Bough Beech overview
O.S Map 188 TQ 496494 : Bough Beech Visitor Centre: SE ofSevenoaks
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
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO FLOODING BOUGH BEECH VISITOR CENTRE AND TOILETS ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2009.
WE WILL BE OPENING WITH MINIMAL FACILITIES WHILE WE REORDER REPLACEMENTS AND SEEK FUNDS TO IMPROVE INTERPRETATION ON THE SITE.
OPEN WEDNESDAY,SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND BANK HOLIDAYS 11AM-5PM UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER
November to March Sundays only 11am-4pm
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