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Traffic Blue Bell Hill

•   Blue Bell Hill
• Nearby: Aylesford Rochester Maidstone Gillingham Leeds Gravesend

Current traffic around Blue Bell Hill

The following traffic incidents and congestion for Blue Bell Hill have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

Traffic in Nearby Villages

• Walderslade (0.62mi)
• Kit's Coty (0.62mi)
• Burham (1.24mi)
• Eccles (1.39mi)
• Lords Wood (1.86mi)
• Burham Court (1.86mi)
• Pratling Street (1.86mi)
• Westfield Sole (1.96mi)
• Wayfield (1.96mi)
• Wouldham (2.24mi)
• Chatham (2.24mi)
• Millhall (2.24mi)
• Lidsing (2.48mi)
• Holborough (2.48mi)
• Snodland (2.55mi)
• Borstal (2.56mi)
• Forstal (2.56mi)
• Little Preston (2.56mi)
• Abbey Gate (2.56mi)
• Sandling (2.56mi)
• Hale (2.63mi)
• Halling (2.77mi)
• Ham Hill (2.77mi)
• Luton (2.78mi)

Blue Bell Hill

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A229 Blue Bell Hill

The A229 Blue Bell Hill stretches between Junction 6 of the M20 in Maidstone and Junction 3 of the M2 at Blue Bell Hill village. This section of road is a key strategic link between the M20 and M2, and between Maidstone and Medway.

Improvements are needed to increase journey time reliability, reduce delays and enhance road safety on the route.

What will change

This scheme is still in an early phase of design and further modelling and assessment work will be done to finalise a design that meets the scheme objectives.

In September 2020 there was an early engagement consultation to ask for feedback on 3 possible options.  From the consultation and further development work, options 1 and 2 have been taken forward for further investigation and option 3 was dropped from the proposals. The consultation brochure and report can be viewed in the scheme documents section.

Scheme cost

This scheme is currently estimated to cost up to £199 million. We have put in a bid to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Major Road Network funding programme for ‘Large Local Major Schemes.’ If successful, this will cover 85% of the costs of the scheme. The remaining 15% will be from developer contributions and other government funding opportunities.

Scheme documents

A229 Blue Bell Hill consultation document (PDF, 926.7 KB)

A229 Blue Bell Hill Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) (PDF, 353.8 KB)

A229 Blue Bell Hill consultation report (PDF, 984.5 KB)

A249 Blue Bell Hill scheme plan option 1 (PDF, 8.4 MB)

A249 Blue Bell Hill scheme plan option 2 (PDF, 8.4 MB)

Why we're making the changes

This scheme is needed to tackle high levels of congestion, concerns regarding road safety, poor air quality and to support local growth and additional traffic from the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) .

The overall aim of the scheme is to improve journey time reliability and road safety. This will allow the road to accommodate an increase in future traffic, expected as a result of the Lower Thames Crossing and proposed local developments, while providing suitable routes and facilities for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.

Scheme objectives

The objectives of this scheme are to:

• improve journey time reliability at the M2 Junction 3 and M20 Junction 6 interchanges of the A229
• reduce congestion along the route
• enable the local area to develop in accordance with population and housing growth predicated under Local Plans
• reduce the impact of additional traffic from the Lower Thames Crossing and allow the Lower Thames Crossing to maximise potential benefits it can provide for the Kent area
• improve road safety and address known accident hotspots
• make best use of existing assets including land and highways
• provide suitable routes and facilities for public transport
• provide safe and improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists
• improve air quality, particularly in the Air Quality Management Area
• protect and enhance the local environment.

Latest updates

January 2024.

We have now received approval to our Strategic Outline Business Case from the DfT and are seeking funding for the next stage of the work needed for the project. The next stage of the work includes:

• more detailed development of the options to establish a preferred scheme
• refining and developing the design of the chosen option
• development of environmental mitigation plans
• further engagement with the community and other stakeholders
• agreement of funding
• planning and other statutory consents
• development of construction plans to manage both the timing of works and impacts on traffic during construction of the scheme.

Anticipated timescales

The forecasted timescales for this junction improvement scheme, should our business case submission be successful, are:

• submission of the next stage of the business case to the DfT including details of the preferred scheme - late 2025
• planning permission and consents - late 2025
• further detailed design - spring 2025 to spring 2027
• submission of full business case to the DfT - autumn 2027
• construction to begin - spring 2028
• scheme completion – summer 2030 (aim to be completed before the Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic).

The government Large Local Majors programme provides money dedicated to improvements to the Major Road Network.

