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Alders Shaw

✦ Ancient woodland15 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome15 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Carrion Crow +69 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Carrion Crow +69 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Japanese Knotweed · last seen 2024

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Emperor Dragonfly, Hairy Shieldbug +22 more · last seen 2025; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Emperor Dragonfly, Hairy Shieldbug +22 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Woodland Ramble, KnoleWalking route4 km
Named routeLength 4 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
Ightham Mote Circular Walk to Old Soar Manor, Ightham MoteWalking route11.2 km

This circular links two National Trust places, both dating back to medieval England. The trail goes through Scathes ancient woodland, into the Fairlawne Estate & onto Plaxtol Spout before returning to Ightham Mote through orchards & the Greensand Way.

Named routeLength 11.2 kmDuration 04:30Round tripLocal walking route
Greensand WayWalking route
Named routeRef GWRegional walking route
WealdwayWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Family Walk, KnoleWalking route5 km

This is a 5km walk over a mixture of hard surfaces and concrete. There are also sections of short grass and bare earth. Paths climb and descend throughout the walk. Dogs welcome on a lead. This walk is suited to visitors with sturdy pushchairs.

Named routeLength 5 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
MR395public footpath · 278 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 278 mPath type: footway
MR386public footpath · 526 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 526 mSurface compactedPath type: track
🐴

Horse riding

14 public paths nearby

Public paths
Greensand Way - SR143bridleway · 611 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 611 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
MR348bridleway · 419 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 419 mSurface grassPath type: bridleway
MR430bridleway · 93 m

Seasonally muddy in wet weather.

Public pathbridlewayLength 93 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway
MR430bridleway · 138 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 138 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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