Cobham Woods

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Cobham Woods
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Mill Hill, Cuxton 3.jpg
Footpath junction in Mill Hill, in the south of the woods
Location Kent
Grid reference TQ 698 683 [1]
InterestBiological
Area242.7 hectares (600 acres) [1]
Notification 1984 [1]
Location map Magic Map

Cobham Woods is a 242.7 hectares (600 acres) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the western outskirts of Rochester in Kent. [1] [2] It is in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [3] and part of it is managed by the National Trust. [4]

The managed ancient woodland is largely sweet chestnut coppice with some coniferous plantations, while the parkland is mature woodland, with some clearings, of oak, sweet chestnut, beech, hornbeam, and other species. The soils range from acidic Thanet Sands to Upper Cretaceous Chalk. [5] Managed grazing by deer, created woodland pastures devoid of ground shrubs, this has reverted but is being re-established. The arable land, has been a noted spot for botanists since the 1690s, and references to it occur in books on Chalk Grassland. [6]

The woodland was part of the Cobham Hall estate, now ranger managed, and secured to prevent vehicular access. The Darnley Mausoleum, located in the wood, has been rescued and restored, and much of the woodland and the Mausoleum are now in the care of the National Trust. The woods are crossed by public footpaths.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Cobham Woods". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Map of Cobham Woods". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Cobham Wood". Kent Downs. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Cobham Mausoleum & Wood" (PDF). Gravesham Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Cobham Woods citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Wildflowers of Chalk and Limestone, J.E.Lousley, 1950, Collins New Naturalist, repub. ISBN   1-870630-54-8 p.58 see Hairy Mallow

Coordinates: 51°23′28″N0°26′26″E / 51.39101°N 0.44056°E / 51.39101; 0.44056

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