Blue Bell Hill

Beth Hukins

• Butterflies
• Stunning views
• Wildflowers

Carpark is now open 9am to 5pm

OS Map Reference

Know before you go

Parking information, bicycle parking, grazing animals, walking trails.

The North Downs Way passses through this reserve.

Unsurfaced public footpaths with kissing gates, some paths are narrow, steep and uneven. Essentially this site is for admiring the view, which can be seen from the car park. One of the picnic benches is level with the car park; one is set on a small mound; one is up a short flight of steps.

When to visit

Opening times, best time to visit, about the reserve.

Quite possibly the loftiest nature reserve in the county, having uninterrupted panaromic views across the Weald.

There is a diverse number of threatened or unusual plant species on this important chalk grassland habitat creating carpets of colour during the summer months. One of the smallest, Squinancywort, has masses of tiny whitish/pink flowers which can make the site look frosted even on the warmest of days.

This rich plantlife supports a variety of specialist insects including butterflies such as Chalk hill blue, Adonis blue and Brown argus.

Where the fine wildflower filled grassland meets the bushes, there is a tangle of bramble and other rough plants. This is the perfect spot for reptiles and small mammals, such as the bank vole, to forage for food.

• Salad burnet
• Common bird's-foot-trefoil
• Quaking-grass
• Bulbous buttercup
• Brown argus
• Peregrine falcon
• Adonis blue
• Autumn gentian

Environmental designation

Nearby nature reserves.

Burham Down

Greg Hitchcock

Westfield Wood

Tyland Barn Nature Park & Gardens

Blue Bell Hill ride

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Gaze over the River Medway and the Kent Downs as your 4.5 mile (7.3km) journey takes you through secluded woodland, open farmland and then follows the route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

The River Medway was an important transport route, being navigable since Roman times and later serving the quarrying industry of the valley. The legacy of this quarrying, past and present, can be clearly seen across the valley.

The area is rich in wildlife and a number of nature reserves are located near the route. The journey takes you between Monk Wood and Bridge Woods and passes Shoulder of Mutton Wood, high on the crest of the downs, now owned by the Woodland Trust.

A Bronze Age burial mound is situated in the northern section of Shoulder of Mutton Wood. Woodland has grown up on this prominent high spot overlooking the Medway Valley.

The southern section of the wood was devastated in the 1987 hurricane but is regenerating well.

If you would like to extend your ride, you can continue along the North Downs Way from the Robin Hood pub for more spectacular views.

Note that as part of the route runs adjacent to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, trains appear suddenly and at high speed. Please consider whether your horse would find this disturbing before embarking on the ride.

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The Blue Bell Hill crash anniversary and other ghostly tales from West Kent's past

West Kent has been the topic of many ghostly sightings over the years, some of which have become the stuff of Halloween legend.

The legend of the Ghost of Blue Bell Hill is one that comes up every year, and next month, November 19 will mark 55 years since the crash resulted in tragedy.

In 1965 on the main road linking Medway and Maidstone, Suzanne Browne and her two friends were killed in the smash.

The 24-year-old was returning from her hen night when her Ford Cortina spun out of control on the A229, colliding with a Jaguar.

Her friend Judith Lingham, 22, died on the road while Miss Browne and Patricia Ferguson, 23, died days later in Maidstone Hospital.

The tragedy left behind a mysterious legacy, with unexplained visions reported throughout the 1960s and 70s - although ghostly sightings there are said to date even further back, to the 1930s.

In 1972 Bob Vandepeer said he gave a lift to a girl on the hill only to later turn around and discover the hitchhiker had vanished in the back of the car.

In 1971 James Skene was driving home from work when a girl in her 20s suddenly appeared in front of his car. He gave her a lift to Chatham, but when she got out she disappeared.

There have also been stories of a girl who stares into the eyes of drivers as she steps out into the road, unable to stop cars crashing into her.

Pilgrims Way in Sevenoaks also has a story to tell.

According to Pat Cox and Mike Hanagan, the authors of Legends of Kent, those carrying out an excavation in 1965 made a gruesome discovery.

The skeleton of a girl with a wooden stake driven through her rib-cage was found between the crossroads of Pilgrims Way and Old London Road in Wrotham.

The impalement suggests she would have been considered a witch when she died.

And it's not just roads spiritual believers come flocking to Kent for.

A boarding school in Maidstone has also earned a reputation for being one of the most haunted schools in England.

Cox and Hanagan also say the spirit of a small drummer boy is one of the oldest ghost stories relating to Sutton Valence School in North Street.

