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Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – Ranscombe Farm Rare Orchid Count 

Join us to help find and count some of Ranscombe’s rare plants as part of our 20th anniversary celebration week at Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve.

Date
7 Jun 2026
LocationRanscombe Farm, Rochester, ME2 1LD
Time
09:15 – 13:00
Free
Photo showing a gorgeous bright pink Man Orchid at Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve with other Man Orchids in the background amongst the grass

Join us at this free event to celebrate Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve’s 20th anniversary!

Ranscombe is home to at least 11 species of orchid, 4 of these are rare species and their populations are surveyed every year.

Join our Reserve Manager Ben Sweeney to take part in surveying the endangered Man Orchid, a true speciality of the North Downs.

Depending on weather conditions between now and the day, plans may be required to change, and other rare or threatened plant species may be surveyed instead.

What Do You Need to Know?

  • All ages welcome – under 18s must be accompanied and fully supervised by a responsible adult
  • Not suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs
  • Could be up to 2 miles walking as part of survey
  • Some steep hills
  • Please come dressed for the weather and the terrain for example: Walking boots or sturdy shoes, waterproofs if needed, a hat and sun cream in warmer weather and extra water

We will be meeting at the events area car park. To get closer to the area to be surveyed, we will be asking participants to drive in convoy further into the reserve along surfaced farm tracks, sharing cars if possible.

This event is part of our 20th anniversary celebration week at Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve. It is part of the Ranscombe Connect: Community Participation for Wild Plants and Fungi project which has been made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to Lottery Players we have been able to create more opportunities for local people to get involved with Ranscombe Farm Reserve. If you are interested in volunteering at Ranscombe Farm contact volunteering@plantlife.org.uk

There are currently no upcoming events

Past events

Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – SkellyWAGS Women’s Run and Social
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Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – SkellyWAGS Women’s Run and Social

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Sold Out – Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – Mindful Photography Walk for Adults with Kent Wildlife Trust
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Sun, 7 Jun 2026
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Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – Family Fun, Explore, Create and Discover with Kent Wildlife Trust
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Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – Family Fun, Explore, Create and Discover with Kent Wildlife Trust

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Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – Veteran Trees and Plants Guided Walk with Plantlife and National Trust

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Mon, 8 Jun 2026
18:00 – 19:30
Kent | £5 returnable deposit

Join us for this guided forest bathing experience as part of our 20th anniversary celebration week at Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve.

Sold Out – Ranscombe Anniversary Celebrations – The Living Apothecary: A Plant Medicine Walk at Ranscombe Farm
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Kent | £5 returnable deposit

Join us on this guided walk through Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve to explore the medicinal properties, folklore, and subtle qualities of the plants that grow here. This event is being held as part of our 20th anniversary celebration week at Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve.