Bough Beech overview

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.

Bough Beech Visitor Centre is proud to receive a Green Tourism Silver Award showing our commitment to the environment.

Opening times

Winter: 8 January 2012 to 24 March 2012, Sundays only 10am - 4pm. Spring/Summer : 24 March 2012 to 31 October 2012: Wednesday, Saturday,Sunday and Bank Holidays 10.00am - 5.00pm. Autumn/Winter 4 November 2012 to 23 March 2013, Sundays only 10am - 4pm Closed during Christmas and New Year.

Nature Reserve

A haven for wildlife with a host of wild visitors years round:

• Spring months bring cuckoos, migrant waders and ducks.
• Summer sees an annual influx of swallows dashing low over water and fields in search on insects
• Autumn and winter sees a whole host of ducks and waders taking advantage of the safety of the reserve.

Visitor Centre

In the oast explore the hop, history and wildlife displays. Through the season family events range from fossil and woodcraft days to moth and bat evenings.

Key site

• Great crested newts, toads, common lizard
• Dragonflies (Black-tailed skimmer, Ruddy Darter, Emperor, Southern Aeshna, Migrant hawker, Red-eyed damselfly.
• Butterflies (White admirals...)
• Roesel's bush cricket, long-winged conehead.
• Dormouse, water shrews
• Bats: pipistrelle, daubenton, noctule, brown long-eared.
• Nesting herons, reed warbler, cuckoo, autumn and spring migrant waders and ducks.