Hothfield Common

Hothfield Common is a 56.5-hectare (140-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-east of Ashford in Kent.[1][2] It is also a Local Nature Reserve,[3][4] and is part of the 86-hectare (210-acre) Hothfield Heathlands nature reserve owned by Ashford Borough Council and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust.[5]

Hothfield Common
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of SearchKent
Grid referenceTQ 968 458[1]
InterestBiological
Area56.5 hectares (140 acres)[1]
Notification1985[1]
Location mapMagic Map

Environment

Fifty-eight hectares of heathland and lowland valley bogs with secondary woodland around the perimeter, Hothfield contains Kent's last four valley bogs and one of its few remaining fragments of open heath with patches of acid grassland.

Until the early 20th century, livestock grazing maintained the open character of Hothfield Common. Once this ceased, bracken and birch began to overrun the reserve, leading to the loss of the heathland and bog habitat, and resulting in the loss of many rare and highly specialised plants and animals.

Habitat management work initiated by Kent Wildlife Trust with the support of Ashford Borough Council, Hothfield Parish Council and Natural England is now helping to restore and maintain a mosaic of open heath, grassland and bog. Once the initial invading scrub has been cut back, grazing with livestock is the key to maintaining suitable habitat. Grazing may occur at any time of the year so dogs should be kept under close control.

Many plants such as heather, cross-leaved heath, dwarf and common gorse, heath spotted-orchid, bog asphodel, and round-leaved sundew are now thriving, along with keeled skimmer dragonfly and tree pipit as a result of heath and bog habitat restoration.

Access

The site is open to the public at all times.

References
  1. "Designated Sites View: Hothfield Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  2. "Map of Hothfield Common". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. "Hothfield Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  4. "Map of Hothfield Common". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  5. "Hothfield Heathlands". Kent Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 2018-01-03. Retrieved 12 February 2018.

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