Sightings of the unidentified boy playing on a patch of lawn have been recorded more than a dozen times in the last 300 years.

A 'lady in white' has also been spotted floating down a tunnel near the main school building as though patrolling the area.

Another well known paranormal story refers to one of the previous school masters who took his own life in his study.

Several sightings of a man wearing the same clothes he is believed to have worn when he died, a coat and striped trousers, have been recorded.

Some say they have even heard his faithful dog Jack whimpering in the night.

A phantom black dog is also known to roam the grounds in the historic building of Leeds Castle.

Multiple sources say the canine has appeared in the old fortress, and sightings usually mean bad luck for the castle owners.

It's thought the dog is linked to King Henry VI's aunt, Eleanor Cobham, who was found guilty of practicing witchcraft and treason in the 15-century.

She was imprisoned for life in Leeds Castle and is said to have conjured up the animal in a revenge spell.

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Kent's most haunted: The terrifying tale of the Blue Bell Hill Bride and how she haunts A229 drivers

Have you spotted the spooky woman running across the road?

• 15:25, 23 OCT 2022

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Thousands of drivers pass by the A229 Blue Bell Hill every single day - but how many know about its supernatural resident? The road itself has been surrounded by mystery for decades, with more than 50 reported supernatural sightings in the area.

It has made a name for itself as one of the most famous haunted spots in Kent, with many motorists claiming they have seen a young bride waiting by the roadside. It is believed this ghost is that of 22-year-old bride Suzanne Browne, who was killed with two friends in a road traffic accident near the bridge over the Old Chatham Road on the eve of her wedding on November 19, 1965.

Four years after the accident, a man on his way home to Rochester late at night, saw two pedestrians walking towards him, then suddenly disappear. On another occasion he witnessed the pedestrians again, walking across the road, however this time a car drove straight through them.

READ MORE: Mum's traumatic birth 8 years before avoidable baby deaths at QEQM exposed

In 1971 James Skene was driving home from work when a girl in her early 20s suddenly appeared in front of his car. He gave her a lift to Chatham, but when she got out he said she disappeared into thin air.

Some years later, in 1992, three drivers reported hitting someone who ran into the road at night, but there was no evidence or a body to be found. Coach driver Ian Sharpe, 56, saw the ghost only just over a week before the anniversary of the car crash.

He told The Sun: “I had come out of the Blue Bell Hill slip-road, from the village, coming down the hill. I saw this woman and I thought, ‘Oh, she’ll go back, she won’t come across.’

“But then she just ran straight in front of the car and I hit her on her left side…she was looking at me all the time. I honestly thought that I had killed her. You can’t imagine how it felt.

“I was so scared to look underneath, but I knelt down and looked straight through – there was nothing there.”

In fact over the years, huge numbers of unsuspecting motorists have witnessed a woman running out in front of their cars late at night, often locking eyes with them before being hit and vanishing. No evidence of a collision has ever been found, nor has there ever been a victim found either.

As recently as February this year one eagle-eyed driver has spotted what looks like a ghostly figure on Blue Bell Hill amid snow chaos. Hundreds of cars had to be abandoned on Blue Bell Hill and Detling Hill as snow lashed the north of Kent, just when people thought the county had escaped the worst.

The picture shows cars at a standstill and in the distance, what appears to be the outline of a person standing next to the central reservation. One onlooker said the figure looked like an adult with a child.

The spooky spot had people speculating that it could be the A229's famous ghost, which has been known to fling itself in front of vehicles. But the bride is not the only ghost of Blue Bell Hill.

Other motorists have reported hitting a woman wearing a red scarf near the Robin Hood junction, who stares intently at the driver before disappearing under the bonnet. According to legend, this could be a young Rochester maid who was allegedly murdered in the early 20th century.

The maid named Emily Trigg visited her mother in Blue Bell Hill every Sunday, and she was last seen walking with a soldier on Blue Bell Hill in 1916. Her body was discovered six years later in an area near Blue Bell Hill, with some motorists even claiming the girl has asked them to drive her to Burham Cemetery - where she is buried.

The ghost of an old lady has also been seen on Blue Bell Hill for many years. It is believed she once lived in the woods near Blue Bell Hill, and resents anyone who crosses her path.

