Kent Wildlife Trust was founded in 1958 and is the leading conservation organisation charity covering the whole of Kent and is dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitats. One of the local areas being The Blean.
Lying between the cathedral city of Canterbury and the towns of Faversham, Whitstable and Herne Bay, The Blean is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in England – over 11 square miles.
The woods have been shaped by local people for over a thousand years. Today, our woodsmen and conservation teams continue to manage this unique landscape, rich in wildlife, that we enjoy today.
Why not take a visit to the New Wildart Trail in Thornden Woods?
The first pieces of artwork have been installed on the Wildart Trail, an art and sensory all-access trail in Thornden Wood, between Canterbury and Herne Bay. Two wooden posts carved with images of wildlife found in the woods, drawn by children from Herne Junior School, can now be found on the trail, scul and more images have been routed onto coppiced tree stumps.
The trail will use natural, local materials to create sustainable, non-invasive artwork which will blend into the surroundings. The use of sustainable materials is essential on a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and means that the artwork can evolve and change through the years; as pieces begin to decay, new artwork can be created and installed.
There is parking available on Thornden Wood Road, with space for blue badge holders and people with young children to park on the same side of the road as the all-access path.
For more information, please contact Kent Wildlife Trust’s Blean Project Office on 01227 719506. (Photo by Kathryn Barton)
