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
April to October 11am-5pm Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
November to March Sundays only 11am-4pm
Open Sundays during the Christmas Holidays 11-4pm
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 of 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.
See the "Get involved" for more details of Kent Wildlife Trust events and wildlife study days held across the county.
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.
The visitor centre is open to the public:
March until November: 11am - 5pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
