Ranscombe Farm facts for kids

Ranscombe Farm from the North Downs Way

The farm buildings seen over a field of Oil Seed Rape

In April the woods are carpeted with bluebells.

Ranscombe Farm is a very special place located in Cuxton, in North Kent, England. It's a unique spot because it's three things in one: a working farm, a fun country park where people can visit, and a Plantlife Nature Reserve. This means it's a place where farmers grow crops, but also where rare plants and animals are protected.

A big part of Ranscombe Farm is included in the Cobham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is a special title given to places that are really important for their wildlife, plants, or geology. The whole farm is also within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it's a landscape that's protected because of its amazing natural beauty.

Ranscombe Farm works closely with five other natural areas nearby. These include Shorne Wood Country Park, Jeskyns, Cobham Park, Ashenbank Wood, and the Cobham Leisure Plots. By working together, they help protect even more of the local environment.

This farm has been a treasure chest for plant lovers for centuries! Some very rare flowers have been found here. For example, the Hairy Mallow was collected here way back in 1699, and the Meadow Clary in 1792. Other rare plants you might find include Ground Pine and Broad-leaved Cudweed. The farm is also home to at least six different types of beautiful orchids, like the Fly Orchid, Lady Orchid (sometimes called 'Fair Maidens of Kent'), and Man Orchid.

The chalky grasslands at Ranscombe Farm are full of interesting plants. You can find Wild Liquorice and Horseshoe Vetch growing here. The fields where crops are grown also have special wild flowers, such as Corncockle, Blue Pimpernel, Night-flowering Catchfly, and Dense-flowered Fumitory.

What to See and When to Visit

Ranscombe Farm changes with the seasons, offering different sights throughout the year. Here's a guide to what you might spot:

Spring Flowers (April - May)

• April: Look for carpets of beautiful Bluebells in the woods. You might also see the Early purple orchid.
• May: This is a great time to spot some of the farm's special orchids, including the Lady Orchid, Fly Orchid, and Man Orchid.

Summer Blooms (June - July)

• June: The rare Meadow Clary and Hairy Mallow are usually in bloom. You can also find Ground Pine and common milkwort.
• July: The fields burst with colour from Corncockle and Clustered Bellflower. Four different kinds of poppies also appear: Common, Rough, Prickly, and Long-headed poppies.

How to Get to Ranscombe Farm

Ranscombe Farm is easy to reach, whether you're coming by train, bus, or car.

By Train

• The nearest train station is Cuxton.

By Bus

• Nu-Venture bus 151 goes directly to Cuxton.
• Arriva bus 140 goes to Strood - Marlowe Park (Wells Rd). From there, you can walk through Elgin Gardens and use the underpass behind it.
• Arriva bus 141 goes to Strood - Earl Estate. Get off at Albatross Avenue and use the underpass located at the car park.

By Car

• If you're driving, take the M2 motorway to Junction 2. The car park entrance is on the A228, about 200 metres on the right after the exit roundabout.

The famous North Downs Way, which is a long walking path, actually goes right through Ranscombe Farm. So, if you're hiking, you might just walk through this amazing nature reserve!

51°22′52″N 0°28′01″E / 51.381°N 0.467°E / 51.381; 0.467