Forest bathing at Blean Woods

Blean Woods National Nature Reserve is part of the Blean, a group of linked woodlands just north-west of Canterbury. The RSPB manages it with partner organisations as a mix of traditional coppice, high forest, open glades and patches of heath, with areas of mature oak and beech. Coppicing keeps opening up light, which is why the wide rides and glades hold the rare heath fritillary butterfly. In spring the reserve has around 35 pairs of nightingales, and you may hear woodpeckers at any time of year.

The car park is at Rough Common, up a wooded track off Rough Common Road. Five waymarked trails start from here, from the short Brown trail of under a mile to the Black trail of eight miles through mature oaks, so you can choose how far in you go. Paths are natural and unsurfaced, so expect mud after rain and in winter. There are no toilets on site. Dogs are allowed on the public footpaths under close control, and on lead on the White dog walk.