Lenham Orchard, also known as Cherry Downs, is an open access picnic site with wide spreading views across the greensand ridge and onto to Romney Marsh and the sea.
Cherry Downs is a small new Morello cherry orchard which celebrates the heritage of Lenham and the surrounding area. This site has been transformed by the Mid Kent Downs Countryside Partnership into a community orchard as part of the Kent Orchards for Everyone project in partnership with Lenham Parish Council. Reputedly 20,000 Morello and wild cherry trees grew in the area at the turn of the 20th century for the production of Grants Morella Cherry Brandy at both factories in Lenham and Maidstone.
The orchard welcomes you with a rustic gate of cherries and blossom enhancing the rolling Downs of the area. The site celebrates 28 sour cherry trees some sweet cherry and plum. Around the edge of the orchard area are apple and pear trees. Behind a privet hedge, hidden from view is a newly planted cobnut plat. This links with the village of Platts Heath part of Lenham parish.
Address
Cherry Downs
Rayners Hill
Warren Street
Lenham
Kent ME17 2PE
Further information
Lenham Downs is one of 12 viewpoints in partnership with Discovering Britain and the Kent Downs National Landscape: A taste of cherry.