©Neil Aldridge

The Warren

This mixed woodland reserve close to the Cray Valley on London’s Kent border was formerly part of the estate of a Georgian manor house.

Location

Sheepcote Lane

Kevington

BR5 4ET

Know before you go

Size

5 hectares

Access

The entrance is opposite Sheepcote Farm in Sheepcote Lane, near St Mary’s Cray, and is a 20-minute walk from the town’s railway station. There are also routes into the reserve via Sweeps Lane, and Star Lane (over the railway by footbridge).

Undulating terrain with rough footpaths that are a mix of pebbles and mud, sometimes soft.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to August

About the reserve

The area of mixed woodland and grassland clearings known as The Warren is abundant in dragonflies thanks to the large pond and wetland area nestled in its centre.

The reserve is composed predominantly of oak and silver birch woodland on sandy soils with rhododendron, and with a ground flora of bracken and wildflowers. It was once part of Kevington Manor Estate.

Near the railway cutting to the north of the site, some small areas of acid grassland are home to rare London plants.