Park Gate Down (Hector Wilks Reserve)
O.S Map 179 TR 168457 : Nr Canterbury
Post code: CT4 6NE
The reserve consists of eight hectares of chalk grassland with scrub and fringing woodland on the east side of the valley.
This ancient chalk grassland has a long history of grazing and a very rich flora.
The surrounding woodland and scrub attract many feeding and breeding birds, including nightingale, green and great spotted woodpeckers, yellowhammer, linnet, whitethroat, garden warbler, hawfinch, sparrowhawk and hobby.
The reserve’s ecological interest is maintained through a regime of annual livestock grazing, scrub-cutting and woodland coppicing.
Directions
By Road:
Take the A2 towards Dover and the B2065 to Elham.
Just before Elham take a right turn to Park Gate and then
2nd road on left. Car parking just beyond reserve gate.
Public Transport:
Bus 17 Canterbury and Folkestone to Elham,
(1½ mi/2.4 km).
Download Reserve Map (PDF)
Key site for
- Rich flora: including cowslip and violet, as well as early purple, common spotted, fragrant, monkey, man, lady, bee, greater butterfly, late spider and musk orchids. There are also several other unusual flowering plants, such as columbine and slender bedstraw.
- Woodland birdlife including: nightingale, green and great spotted woodpeckers, yellowhammer, linnet, whitethroat, garden warbler, the occasional hawfinch, sparrowhawk and hobby.
Wildlife update
- The reserve was dedicated to the memory of the late Hector Wilks on 21st May 2007.
- The Reserve and adjacent chalk grassland have been grazed throughout the autumn and winter months with 16 Konik horses.
