Precious Peatlands at Hothfield Heathlands

Between 2022 and 2024 we ran a project to improve conservation management and access improvement works across Hothfield Heathlands. The main aim of the ‘Precious Peatlands’ project was the restoration of peat bog, which acts as a carbon store and provides essential habitat for a wide range of wildlife species that depend upon it.

The Precious Peatlands project has been generously funded by an anonymous donor, with additional support from Ashford Borough Council and the Rural Payments Agency.

Between 2022 and 2024 we carried out work that:

Walking through a field at hothfield heathlands

Improved access on key paths and routes throughout the reserve

We improved the condition of key paths around Hothfield Heathlands. This included raising heights of paths, especially those prone to water logging and erosion. In addition to the ‘Precious Peatlands’ project, we have delivered access works paid for by Ashford Borough Council including the creation of an all-weather accessible path through The Triangle and further improvement to pedestrian routes within the main reserve.

Restore and improve areas of nationally important peat bog and heathland

The nationally scarce bog and heathland habitats at Hothfield are constantly threatened by vigorous scrub growth. We removed large areas of scrub, mostly with our fantastic volunteer team but also with support from larger machinery to help us with the tougher areas. We also installed water control features, such as bunds and dams, to prevent bog habitat from drying out.

Realign fencing across the site

We are moving towards a "Wilding" approach at Hothfield Heathlands which involves repositioning the fencing to allow cattle to roam more freely and behave more naturally. We have installed new fencing, creating areas where wildlife can exist free from human disturbance. The renewal and repositioning of 2km of fencing will support this, improving the efficiency of our conservation grazing at the reserve.

Fencing plans

Wider Landscape and Connectivity

In enhancing the wetland and bog habitat at Hothfield, the project has boosted biodiversity and supports the myriad of wildlife species, from insects to breeding birds, that can be found across Hothfield’s 86 hectares. Kent Wildlife Trust also manage Ashford Warren and Heath Countryside Corridor sites (within two and five miles, respectively of Hothfield Heathlands), which also feature acid grassland, helping to maintain these fragmented sites as havens for wildlife in the busy southeast.