Grid reference TQ699686 Location map English Nature Notification 1968 | Interest Biological Area of search Kent | |
Cobham woods 2 mp4
Cobham Wood is an area of woodland, much of which is owned by the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (grid reference TQ699686), located between Strood, Cuxton and Cobham in Kent. The SSSI includes the arable land in the Ranscombe Farm country park and nature reserve.
The managed ancient woodland is largely sweet chestnut coppice with some coniferous plantations, while the parkland is mature woodland, with some clearings, of oak, sweet chestnut, beech, hornbeam, and other species. The soils range from acidic Thanet Sands to Upper Cretaceous Chalk. Managed grazing by deer, created woodland pastures devoid of ground shrubs, this has reverted but is being re-established. The arable land, has been a noted spot for botanists since the 1690s, and references to it occur in books on Chalk Grassland.
The woodland was part of the Cobham Hall estate, now ranger managed, and secured to prevent vehicular access. The Darnley Mausoleum, located in the wood, has been rescued and restored, and much of the woodland and the Mausoleum are now in the care of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, open for all to visit and enjoy. See National Trust website for opening times [1]