There are impressive hidden sculptures to find throughout
The presents are all unwrapped, the roast has been devoured and a frankly alarming amount of cheese has been consumed; Christmas has been completed for another year.
After the holidays, there are few better ways to shake off the chocolate-induced sluggishness than with a refreshing walk, of which Kent boasts countless.
With our rolling countryside, dense woodlands and scenic seaside, there are plenty of choices to visit where you can burn off some of those festive calories.
If you want to inject a certain amount of magic into your post-Christmas stroll, then take a trip to the enchanting King’s Woods near Ashford.
Nestled amid the picturesque Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this 1500-acre forest has plenty of quirky aspects that make it an absolute must-visit for any and all outdoorsy folks.
Plus there are some impressive features hidden away amid the trees and grass to keep your eyes peeled for.
Historically a royal hunting forest, a large herd of fallow deer still run free here, alongside plenty of other wildlife to keep an eye out for, including dormice, bats, reptiles and amphibians.
A mix of conifer and broadleaf form the woodland, which offers sign posted walking trails to guide you through this magical expanse of nature.
Perhaps the wood’s most standout features are the fascinating sculptures that you can find tucked away between the towering trees. Since 1994, Stour Valley Creative Partnership has commissioned artists to craft artworks and sculptures for the woodland that can be spotted along the trails.
What makes these pieces even more special is that they have been crafted with natural materials found in the immediate area. This means that over time, the works have shifted and changed, being absorbed into the forest’s natural cycle of decay and regeneration.
As such, visiting just months apart could result in noticeably different experiences and sights as the sculptures merge with the environment. Guests may even spot the ‘ghosts’ of past sculptures that have now been reclaimed by the elements, giving you some thought-provoking points of interest to take in.
The marked trail guides visitors around the wood’s sculptures, and takes approximately two and a half hours to complete. While of course the woodland is incredible to see and explore in these winter months, visiting in spring will give you a totally different experience.
At the turn of the warmer half of the year, the area is alive with the colour of wildflowers, most notably, blue bells. These gorgeous plants only bloom for around a month between late April and late May, so plan your visit accordingly.
Previous visitors have sung the praises of this Kent gem with the woodland holding a rating of 4.4 stars out of five from nearly 100 reviews on TripAdvisor. One recent explorer remarked: “Boots on adventures. Organised walk through this beautiful wood. Looking at the Blue bells. Free carpark – but can get busy. Well worth a visit.”
Another simply described it as “one of the most beautiful woods I have ever been to” and added “we will definitely be returning.” Parking at the woodland is free, plus there are picnic areas and benches dotted around to sit and tuck into some lunch during your visit.
This area is hugely popular with dog walkers looking to bring their four-legged friends out and about for some exercise. For those interested in seeing as much of the area as possible, there are multiple cycle routes on the hard forest roads, alongside mountain bike trails in the woods.
While King’s Wood does have one accessible route, unfortunately the area is generally considered not suitable for visitors with pushchairs or wheelchairs due to the nature of the terrain. King’s Woods can be easily accessed via the M20 at Ashford, leaving at Junction 9 and heading in the direction of Challock.
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to get out and about among nature this winter, this could just be the one for you.
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