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Mudpie Fridays >> Bluebells >> 17 Of The Best Places To See Bluebells in Kent

17 Of The Best Places To See Bluebells in Kent

One of my favourite flowers is native bluebells. That means that in late April when bluebell season hits, I can normally be found hunting out the English bluebell. Either at a National Trust property or a Kent wildlife trust nature reserve where you can normally find plenty this time of year. There are some lovely Kent bluebell wood and Kent bluebell walks to explore. Along with some of the more formal gardens of the  National Trust properties in Kent . Then I pulled together a list of 18 places in Kent to see bluebells. Bluebells flower between the end of April and late May.  If you are aware of any other locations in Kent then please let me know about them in the comments below and I will get them added to this post. 

Table of Contents

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

• Where  – Riverhill, Sevenoaks TN15 0RR
• Cost  –  Adults £12 and children are £7.50 with a family ticket starting at £35.
• More Information  – This is a lovely location to spot bluebells and enjoy the outdoors. Each year the hold an annual bluebell festival. It opens back up for the season in March and is open Wednesday through to Sunday. You can enjoy all of the bluebells in all their glory by following the special trail. The perfect place for some picture opportunities. There is an annual bluebell-inspired garden room and a cafe onsite to enjoy. As well as some of the other things to experience during your visit. The perfect place to see bluebells in Kent.  The walled garden hosts weddings so it is worth checking this in advance on their website. There is a large free car park. 
• Find out more  – For more information visit the   Riverhill Himalayan Garden website .

Walmer Castle

• Where  – Kingsdown Rd, Walmer, Deal CT14 7LJ
• Cost  –  Adult prices start at £12.90 without a donation. Children’s prices start at £7.70.  Please note that the castle is currently closed  for restoration work in 2024. English Heritage is offering a discount to compensate for this. Make sure you use the correct code at the checkout if ordering your tickets online. 
• More Information  –  This is a beautiful English Heritage site that is a very special day out as it is but visiting during the months of April and May will leave you with a vision of blue thanks to the bluebells that cover the areas. A lot of effort has been made to ensure that the gardens are riots of colour in the Springtime. Starting with daffodils and snowdrops. There are eight acres of award-winning gardens, although head to the Paddock area to see the swathes of bluebells in Kent. You can explore the beautiful gardens, the wooded areas as well as the castle itself. 
• Find out more  – Visit the  English Heritage website  for more details. 

Emmetts Garden

• Where  – Ide Hill, Sevenoaks TN14 6BA
• Cost  –  Adult price £13. Children’s price £6.50 with family tickets from £32.50. Free for National Trust Members.
• More Information  – A wonderful National Trust location it is no surprise that Emmetts Garden becomes a blanket of blue during the Spring months. This is a woodland area with plenty of opportunities to see the bluebells in all their glory. This is a great place to visit for an afternoon or day out with the family with its wild play area, including a mud kitchen. The gardens are amazing and there is a cafe onsite for you to hydrate or grab a warm drink. 
• There is also a circular walk that follows a hilly route through the Weald of Kent. It links Emmetts Garden with Chartwell (see below). It also passes through the woodland areas of Toys Hill and Hosey Common, as well as the pretty hamlet of French Street. Ideal for exploring the woodland floor and looking for bluebells and wood anemones.
• Find out more – Visit the  National Trust website  for more details. 

Scotney Castle

• Where  – Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells TN3 8JN
• Cost  – The adult price is £12, children’s price is £6, families from £30. These prices are for the gardens only, the house is currently closed. 
• More Information  – Another of our favourite National Trust locations and close to several others in Kent is the beautiful Scotney Castle. Aside from the beautiful ruins of the moated castle and Victorian house, you can take some time out to explore Colliers Wood and Broadham Wood which are both perfect areas for a bluebell walk. Since it is a National Trust location you have the usual amenities that you can expect which makes it much easier when visiting with children. This is the perfect place to enjoy a day out with the whole family and four-legged friends. One of the best spots for Kent bluebells. 
• Find out more  – Visit the  National Trust website  for more details. 

Bedgebury National Pinetum

• Where  – Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
• Cost  –  There is no cost to enter but you do need to pay for parking which can cost up to £14.50 for a full day during peak times. Some activities such as the Gruffalo Trail also have additional costs. 
• More Information  – With over 12000 trees and shrubs scattered all over the Bedgebury Pinetum, this is one of the best spots to enjoy bluebell woods in Kent. The Visitor Centre features a wonderful café with panoramic views across the Pinetum, a cycle hire shop and bike wash, toilets, showers, and an information centre. There are lots of different trails to enjoy, natural play areas for the kids and if you are feeling brave Go Ape. You can take a picnic, walk the circular woodland walk and be greeted by carpets of bluebells during your visit. It is quiet and picturesque. 
• Find out more  – For more information   Forestry England website  for more details. 

