Valley Among the Fruitlands

Valley Among the Fruitlands. The countryside around Chartham. Chartham Station is within easy walking and cycling distance of countryside of great variety and history., Chartham lies in a part of the Stour Valley overlooked by orchards and woodlands. Most orchards are modern plantations with dwarf trees, While attractive at blossom time, they are of Tess value to wildlife than the traditional orchards that fortunately have survived here and there. The large, long-lived trees of old orchards, though rarely economically productive, offer superb habitats and food supplies to wild birds and Insects., Another traditional land use that has declined in hop growing, although many oast houses remain as testament to this past. The area also possesses other historic buildings in a wide variety of architectural styles. Chartham is an attractive village but also very much living, working community. The Industrial buildings of the paper mill are just as important to this community as its ancient church., Large blocks of ancient woodland are a feature of the surrounding countryside, with Denge nod to the south and the Blean Woods complex to the north. In contrast are the open landscapes of Chartham Downy offering views into a nationally protected landscape: the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, that stretches across the county from Dover to the Surrey border., The river itself, and the string of takes along its course between here and Thanington, have a lot to offer those waning an easy stroll.