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Queendown Warren

Queendown Warren © Simon Williams/Plantlife

Queendown Warren © Simon Williams/Plantlife

Location: Near Chatham, Kent

Grid Reference (centre of reserve): TQ 830 630

The south-facing slopes of Queendown Warren reserve present a fine example of unimproved chalk grassland.

Sadly, this habitat type has suffered dramatic losses throughout England and is now uncommon.

These grasslands typically occur on shallow soils with a high calcium carbonate content and often have an extremely rich flora with up to fifty species in every square metre.

The reserve is grazed with cattle or ponies over the autumn and winter to produce the short sward height needed by its special plants and butterflies.

Wildflowers at the reserve

WHAT TO SEE AND WHEN

April: early spider-orchid

May: early-purple orchid, cowslip

June: bee orchid, horseshoe vetch, common rock-rose, mouse-ear hawkweed, white helleborine, rough hawkbit, horseshoe vetch, meadow clary

July: pyramidal orchid, sainfoin, squinancywort, vervain, greater knapweed

August: yellow-wort

Orchids thrive in the dry, nutrient-poor conditions associated with chalk downland and ten species are regularly seen at Queendown Warren, including early-spider, burnt, man, fly, and bee orchid.

Alongside these other wild flowers such as yellow-wort, sainfoin and stemless thistle grow in abundance. The reserve is also home to meadow clary, one of the plants for which Plantlife is taking action under our endangered species recovery programme 'Back from the Brink'.

Directions

Click here to download a map of the reserve.


From Junction 4 of the M2 take the A278 towards Gillingham. Turn right at the first roundabout towards Wigmore. Follow the road back towards the M2 and turn right to Bredhurst. The road passes under a bridge, then over the M2. Take the next left and follow this road for approximately 1 1/4 miles.

Turn right towards Hartlip and travel for approximately one mile. The small parking area is indicated at the first junction.

The nearest train station is Rainham, which is three miles from the reserve.