Description:

The reserve is in two parts totalling 104 hectares. The south-eastern section (excluding the chalk pits) is dominated by woodland and scrub, with two areas totalling approximately 5 hectares, which are managed by grazing using the Trust's own herd of Exmoor ponies.

The northern section, which includes Wouldham Common, is also predominantly woodland with some recently cleared areas, now under grazing management. Access to this section is by arrangement only.

Woodland and scrub areas have a wide variety of tree and shrub species typical of the chalk soil. This provides an important habitat for dormice and breeding birds including nightingale and hobby. Woodland glades and edges have important populations of lady and fly orchid.

Open grassland areas are important for their chalk grassland flora including man and pyramidal orchid, dropwort and thyme. Butterflies include chalkhill blue, brown argus and silver-spotted skipper; the latter was re-introduced to the site in 1998.

The down provides wonderful views over the Weald of Kent.

Access: The reserve is accessible via a network of public footpaths with parking at two main areas. For safety reasons, entry to the two chalk pits within the reserve is by permit only, available from Kent Wildlife Trust.