Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
O.S Map 188 TQ520565: Nr Sevenoaks
Within easy reach of London and just a stones throw from the M25 and M26 motorways, you will be surprised by the peace and tranquility that the lakes and woodland walks at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve have to offer. As you step away from the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre it is incredibly easy to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind you.
The reserve covers some 55 hectares, and is comprised of roughly equal proportions of water and land. It includes five lakes and a mixed habitat of ponds, seasonally flooded pools, reedbed, and woodland. A spectacular array of birds reside within this special sanctuary and the different habitats support diverse communites of plants, fungi and animals. To date well over two thousand species of flora and fauna have been identified here and more are regularly added to the list - wildlife enthusiasts of all levels will find something to delight on each visit.
Don't be fooled by appearances though, the character of the site is almost entirely man-made - all the lakes were deliberately dug and most of the trees were planted by hand to create this natural looking landscape. Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve was the first example in Britain of an commercial gravel-pit being developed, post operation, for the benefit of wildlife and nature conservation.
Directions
By Road:
The entrance to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre is to the north of Sevenoaks Town Centre, on the A25, Bradbourne Vale Road, between Riverhead and Bat & Ball.
Public Transport:
Sevenoaks and Bat & Ball Railway Stations are both within easy walking distance of the reserve, both approximately 1mile (1.6 km).
A bus service runs between Sevenoaks and surrounding areas, with a bus stop located close to the reserve's entrance.
Download Reserve Map (PDF)
Key site for:
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The water levels in the lake are managed to create feeding and nesting areas for a variety of waterfowl and waders, including little ringed plover, lapwing, moorhen, coot and great crested grebe. Large numbers of wildfowl such as tufted duck, greylag and Canada geese regularly use the open water in the winter months.
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Expanses of gravel and sand have been largely replaced by woodland, which supports birds such as woodpeckers, warblers and tits. In winter visiting birds such as siskins can be seen feeding on alder seeds.
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Some sections of the reserve’s woodland are left to mature and reach old age, with plenty of dead wood habitat for fungi and insects.
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In other sections the trees are coppiced to create open areas and more dense woodland with its own community of plants and animals.
