Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Access to the carpark << update March 2021 - this is no longer free >> is from the A25 about halfway between the Riverhead roundabouts and the Bat and Ball traffic lights. The address is:-
Bradbourne Vale Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 3DH
OS Map Reference: TQ 521 563
There are two large lakes and several smaller patches of water in the Wildlife Reserve. We started our filmed walk on the entry road, passing stables used by Bradbourne RDA, through the carpark, then onto a track that parallels the main A25. We headed north around the smaller of the two lakes, eventually joining a wider path that now circles the larger lake. This path was completed in early 2020 and signposts within the reserve do not yet reflect the fact that it is a complete circuit. The total distance is about 3.5 miles of flat terrain although the first part (2) would be unsuitable for wheelchairs in wet weather..
1). Starting from the carpark with the visitor centre on your left take the first path left after a small bungalow. This will take you along a track used by horse owners to access a field on the left. Shortly after crossing a stream (with a disused ford besides it on the left) there is an entrance into the reserve via a gate on the right. Take this path (2).
Note that NO DOGS (except guide dogs) are allowed in the reserve, so if you are dog walking you can continue on the track towards a farm gate which is often shut. Go around this to the right. If you then turn left you will join the main road. If you cross to open grassland to the right of the scout huts you can end up at a tunnel under the railway that leads to Dunton Green. The footpath to the immediate right (through a kissing gate) passes between a new housing development and a lake and ends up on Rye Lane. Turning left at the lane passes Dunton Green railway station at on to the village. Turning right eventually takes you under the motorway and onward to Otford.
2). Follow the path around the smaller of the two main lakes which was very muddy when we shot the video. Eventually this comes to a junction (with a not very helpful signpost). You can take a short walk back to the visitor centre from here which circles this first lake, or if you follow the 'nature trail' you will end up facing the main lake.
3). Turning right will take you back to the visitor centre. We turned left with the main lake on your right. You will pass fields that often have sheep grazing before eventually climbing slightly away from the lake. This is close to the bat and ball road junction where the A25 meets the A225, and it was this part of the reserve that was closed to the public until early 2020. Continuing round the path widens and you will pass an area where I speculated on the video that a new 'beach' could be formed. I sincerely hope that never happens but you will see what I mean. The path eventually returns you to the visitor centre.
There are several variations of this walk within the reserve and information signs that tell you something of its history. When the visitor centre is open there is a small but interesting exhibition upstairs, and refreshments available downstairs. Toilets are outside. None of this was open when we filmed because of lockdown restrictions.