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It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 75 NE 875
Type of record:Landscape
Name:Vinters Valley Nature Reserve

Summary

This is a new-style public amenity: an area for quiet recreation in a natural environment, a nature reserve and an educational resource.


Grid Reference:TQ 7761 5639
Map Sheet:TQ75NE
Parish:MAIDSTONE, MAIDSTONE, KENT

Monument Types

  • ICEHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1540 AD to 2050 AD)
  • NATURE RESERVE (Modern - 1952 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status:Historic Park or Garden 328: Vinters Valley Nature Reserve, Maidstone

Full description

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The reserve, off Bargrove Road, is in the care of the Vinters Valley Park Trust. This is a new-style public amenity: an area for quiet recreation in a natural environment, a nature reserve and an educational resource.

Narrow paths traverse the steep wooded slopes; the grassland areas have a profusion of grasses and wildflowers, attracting butterflies and moths. The wetlands range from shaded carr to the open waters of the lake and the scrub provides cover for many birds and animals.

A listed ha-ha on the eastern boundary, an iceĀ¬house and several exotic trees date from the earlier park.

Vinters Valley Nature Reserve was once part of Vinters Park, an 18th-century park owned by the Whatman family, that was purchased by Kent County Council in 1952. (1)


<1> Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS), 2005, Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org) (Website). SKE16061.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Website: Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS). 2005. Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org).