Penshurst Place

• Where  – Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG
• Cost  – The adult price starts at £14. The children’s ticket is £7.80. 
• More Information  – A lot of work has been ongoing at Penshurst Place, especially on the woodland trail. Where they have been cutting back growth to allow light to the woodland floor to encourage bluebell growth. A 1km loop, walk along the trail and you will discover log pyramids, mushroom carvings, dead-hedging, stumperies and a abundance of wildlife. Stroll the acres of parkland surrounding the estate, and enjoy the children’s playground, before venturing into beautifully designed gardens. There is so much to see and do here that you can easily spend the day with the family exploring the house and gardens. 
• Find out more  – For more information visit  Penshurst Place

Hole Park Gardens

• Where  – Benenden Rd, Rolvenden, Cranbrook TN17 4JA
• Cost  – Tickets can be brought in advance online, adult tickets cost £11 and the children’s ticket price starts at £2.50. Tickets are more expensive on the day.
• More Information  – If you are after lots of colour then look no further than Hole Park Gardens. A beautiful magical parkland where you will find lots of bluebells to admire and plenty to see and do. The gardens are not just filled with bluebells but lots of other stunning florals. Magnificent mature magnolia trees will also be flowering throughout the gardens and woodlands. 
• Find out more  – visit  Hole Park website  to see the bluebell barometer, designed to help guide you with the development of the flowers in the gardens.

• Where  – Mapleton Road, Westerham TN16 1PS
• Cost  – The adult price is £20 for the gardens and houses, children cost £10 and a family ticket £50 without gift aid. 
• More Information  – One of my favourite National Trust locations. Chartwell House was the family home and garden of Winston Churchill.  With formal gardens and parkland there is also an extensive woodland area. With several different play areas, including a large tree house and woodland walk routes. Here you will be able to see the beautiful seas of bluebells. Enjoy a bite to eat at the delicious Cafe, take the kids to the natural play areas, and soak up the beautiful outdoors. This is a great option to add to the list on your hunt for bluebells in Kent. This is everything you expect from a National Trust attraction and so much more. One of the best places to see bluebells and enjoy a family day out. 
• For those looking for something more energetic. You can explore Mariners Hill on a circular trail. At the top of Mariners Hill, you can take in the fantastic views over Chartwell and the Weald in Kent and Kent countryside.
• Find out more  – More information can be found on the  National Trust website  for more details. 

Sissinghurst 

• Where  – Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
• Cost – Car parking costs £4 but is free for National Trust members. Entrance tickets are £13 for an adult, £6.50 for a child and a family ticket costs £32.50.
• More Information –  Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are beauitful. These glorious gardens were designed by Sarah Raven during her time managing them. Althoughif you are looking for bluebells then these are located in the woodland area. With over half of the 150 arces being a carpet of bluebells in early May.
• Find out more – Visit the National Trust website .

Eliot Woods

• Where  – Canterbury, University of Kent. 
• Cost  –  No cost. 
• More Information  – Upper Eliot Pond located by the University of Kent has an enchanting display of bluebells from late Spring. While Eliot Wood is not as widely known as some other bluebell woods in Kent, such as Emmetts Garden or Sissinghurst Castle Woodland, it can still offer a delightful experience for those who visit during the peak blooming period. Located close to University Road and the Venue is within a mixed deciduous woodland. A stream runs from Upper Eliot down to Lower Eliot Pond, a small to medium pond that is located to the south of Bluebell Wood next to a footpath that runs down the southern slopes of the campus.
• Find out more  – on the  University of Kent website . 

Ashenbank Wood

• Where  – Halfpence Lane, Gravesend DA12 3BH
• Cost  –  No cost
• More Information  – Ashenbank Wood is a broadleaved ancient woodland of oak and a site of special scientific interest in the Kent Downs Area of outstanding natural beauty. The perfect setting for a longer stroll where you will get the opportunity to see the beautiful bluebells in the months of April and May. A mix of ancient woodland and wonderful wildlife. There is parking on-site and way-marked trails at this bluebell woods in Kent.
• Find out more  – For more information including grid references visit the   Woodland Trust website .

Trosley Country Park

• Where  – Waterlow Road, Vigo, Vigo Village, Gravesend DA13 0SG
• Cost  –  The car park is pay and display
• More Information  – Trosley Country Park is made up of 170 acres of beautiful woodland and chalk grassland. You can enjoy a self-guided trail of the bluebells or take it all in at your own speed and in your own direction. It is one of the best bluebells locations in Kent. Not only that there is lots to see and do while you are there. Including trim trails, play areas, picnic areas and plenty of walking trails. There is also a cafe on-site for 
• Find out more  – For more information see the  Kent County Council website .

