - 4pm 
Easter to end October: Wednesday, Saturday,Sunday and Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm

Events

Kay Optical demonstration days 2010
21 March;18 April;16 May;20 June;18 July;15 August;19 Sept;17 Oct;21 Nov;12 Dec

Talk: 'Scottish Willdife - Our interests and memories'
Monday 29th March 2pm
A talk by Peter and Pauline Heathcote at Sevenoaks Visitor Centre. £2.00 each.

AGM &Talk: 'Islands' - a recently published book in the New Naturalist Series
Monday 19th April 7.30pm
A talk by author Professor R J Berry at Sevenoaks Visitor Centre. £2.00 each.