DAYSOUT
KENT ’ S WONDERFUL Wildlife Walks cont .
Dungeness National Nature Reserve
Betteshanger Park
Samphire Hoe // Dover
Samphire Hoe , found between Dover and Folkestone in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , is the ideal place for anyone to enjoy the wildlife that Kent has to offer . Whether you have only just started to appreciate Kent ’ s amazing wildlife , or you ’ ve been enjoying it for many a year , Samphire Hoe is a wonderful place to visit .
Created when the Eurotunnel was being constructed , Samphire Hoe is a 30-hectare area where you can walk and explore for hours at a time and where you can see 123 species of birds , 30 species of butterflies and over 2,000 species of plants including the rare early spider orchid .
www . samphirehoe . com
Betteshanger Park // Deal
Betteshanger is a 250-acre park that has miles and miles of walking routes , traffic-free cycling , and even mountain bike trails for a more adventurous and equally great day out . The fossil hunting and forest school activities are always entertaining , and the outdoor playpark will keep the kids occupied for hours .
As well as all of this , Betteshanger is a brilliant place to enjoy Kent ’ s native wildlife ; there is just so much of it calling Betteshanger Park home . As you ’ re walking around you should be able to spot frogs , newts , dragonflies , butterflies , water voles , spiders , kestrels , owls , jays and waxwings .
www . betteshanger-park . co . uk
Dungeness National Nature Reserve // Romney Marsh
As barren as Dungeness National Nature Reserve might look at first glance , it is full of life and is a superb place to visit for peace and quiet , a gentle stroll , a picnic , or a full-on day of activity including plenty of wildlife spotting .
Moths are particularly prevalent at Dungeness , and it ’ s the only place in Britain where the Sussex Emerald moth is found . Aside from moths , you can see dozens of different birds from the Dungeness Bird Observatory , and other wildlife as you take a wander around .
www . dungeness-nnr . co . uk
Blean Woods // Canterbury
The entire walk through Blean Woods ( and beyond ) stretches for 25 miles in a circular route and takes you through some impressive medieval woodland . As you go , you will come across 18 panels with plenty of information on them about the woods , the area around and of course the wildlife that can be found there . This wildlife includes the Heath Fritillary butterfly , which was close to extinction in the 1980s , but is now thriving in Blean Woods . You don ’ t have to walk the entire 25 miles to get an idea of how fascinating this area is either ; a shorter stroll will be just as idyllic .
www . theblean . co . uk
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