Ightham Mote

• Where  – Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT
• Cost  – Entrance for the house, estate and gardens costs £16 for adults, £8 for children and a family ticket for £40.
• More Information  – Close by some of the other National Trust properties mentioned in this post. You can take part in an 8.5 mile circular walk through the surrounding fields to Knole and back again. Ightham Mote is a 546-acre national trust estate, you will find the bluebells in Scathes Wood. There is a lot to see during a walk here, such as many different types of trees, flowers, and animals. It is a National Trust spot so you also have the rest of the estate to explore during your time there, as well as a shop and cafe onsite. The children will enjoy the natural play area. 
• Find out more  – For more information visit the  National Trust website . 

Hucking Estate

• Where  – Hollingbourne, Maidstone ME17 1QP
• Cost  –  No cost 
• More Information  – This is a lovely spot to visit when it comes to seeking out bluebells in Kent. Sitting on the North Downs it has earned the acclaim of being in the top five of Woodland Trust bluebell walks. As well as the wild bluebell, the 232-hectare area also offers a variety of other stunning wildflowers, archaeological remains and panoramic views of the weald. Perfect for pictures and a great place to explore. There are lots of woodland trails to follow. There is parking on site as well. 
• Find out more  – For more information visit the  Woodland Trust website .

Ranscombe Farm 

• Where  – 7 Ranscombe Farm Cottages, Cuxton, Rochester ME2 1LA
• Cost  –  Entry is free
• More Information  – Discover a carpet of bluebells on the North Downs with a visit to Ranscombe Farm Reserve and working farm. The nature reserve is a haven for wild plants and stunning flowers. It is an important botanical site being home to one of Britain’s rarest wildflowers. Meadow Clary was first found in the UK at Ranscombe in 1699 and still survives in the same spot. There are quiet walks where you can peacefully enjoy the views of the bluebells and see lots of stunning views. A great place to grab some pictures. 
• Find out more  – More information including maps can be found on the  Kent Downs website . 

Hamstreet Woods

• Where  – 3 Bourne Lane, Hamstreet, Ashford TN26 2HH
• Cost  –  Entry is free
• More Information – A spring walk in Hamstreet Woods will reveal woodland glades carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones. The nature reserve has been managed using traditional methods such as coppicing to allow the wildlife to flourish. Home to rare moths and butterflies, rare birds such as the nightingale and hawfinch. Along with two protected species, the great crested newt and the dormouse. There are dedicated trails which are suitable for young children at this bluebell woods in Kent. 
• Find out more  – For more information visit the  Woodland Trust website .

King’s Wood

• Where  – White Hill, Challock, Kent, TN25 4AP
• Cost  –  There is free parking at King’s Wood.
• More Information – A beautiful 1500-acre woodland which is managed by Forest England. There are many walking trails to explore and it has one of the biggest displays of bluebells in Kent. Follow trails that take you through the woodland and there are normally several sculptures to discover. This bluebell woods in Kent is popular with dog walkers.
• Find out more  – Visit the  Forestry England website  for more details. 

Related Blog Posts – Bluebells in Kent

If you have enjoyed this blog post on bluebell walks in Sussex, then you may find some of these others about the local area of interest:

• Places to see Bluebells in Sussex
• 10 Best National Trust places in Sussex
• Places to see Bluebells in Surrey
• 10 Best National Trust places in Surrey
• 10 Best National Trust places in Kent
• The Best Kent Coastal Towns to visit

Are you planning on visiting any bluebell walks in Kent? I am always on the hunt for new bluebell woods in Kent. Please let me know about your favourite bluebell walks in the comments below. 

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Welcome to Mudpie Fridays where I share our travels. Both here in the UK but also across Europe and further afield. My name is Clare and I am married with two mischievous boys, Charlie aged 11 and Harry who is 7. Read along as we find hidden gems, pack as much holiday time in as possible, while working a 9-5 and find amazing and unusual experiences. Proving travel can be fun, educational and hugely rewarding with kids. Grab a coffee and come and join us on our latest adventures.

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Today's Most Popular Posts

Campaigners call for £10m to revive bluebell wood

T he clear-up of an ancient bluebell woodland in Kent blighted by “illegally” dumped waste will cost an estimated £10m, campaigners have said.

