Kent Downs
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Blue Bell Hill
Picnic Site

 

Kits Coty Bee Orchid
   

Logo | Kent Downs - Area of outstanding natural beauty

 


Blue Bell Hill Picnic Site is set on the chalk downland with panoramic views over the Medway Valley. The site is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Here you will find areas of woodland, scrub and chalk grassland and a number of rare plant species, including the bulbous buttercup, salad burnet, hairy violet, bee orchid, wood sage and wild strawberry. These plants support a variety of specialist insects such as the dingy skipper, grizzled skipper, chalk hill blue and brown argus butterflies. Blue Bell Hill is an ideal spot for walkers and picnickers. The North Downs Way passes along the northern edge of the site, giving further opportunities to explore the Downs.

Kits Coty
Kits Coty is the remains of a Neolithic long barrow that can be found on the lower slopes of Blue Bell Hill. The three upright sarsen stones that support the 13 foot capstone are at least seven feet high and form what is believed to be the entrance to a tomb or burial chamber. It was once enclosed by a great mound of earth that stretched for over 200 feet. It is believed to be the burial site of Catigern who fought against Hengist and Horsa in the middle of the 5 th century at nearby Aylesford. Other megalithic sites nearby are Little Kits Coty (also known as the Countless Stones), White Horse Stone and the Coffin Stone.

If you want to walk to Kits Coty you need to leave the picnic site and walk towards the main road and you can then follow the North Downs Way route down the hill alongside the A229, until you reach the entrance to the field where Kits Coty stands.

If you prefer a much shorter walk you can park in the layby off the A229, just below the Lower Bell Pub. Follow the North Downs Way to reach Kits Coty.

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Opening Times

Open all year 9.00am to dusk

Location
From A229 (Rochester/Maidstone Road) at top of Blue Bell Hill, just south of M2, Junction 3 interchange, take signposted slip road.

Click here for a location map

Useful Links
www.kent.gov,uk/explorekent
www.kentdowns.org.uk

Contact Numbers
01474 823800
08458 247600

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