Tudeley Woods

Address: RSPB Tudeley Woods, Dislingbury Lane, Tonbridge TN11 0PT

Grid ref: TQ617433

What3Words: reach.harp.habit

This ancient, semi-natural mixed woodland is owned by the Hadlow Estate and managed in partnership with the RSPB. Areas of ancient woodland have been coppiced for hundreds of years, and ongoing coppice management and newly established forestry operations have created new wildlife habitats. Woodland flowers, butterflies and orchids are plentiful and there are more than 1,000 fungi species. Tree pipits, woodlarks and nightjars are also returning and hopes are high that Dartford warblers will colonise.

Plan your visit

Nature reserve: open at all times.
Car park: Open for group visits by booked appointment only. Please contact us to arrange – see contact details below.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

The nearest railway station is High Brooms on the outskirts of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

By road

The reserve is off the A21 between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. If travelling north take the slip road from the A21 signposted Capel and Kent College. Go through the underpass, turn right and take the first turn left signposted Capel. If travelling south after leaving the slip road signposted Capel and Kent College take the first turn left signposted Capel. You are then on Half Moon Lane (also known as Dislingbury Road). The reserve car park is on the left-hand side after about 500 metres (a third of a mile). Car park only open for groups by prior arrangement. At other times limited parking available along road.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

View on What3Words

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Downloads

RSPB Tudeley Wood Trail Guide

Contact Tudeley Woods

RSPB Tudeley Woods, Dislingbury Lane, Tonbridge TN11 0PT
tudeley.woods@rspb.org.uk
01892 752430

What will you see?

Our star species

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Britain's rarest breeding woodpecker species is easiest to see and hear at Tudeley Woods in early spring.

Nightjar

Linger until dusk to encounter this amazing bird between May and July.

Marsh tit

This small brown bird flits from twig to twig, searching for insects to feast on.

The woodland will be carpeted in bluebells, primroses and wood violets in the spring. At this time of year, listen out for returning warblers such as chiffchaffs, willow warblers and blackcaps. Early butterflies on the wing should include brimstones and orange tips.

Warm summer nights are the perfect time to look for nightjars on the heath. By August the heather will be in full bloom. The birds will be difficult to see at this time of year, but great, blue and coal tits will be very noisy with their attendant newly-fledged young.

Autumn is the peak time to search for mushrooms and toadstools. Tudeley Woods now has a huge list of over one thousand different species. Berries will be forming on the woodland shrubs. Look for blackberry, hawthorn and guelder rose.

Winter is the time to see hunting sparrowhawks darting through the reserve, and kestrels hovering above the open fields in search of prey. Crossbills can normally be found around the conifers along the heathland trail. At the turn of the year, mistle thrushes can be heard singing on milder days.

About Tudeley Woods

Habitat

Get away from it all with a walk in the woods and through the newly restored heathland and meadow.

There are more than 1,000 species of fungi in the woods and beautiful orchids intermingled with an impressive carpet of bluebells and primroses in spring.

Conservation

In some areas there are grand old trees; in others the trees have been coppiced to open up the woodland floor and allow the woodland flowers and butterflies to flourish.

The age-old practice of charcoal burning is still active in the wood and the products are sold locally.

In the areas where the heathland has been restored nightjars are returning. Brakeybank meadow has also been restored to open up a pond and increase the area for a range of wildflowers.

Partners

The Tudeley Woods Reserve is owned by the Hadlow Estate, and managed in partnership with the RSPB thanks to a long-standing management agreement with the Estate.

Tudeley Woods is a fantastic home for nature, helped by the tremendous support of many individuals, groups and organisations. In addition to RSPB members and supporters, local community members and a tireless team of volunteers, we would particularly like to thank the following organisations for their financial support:

R G Hills Charitable Trust
Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation
AXA PPP
High Weald AONB Unit
Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust through the Landfill Community Fund
Forestry Commission via English Woodland Grant Scheme (EU and Defra funding)

Site information

Tudeley Woods is a restored ancient wood and heathland. The areas of woodland and heathland have been connected through extensive coppicing to open up the woodland floor.

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