Thousands of tonnes of waste, including rubble, toys and sanitary products, have turned once-picturesque Hoad's Wood, near Ashford, into a “desolate wasteland”, according to CPRE Kent.

A petition signed by more than 6,500 people called for an "immediate clean-up" of the site, which was shut by the Environment Agency (EA) in January to prevent further waste-tipping.

The action group, Rescue Hoad's Wood, is calling on the government to approve a £10m budget for the site's full clearance and its replanting with native species.

Campaigners estimate it will take six months for waste to be cleared from the area, which has been designated a site of special scientific interest.

It is also an area of outstanding natural beauty, which ought to be carpeted in bluebells at this time of year but instead huge swathes of the woodland is buried in waste tens of feet deep.

A spokesperson for Rescue Hoad's Wood said “time is ticking” for the budget to clear the site to be approved.

They said the risk to wildlife and the wider environment was expected to rise with higher temperatures in the summer.

The petition follows an open letter written earlier this month to the Environment Secretary Steve Barclay by six organisations calling for support and funding to clear the site, which began seeing issues with waste being dumped there in 2020.

Rescue Hoad's Wood campaigners said community members would see as many as 20-30 trucks per day dumping waste at the woods at the height of the problem in July 2023.

Ashford Borough Council has said to date it had been “unable to establish that the issues have crossed the threshold of a statutory nuisance” but that it continued to "liaise with the relevant agencies" including Natural England and the EA.

The EA reiterated that it was continuing its investigations into illegal fly-tipping at the site and was "determined to keep one step ahead of criminals".

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook , on X , and on Instagram . Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story

• The bluebell woodland turned 'desolate wasteland'
• Groups call for action over waste left in woodland
• Calls for clean-up of 'illegal' Kent waste tip
• Waste site closed down over illegal tipping

Related Internet Links

• Rescue Hoads Wood
• Environment Agency

Top places to find bluebells in Kent

Fellow bluebell seekers, it’s our favourite time of year!

The county is blooming with a burst of spring, so it's the perfect time to head out and see the beautiful bluebell come to life. With ancient woodland all across Kent, you can spot carpets of indigo on many a rural ramble from April and we've got heaps of suggestions of the best places to find this floral favourite.

We admit, we’ve only scratched the surface with our favourite bluebell haunts, so if you have a favourite let us know - and most importantly, share your spring pictures with us on Instagram! 

And if you're in the mood to find more blooms, check out our guide to the best places for spring flowers of every colour in Kent.

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Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

For a true bluebell celebration, come along to the Riverhill Gardens and its Bluebell Festival running from 24th April to the 6th May, including Bank Holiday Monday which includes a themed Craft Fair in their Garden Room where you can explore a range of handmade, unique treats, including ceramics, jewelry, glass work, fine art, quilting and skin care. To see the real thing, take in all of the blue-fuelled glory as you walk through their trail in their amazing Bluebell Wood - be sure to bring those cameras! Plus, visit in early May and explore their historic collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, many of which were brought back to Riverhill by the original plant hunters - an unmissable time in the gardens!

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Walmer Castle

With eight acres of award-winning gardens, it should come as no surprise that Walmer Castle made our list. Known for those beautiful formal gardens, the castle makes for a glorious visit any time of year, but it's spring when the woodland garden and meadow really come alive. 

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Emmetts Garden

A sea of blue awaits at Emmetts Garden. Stretched across the slopes of the Edwardian hillside garden, enjoy woodland wanders and plenty of sightings of bluebells, but don’t lose sight of the sensational panoramic views of the Weald that are never very far away.

Keepers Cottages

Our friends over at Keepers Cottages recommend the coastal woodland of Kingsdown Wood, which is just a 15 minute walk from the Kingsdown Beach and so it can be combined with a warm spring day for a coastal wander! Once you've exhausted the kids and four-legged friends, be sure to spend a night or two at some of their best properties on the east coast. All of the below properties are pet friendly and have wood burners: 

Flint House , which sleeps four guests in two bedrooms has sea views and a modern spacious interior.

Cliffeside Cottage sleeps 6 guests in three bedrooms, is just seconds from the beach!

Victory at Cliffe sleeps six guests in three bedrooms, is also seconds from the beach, and the interior to match!

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Caracol Camping

Sat just behind Caracol's meadow in the High Weald of Kent & Sussex sits an ancient coppiced woodland. During the month of May, the woodland comes alive with a carpet of stunning bluebells that the guests can enjoy. Come for a walk, join on to the WealdWay and Tunbridge Wells Circular walk, and be sure to visit the local Groombridge farm shop where you can get some fresh and local produce.

