Ranscombe Farm, Medway

Ranscombe Farm, in Cuxton in North Kent, is a Plantlife Nature Reserve, country park and working farm. Part of the site is included in the Cobham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the whole farm is within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It has been a source for flower collectors for centuries. Nationally Rare species, Hairy Mallow and Meadow Clary, were both collected from Ranscombe Farm, in 1699 and 1792 respectively. Other rarities include Ground Pine and Broad-leaved Cudweed and at least six species of orchid including Fly, Lady ('Fair Maidens of Kent') and Man Orchid.http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-nature-reserves-ranscombe-farm.htm Plantlife Website May 2007] The Independent, 7 Sept 2006, The Wild bunch by Peter Marren, reprinted [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060907/ai_n16709239] ]

The chalk grassland hosts a rich suite of plants including Wild Liquorice and Horseshoe Vetch.

The arable flora includes Corncockle, Blue Pimpernel, Night-flowering Catchfly, Narrow-fruited Cornsalad [http://www.arableplants.fieldguide.co.uk/?PP=species_account&SPID=20&SHC=39&PSD=1] and Dense-flowered Fumitory.

What to see and when

*April: Bluebell, Early-purple Orchid
*May: Lady Orchid, Fly Orchid, Man Orchid
*June: Meadow Clary, Hairy Mallow, Ground Pine, Common Milkwort
*July: Corncockle, Clustered Bellflower, Four species of poppy ( Common, Rough, Prickly and Long-headed)

Location

TQ 718 675 Coord|51.381|0.467|display=inline,title|format=dms :Station Cuxton:By Bus. Arriva 151 to Cuxton. :By Bus. Arriva, 8, 140, 142 Medway Towns Service to Wells Rd then Elgin Gardens Underpass.:By Road. M2 to Junction 2, Carpark entrance on A228 200m on the right after exit roundabout.

Ranscombe Farm straddles the North Downs Way, long-distance footpath.

External links

* [http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-nature-reserves-ranscombe-farm.htm Plantlife Nature Reserves, Ranscombe Farm.]
* [http://www.arableplants.fieldguide.co.uk/]

References