Clowes Wood

Visitor information

Visit this delightful mixed woodland, near Whitstable

With a variety of mature birch and coniferous trees, Clowes Wood is an ideal location for walkers, especially those with dogs! 

Covering a total area of over 236 hectares, the woodland provides endless opportunity for adventure! Follow the wide network of paths available on foot, bike or horseback. 

 

At a glance

  • Walking trails 
  • Cycling 
  • Horse riding 
  • Dogs welcome 

Things to do

Grab your helmet and head out for a beautiful cycle ride around Clowes Wood. 

Clowes Wood offers a network of forest paths and trails for you to ride on. 

Clowes Wood offers a network of riding which include a diverse and beautiful range of woodland habitats. Off-bridleway riding is restricted to specific routes and only permitted if you are a TROT member.

There is no public bridleway. There are no waymarkers for the routes.

Further details can be found by calling TROT on 01622 735599 or visiting the TROT website. When riding you must be display your TROT permit. A map will be given to you after purchasing a membership.

For more information on our facilities, opening times and contact details, please see our visitor information.

Walking in the woodland is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Clowes Wood has a wide network of open paths and trails that run through the woodland.  

Nearby forests

Thin trail running through conifer woodland

With around five miles of hard surface road and great networks of unsurfaced tracks, Hemsted Forest makes for a great day out, whatever the season!

The forest houses a mixture of conifer and broadleaf woodland and is rich in different bird species.

 

Two ladies enjoying a dog walk at Jeskyns Community Woodland

Jeskyns is home to 360 acres of newly planted woodlands, meadows and orchards. With a good network of surfaced walking trails, children's play areas, café and even a dog activity trail, there is something for everyone to explore at any time of the year.

You can visit a Fairy and Elf Village, introduce the family to the Gruffalo and his friends, say hello to our cows, take the dog for a paddle or just sit and watch the world go by under wide skies full of singing skylarks.

Long grass on the edge of a woodland with bright blue skies

Mardyke Woods was already well established when the Romans first arrived here in 54BC and is therefore well deserved of its official status as an Ancient Semi Natural Woodland!

There's a variety of woodland paths for you to explore, two adjacent play areas for your active little monkeys and is convenient for the nearby Mardyke Way riverside walk, where you can connect up with the Davy Down Urban Riverside Park.

Community on bridge over small stream in woodland

As one of Thames Chase's largest woodlands, Cely Woods has an excellent network of paths and is a rich habitat with numerous insects and flowers. 

The wildlife across the wetlands is a year-round treat. Try observing it from the wooden bridge that straddles the stream and see what you can spot! 

You can also continue through to Belhus Woods Country Park via a safe road crossing on Romford Road, where you can grab some refreshments from the Visitor Centre. 

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