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Scathes Wood

✦ Ancient woodland20 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome20 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
  • 🅿️Ightham Mote (National Trust) 9m away — 2 car parks within reach

Good to know

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

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, Blackbird +69 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird +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 +20 more · last seen 2025; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Emperor Dragonfly, Hairy Shieldbug +20 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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
Boundary Walk, KnoleWalking route5 km
Named routeLength 5 kmDuration 01:15Round tripLocal walking route
Ightham Mote Circular Walk to Wilmot Hill, Ightham MoteWalking route6.4 km

Enjoy the Kentish countryside from the Ightham Mote estate as you walk the periphery of a large part of its 580 acres. The walk incorporates Scathes Wood, the Greensand Way, Wilmot Hill and Broadhoath Wood. Some steep inclines. Not suitable for wheels.

Named routeLength 6.4 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
🐴

Horse riding

15 public paths nearby

Public paths
MR343bridleway · 520 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 520 mPath type: bridleway
MR425bridleway · 681 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 681 mPath type: bridleway
MR426bridleway · 644 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 644 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
Greensand Way - SR143bridleway · 611 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 611 mSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
MR348bridleway · 419 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 419 mSurface grassPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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