Bredhurst Wood is coppiced ancient woodland bordered by important and dramatic chalk grassland.
Bredhurst Wood is an inspiring site not least because of the huge effort made by the local community to safeguard its future. Fragmented by multiple ownership, the site fell into decline and a cycle of dumping and mis-use followed. From these unpromising beginnings the Bredhurst Woodland Action Group (BWAG) have worked to reintroduce coppicing, restore chalk grassland and have successfully improved many footpaths and bridleways.
The chalk grassland here is rich in biodiversity, with an abundance of spring and summer wildflowers and insects. In recent years, nine species of orchid have been recorded, including greater butterfly and bee orchids. In summer, look out for butterflies, such as the common blue, green hairstreak, and the rare Adonis blue.
Visitors can enjoy walking or riding through the woodland admiring the newly coppiced areas with splendid views of chalk grassland and hidden valleys.
An active and wide-ranging series of events is run by the Bredhurst Woodland Action Group.
Address
Bredhurst Village Hall
Hurstwood Road
Bredhurst
Gillingham
ME7 3JZ
Further information
- Bredhurst Wood map.
- There are a small number of parking spaces available at Bredhurst Village Hall which is near the footpath into the woods.
