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St Leonard's Wood

✦ Ancient woodland200 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome200 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
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
  • 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Parking

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin +58 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin +58 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Springy Turf-moss · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Pollenia, Sarcophaga, Marmalade Hoverfly +136 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Pollenia, Sarcophaga, Marmalade Hoverfly +136 more · last seen 2024

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

8 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Oftord to Canterbury CathedralWalking route

follows North Downs Way from Otford to Broughton Lees

Named routeRegional 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
Scenic Green Trail Section 1Walking route6.4 km
Named routeRef SGT1Length 6.4 kmLocal walking route
North Downs Way (Eastern)Walking route
Named routeNational walking route
Greensand WayWalking route
Named routeRef GWRegional walking route
Tower Hillpublic footpath · 513 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 513 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
Tower Hillpublic footpath · 168 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 168 mSurface concretePath type: service
🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN National Route 178Cycling route
Named routeRef 178National Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

2 public paths nearby

Public paths
Lord's Walkbridleway · 2.5 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 2.5 kmSurface dirtPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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