Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Cole Wood

✦ Ancient woodland5 ha

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

51.22062, 0.78748

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕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

10 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon +56 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon +56 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Bluebell, Capillary Thread-moss, Rough-stalked Feather-moss +53 more · last seen 2018

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown +80 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown +80 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Great Scented Liverwort, Dandelion, Elder

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Stour Valley WalkWalking route
Named routeListed length 82.9 kmRegional walking route
Oftord to Canterbury CathedralWalking route

follows North Downs Way from Otford to Broughton Lees

Named routeRegional walking route
Scenic Green Trail Section 7Walking route13.6 km
Named routeRef SGT7Length 13.6 kmLocal walking route
North Downs Way (Eastern)Walking route
Named routeNational walking route
Greensand WayWalking route
Named routeRef GWRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

37 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN National Route 177 (Proposed)Cycling route
Named routeRef 177National Cycle Network
Pilgrims Cycle TrailCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
NCN National Route 17Cycling route
Named routeRef 17National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route477 m
Named routeRef 17Length 477 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route273 m
Named routeRef 17Length 273 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route562 m
Named routeRef 17Length 562 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths
Pilgrims Waybyway open to all traffic · 1.7 km
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 1.7 kmSurface compactedPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Cole Wood on a frosty morning

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cole Wood on a frosty morning

1 / 22

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

⛪St Peter and St Paul's ChurchReligious grounds1.3 km→🌱Charing Alderbed MeadowUrban park1.7 km→✦The archbishop's palaceHistoric site1.3 km→🐄Charing Farm ShopVisitor farm1.6 km→🌱Cherry DownsUrban park3.1 km→🌱Deal Field ShawUrban park1 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 487231e0-263d-4a95-86a8-f101f3153a65