Darland Banks

Sweeping panoramic views are not what you expect to find in the heart of the Medway towns but this site has long defied convention. This is our most diverse reserve which is home to the largest population of Man orchids in the country.

Opening hours: open at all times.
Best time to visit: May to August: wildflowers and butterflies.

  • Dog walking

  • Parking

Size: 45 hectares.

Parking information: West Bank has Limited car parking available at the junction of Darland Avenue and Kingsway. Main Bank has limited parking on the road side at Hoath Close.

Bicycle parking: None.

Grazing animals: Cattle on site all year round.

Walking trails: Paths are steep and uneven in places.

Dogs: Dogs permitted but please keep them on a lead around the livestock.

There are some medium mobility kissing gates/chicane. The paths are grass and narrow, some are steep and uneven channeled when wet the paths are slippery on exposed chalk.

About the reserve

Some of our rarest and most threatened species thrive on this restored chalk grassland just a stone’s throw from one of Kent’s biggest conurbations - Straw belle moth, Small blue butterfly, Yellowhammer and Roman snail to name but a few. 

Human history has played its part in creating the diversity. Large blocks of concrete from an anti-aircraft gun emplacement provides shelter for reptiles, backfilled WWII practise trenches are filled with Man Orchids, Red star thistle established here when it was used by people with horse drawn wagons and each year a different vegetable pops up in the most recently cleared areas.

There is an amazing team of volunteers and members of the public who help to keep this site looking it best. Helping with everything from winter scrub clearance and fence repair to plant surveys and rubbish collection. It’s a real team effort.

Contact Us

If you need to get in touch regarding Darland Banks, for any reason, please contact:

Rob Pennington
Contact number: 01622 662012
Contact email: [email protected] 

Environmental designation

  • Local Nature Reserve (LNR)