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Otford to Shoreham Downs

Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Kent
North Downs Way up to Otford Mount geograph.org.uk 1256057
North Downs Way up to Otford Mount geograph.org.uk 1256057

Otford to Shoreham Downs is a 145.1-hectare (359-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Kemsing and Eynesford in Kent. It is part of Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part it is Fackenden Down, a nature reserve managed by the Kent Wildlife TrustThese downs have woodland, scrub and species-rich chalk grassland, which has been traditionally managed by grazing. A decline in grazing has caused the chalk downland to become overgrown, but it is still very species diverse, with over a hundred plants recorded.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Otford to Shoreham Downs (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Otford to Shoreham Downs
Shoreham Road,

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Wikipedia: Otford to Shoreham DownsContinue reading on Wikipedia

Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 51.335 ° E 0.199 °
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Address

Dunstall Priory

Shoreham Road
TN14 5RL
England, United Kingdom
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North Downs Way up to Otford Mount geograph.org.uk 1256057
North Downs Way up to Otford Mount geograph.org.uk 1256057
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Nearby Places

Preston Hill Country Park
Preston Hill Country Park

Preston Hill Country Park is in Eynsford, in Kent, England. It is a woodland and former military firing range. Within the site of the park and woodland, stood Preston Hill farmhouse. This was then damaged in 1944 after a 1000 kg parachute bomb or mine was dropped, in the early hours of 22 January 1944. Three of the farmhouse occupants were killed and 8 others were injured, later the ruined farmhouse was demolished. The site was then used as a Ministry of Defence firing range (up to the 1940s); the remnants of the range can still be seen.Since 1951 it has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest (part of 363.7 acres (1,472,000 m2) Otford To Shoreham Downs site).Preston Hill has extensive views across the countryside from the Darenth Valley (following the River Darent) to Lullingstone Country Park. The site has 232 acres (940,000 m2) of chalk grassland and woodland with many wild flowers and rare butterflies at this site of outstanding natural beauty located within the Kent Downs.On the grasslands, a variety of butterflies including chalkhill blues and dark green fritillaries can be seen. Since the site is relatively quiet, common adders and grass snakes can also be found. The grassland is grazed occasionally by a herd of feral goats, which came from the Great Orme, near Colwyn Bay in North Wales.These are used to further encourage the growth of wildflowers.There are paths through the woodland (called 'Preston Plantation') at the top of the hill although they are steep in places and some have become overgrown.The park also is acreddited with a Green Flag Award by Natural England (linked with Lullingstone Country Park).

Shoreham Aircraft Museum
Shoreham Aircraft Museum

The Shoreham Aircraft Museum is located in the village of Shoreham near Sevenoaks in Kent, England, on the south-east edge of Greater London. It was founded by volunteers in 1978 and is dedicated to the airmen who fought in the skies over southern England during the Second World War. The museum houses aviation relics excavated by the Shoreham Aircraft Preservation Society over 30 years. These relics come from crashed RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft and are displayed alongside personal accounts of those involved. A particular focus is the Battle of Britain period. Many aircraft types are represented in the collection, including recovered engine examples from the following: Supermarine Spitfire Hawker Hurricane Bf 109 Dornier 17 Fw 190 Junkers 88The museum has collections of flying helmets, uniforms, insignia and Home Front memorabilia, along with photos and other items which have been donated by ex-pilots and private individuals. The museum also holds a collection of original paintings and prints by the aviation artist Geoff Nutkins. Other examples of his work can be seen at the RAF College in Cranwell, the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon and The RAF Club in Piccadilly, London. There is also a tearoom and garden serving cream teas and homemade cakes. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter until the end of October each year. The tearoom and garden only is also open on Saturdays and is free to enter. All current and ex-military service personnel can enter the museum free of charge.