Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre

Swan in the mist, photo by Fran French

Swan in the mist, photo by Fran French

East lake at Sevenoaks reserve, photo by Dave Warren

East lake at Sevenoaks reserve, photo by Dave Warren

Kingfisher
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre

H W Atkins

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre

Our Kent Wild Trail is currently not available due to issues with our website. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. If you'd like further information please email info@kentwildlife.org.uk.

Please note that the Visitor Centre is currently open 11am-3pm Thursday to Sunday.

The Visitor Centre will be closed on Thursday 21 March, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Location

Bradbourne Vale Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 3DH

OS Map Reference

TQ 521 563

What3Words:
fits.taps.entry
A static map of Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre

Know before you go

Size
73 hectares
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Parking information

Charged Parking (no cash) - Weekdays: £2.50 Weekends: £3.50

Bicycle parking

Yes, blue butterfly bicycle racks are located near the visitor centre

Walking trails

There are a number of trails around the reserve, please note that there is very deep water in places, so under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

No dogs (except guide dogs) or bicycles are allowed and picnics are restricted to the designated area only.

Visitors in wheelchairs have access to the visitor centre (with the exception on one first floor display), three hides and most of the nature trail. Parts of the reserve have restricted access and other areas may be closed from time to time for management or wildlife reasons.

For low carbon walking trails around Sevenoaks Visitor Centre, download the Darent Valley Trails app.

Download Now

Access

Visitors in Wheelchairs have access to the visitors centre, three hides and most of the nature trail.

Toilets are available during visitor centre opening times.

Dogs

Assistance dogs only

Only guide dogs are allowed on the reserve. Dogs are allowed in the car park and picnic area on a lead.

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Facilities

Visitor centre
Bird hides
Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area

When to visit

Opening times

Please note that the Visitor Centre will be open every day throughout half term (10-18th February) from 11am-3pm. Please head to our events page for full details on the activities and events taking place.

The nature reserve remains open daily dawn-dusk.

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve lies immediately to the north of Sevenoaks. The reserve was the first example of a gravel pit site being developed for the purpose of nature conservation. This restored former quarry is owned by Tarmac and leased to Kent Wildlife Trust under a long term agreement for the benefit of wildlife and enjoyment of all. It is a spectacular site for birds, as well as dragonflies and damselflies there is also a diverse community of plants, fungi and other wildlife, including creatures of the night such as bats and glow-worms. So far well over two thousand species have been identified and more are regularly being added to the list. This pioneering nature reserve covers 73 hectares and comprises five lakes surrounded by woodland, there are a few ponds, seasonally flooded pools as well as grassland and small areas of reedbed, the clear water of river Darent flows through the northern part of the reserve and supports a reasonable population of invertebrates and fish.

The deeper lakes attract all the common wildfowl which are especially abundant in the winter. Surface feeding duck such as teal and shovelers tend to frequent the shallower areas.  Waders such as green and common sandpiper, greenshank, lapwing and little-ringed plover can be seen around the muddy edges of the shallow water. The last two species nest on the reserve. Grey herons are resident and other birds like kingfisher, grey wagtail can often be located. Birds such as reed bunting and reed warbler can easily be seen in the reedbed in the summertime. 

The trees and scrub support of breeding perching birds, including the common garden birds, warblers such as chiffchaffs and blackcaps, woodpeckers (all 3 species including the lesser-spotted are found here), treecreepers and bullfinch. In the winter the alder trees attract flocks of siskins and redpolls.

About the Visitor Centre

We have some great family events coming up! Click on the link below for details:

See Events at Sevenoaks Visitor Centre

The Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre has been the starting point for thousands of visitors to the reserve since 1987. The centre houses displays illustrating the prehistory and history of the site, the creation of the reserve, its habitats and the wildlife that they support. In addition, the Visitor Centre can advise you on how best to enjoy your day at the Reserve, highlighting recent wildlife sightings, walks and trails and forthcoming events. The Visitor Centre has an indoor seating area and a café serving hot and cold drinks, ice creams and sweet snacks. There is also a shop area selling local produce, bird food and accessories and a great range of Hawke Optics binocular and scopes which we are happy for you to test onsite so that you get the right optic for you.

Adjacent to the Centre there is a fully accessible bird hide looking over the West Lake, as well as a picnic area with two accessible picnic tables a sensory elemental garden and wild space to explore.

BBQs and fires are not permitted on the reserve.   

Walking time from Bat & Ball station: 18 minutes

Walking time from Sevenoaks station: 19 minutes

Car parking charges

Click here to find out more

Contact us

Visitor Centre Management
Contact number: 01732741673

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map