Bedgebury Pinetum

I checked this out between Christmas and New Year. It's run by the Forestry Commission. Not far from Tunbridge Wells.

Costs �£6.00 to park, and they don't take cards (and I found that there isn't a cash machine for miles around, so be prepared). Cafe isn't too pricey, but again, no cards.

But the plants are amazing! They have a large population of giant and coast redwoods. They're not as tall as the dozen or so tucked away in the middle of Center Parcs Longleat Forest, but there's a lovely boardwalk right through them. Winter is the best time to do the walk, as the pines are really on show. The Old Man of Kent, the tallest tree in the county, is on show - a 50m tall Abies grandis, and I was really impressed with the collection of dogwoods.

I put some snaps up here, but they didn't come out too brilliantly (having driven around looking for a cash machine the light was starting to fade). If you're in the Sussex-Kent area, it's a nice afternoon out, and if you're more active the non-Pinetum bit of the national forest is geared up to walking and cycling. But it's probably not worth more than 45-60 minutes' drive unless you're absolutely mad for conifers.

 

Hi Juliasaurus,
Bedgebury was one of my favourite dog walking places for years.
As you say its got a good selection of conifers, didn't know they had built a boardwalk through some of the trees.
The last time I went near the place was summer 06, the carpark had been moved a few miles down the road and as you say they now charge �£6, it was free up until then.
You only paid to get into the pinetum and then only a couple of quid, before.
I get the impression that its now dog unfriendly, as I was told its now dogs on a lead in the pinetum.
As you say an interesting place, but I dont think I'll go back there at �£6 to walk the dog, nice place been ruined by comercialisation.