The Canterbury Canopy Trail
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Blean Woods National Nature Reserve - 8 Mile Woodland Walk
Join Nelly and Stuart for a scenic 8-mile journey through the enchanting Blean Woods National Nature Reserve, nestled near Canterbury. This walk takes you deep into a patchwork of ancient coppice woodlands, towering oak and beech trees, tranquil heathlands, and sunlit glades, offering a rich mix of habitats for both wildlife and nature lovers.
As you wander through the woods, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of birdsong, with species like the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the rarer Lesser Spotted Woodpecker found in the towering oak and beech areas. The trees themselves tell their own story, with some left to decay and create vital homes for birds, bats, and insects. In the more open areas, you may spot butterflies basking in the warmth of the sun or catch sight of a Heath Fritillary, a rare and beautiful butterfly that thrives in these conditions.
Throughout the walk, you’ll pass through areas where traditional coppicing takes place. This ancient practice, which involves cutting back trees to regrow, has created dense thickets ideal for nesting birds like the Nightingale. As the sunlight filters through the freshly cut areas, you’ll see an incredible variety of butterflies fluttering through the air, adding vibrant pops of color to the landscape.
This is the perfect opportunity to experience nature’s beauty, from towering trees to rare butterflies and delightful birdlife, in one of Kent’s most treasured nature reserves.
New Members
We’d love for this to be your first OutdoorLads event!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or check out the "My First Event" section under "About Us" for more information. We’re here to help!
Dogs
I’m always happy to welcome dogs on my walks! This particular walk is generally suitable for them, though it will be a longer route. A good portion of the path will be shaded. Please note that there may be livestock along the way, so dogs must be kept under control. If your dog is off-lead, they must be obedient and responsive.
The event is full?
Don’t worry-sign up to join the waiting list!
Spots often open up last minute as members cancel, so you might still get a chance to join us.
Kent Social
Why not join us at the Kent Social in the evening.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch for a woodland picnic.