Grid reference TR277453 Location map Natural England | Interest Biological Phone +44 7495 331052 Notification 1951 | |
Hours Open today ยท Open 24 hoursWednesdayOpen 24 hoursThursdayOpen 24 hoursFridayOpen 24 hoursSaturdayOpen 24 hoursSundayOpen 24 hoursMondayOpen 24 hoursTuesdayOpen 24 hours Similar Blean Woods National, Stodmarsh National Nature R, Tyland Barn, Oare Marshes, Pegwell Bay | ||
Lydden and Temple Ewell Downs are a stretch of chalk downland near Dover in East Kent. The site is a national nature reserve, owned and managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust and is also listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. There are plans to extend the site.
Ecology
The main chalk grassland communities are CG4 Brachypodium pinnatum and CG5 Bromus erectus - Brachypodium pinnatum. The reserve supports a rich flora and is notable for its orchids which include the nationally scarce Burnt Orchid (Neotinea ustulata) and Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes). The chalk grassland is an important site for insects. It is the only site in Kent for the Wart-biter (Decticus verrucivorus) and also supports the Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus) and Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon).