Burham Down
O.S Map 188 TQ 735624 : Nr Chatham
Post code: Upper Burham ME5 9RG
Lower Burham ME1 3RJ
The reserve is in two parts, totalling 104 hectares. The south-eastern section is dominated by woodland and scrub, with two areas totalling approximately 5 hectares which are managed by grazing using the Trust’s own herd of Exmoor ponies.
The northern section, which includes Wouldham Common, is also predominantly woodland with some recently cleared areas, now under grazing management. Access to this section is by arrangement only.Woodland and scrub areas have a wide variety of tree and shrub species typical of the chalk soil. The down provides wonderful views over the Weald of Kent.
Directions
By Road:
West of the A229 (Maidstone to Chatham Road) adjoining the KCC picnic site on Common Road, Blue Bell Hill.
Public Transport:
The 101 from Maidstone, Chatham & Gillingham stops in Blue Bell Hill village (¼ mi/0.4 km).
Download Reserve Map (PDF)
Key site for
- Wooded areas: provide an important habitat for dormice and breeding birds including nightingale and hobby.
- Woodland glades and edges: have important populations of lady and fly orchid.
- Open grassland areas: are important for their chalk grassland flora including man and pyramidal orchid, dropwort and thyme. Butterflies include chalkhill blue, brown argus and silver-spotted skipper; the latter was re-introduced to the site in 1998.