What's the perfect combination? Kentish wine and bluebells to brighten up a spring day! The woods surrounding Gusbourne’s vineyards are awash with the beautiful blue blooms come spring, so you can take a wander and then pay The Nest a visit to (potentially!) warm up with a a glass or two after your stroll. If you'd like to expand your visit and capture more of the area, head out on their gentle self-guided 35-minute walking route that will explore unique terroir, the rows of vineyards, wonderful views across the surrounding countryside and surrounding marshes.

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Scotney Castle

What could be better than a bluebell scout out in the fairy-tale surroundings of Scotney Castle? Aside from the beautiful ruins of its fourteenth century moated castle and Victorian house, an exploration of the surrounding Colliers Wood and Broadham Wood is perfect for spotting bluebells. What's better, you can turn your spring-time day into an overnight stay at the Scotney West Lodge . Sleeping four, this spacious yet cosy cottage has its very own tucked away garden, meaning you and the family can experience the estate like never before. 

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Bedgebury Pinetum

12,000 trees and shrubs are scattered across the landscape at Bedgebury Pinetum and when spring arrives, azaleas, rhododendrons and bluebells are all part of the stunning scenery. Pack a picnic, put your walking shoes on and enjoy this tranquil corner of the county.

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Penshurst Place

Ah, one of our absolute favourites any time of year, Penshurst Place is glorious during bluebell season. Stroll the acres of parkland surrounding the estate, before venturing into those beautifully manicured formal gardens. Pssst...be sure to come back in May for that Insta-fabulous peony border too! 

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Hole Park Gardens

Looking for a lot of colour? Take a walk in the magical parkland of Hole Park Gardens! Along with many bluebells, you'll find daffodils, magnolia, wisteria, camellias and much more in this garden.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chartwell NT (@chartwellnt)

Visit the family home and garden of Winston Churchill and you'll be able to see the beautiful seas of bluebells until your hearts content! Enjoy a bite to eat at the Landemare Cafe, take the kids to the play areas, and soak up the beautiful outdoors! 

Eliot Woods

We know that spring is on its way when the bluebells start to appear in the grounds below the University of Kent. At this time of year, we can't resist an afternoon stroll around Eliot Woods, full to the brim with beautiful bluebells. With easy access via public transport, and great cafes and restaurants on site, this is one of the top spots for all Canterbury locals! 

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Ashenbank Wood

Set in the Kent Downs National Landscape, Ashenbank Wood is the perfect setting for an afternoon stroll spent taking in the wonderful bluebells that mark the start of spring. With other ancient features and wonderful wildlife, you'll want to spend the whole day soaking in the beauty of these woods. 

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Trosley Country Park

A relatively unheard of gem in the west of the county, Trosley Country Park is around 13 miles from Maidstone and offers carpets of bluebells this spring season. Once you've explored the 170+ acres of land and its spectacular views over the North Downs, finish your wander off at the cafe onsite that serves delicious homemade food! 

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Ightham Mote

A sight not to be missed are the bluebells in Scathes Wood on the Ightham Mote estate. There is a lot to see during a walk here, such as many different types of trees, flowers and animals. So keep your eyes open!

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

This narrow gauge railway has the perfect setting being in acres of parkland, with trains running every Wednesday from 11am-2pm, and steam trains running on event days too, and the journey weaving through bluebell-filled woods. At the beginning of May, join a special event day to celebrate the bluebells and the journeys you take through them on the diesel and steam engines. Onsite too, there is a teaoom for some light refreshment and if the spring weather gets a bit changeable, pay a visit to the museum too! 

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Oare Gunpowder Works

It is said Guy Fawkes purchased gunpowder from here, but it’s safe to say a more peaceful visit is to be had these days! Among the rich patchwork of habitats of wetland, woodland and open glades, bluebells are emerging across the landscape. Of course, bluebell spot while here, but be sure to keep an eye out for the birds, bats and amphibians that also call this park home.

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Hucking Estate

This 537 acre site is worth a visit if you'd like to see carpets of bluebells and other wildflowers. With 180,000 leaves and 21 different species of butterflies Hucking Estate is a great place to enjoy a walk.

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Ranscombe Farm

Discover a carpet of bluebells on the North Downs with a visit to Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Cuxton, near Rochester. The nature reserve is a haven for rare wild plants, especially arable wildflowers and orchids, so be sure to have those cameras at the ready. Bonus tip - return in May for sightings of wild poppies which form rich red carpets along the edges of the farm’s wheat fields too!