Ranscombe Farm

Ranscombe Farm is Plantlife's largest nature reserve in England, occupying a total area of 560 acres on the slopes of the North Downs in Kent. Recently declared as a country park, the reserve provides opportunities for quiet walks amongst attractive countryside with a fascinating flora.

The Ranscombe Farm landscape includes arable habitats, extensive ancient woodland and relict fragments of chalk grassland. A large part of the site is within the Cobham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the whole farm is within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Ranscombe Farm is one of British botany's classic sites, and a favourite haunt of wild-plant enthusiasts for hundreds of years. The first UK records of two Nationally Rare species, Hairy Mallow and Meadow Clary, were both from Ranscombe Farm, dating from 1699 and 1792 respectively. Both species still survive in the same spot.

Other rarities include Ground Pine and Broad-leaved Cudweed. The orchid flora is rich, with least six species recorded including Fly, Lady ('Fair Maidens of Kent') and Man Orchid.

The arable flora is also impressive, and two of the fields on the far western side of the reserve are believed to represent one of the best sites for annual plants of arable land in Britain. The flora of these fields includes Corncockle, Blue Pimpernel, Night-flowering Catchfly, Narrow-fruited Cornsalad and Dense-flowered Fumitory.

The woodlands are at their best in spring when a colourful display of Early-purple Orchids and Bluebells can be seen. Although limited in extent, the chalk grassland habitats host a rich suite of plants including Wild Liquorice and Horseshoe Vetch.

Ranscombe Farm is managed in partnership with Medway Council as a nature reserve, working farm and country park. You are welcome to visit at any time, but please keep to the marked footpaths.

Location: Cuxton, Medway, Kent. Grid References: TQ 718 675 (Car Park) TQ 705 680 (Middle of reserve)

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