DERING WOOD
Dering Wood
Nr, Pluckley, Kent
Introduction
Dering Wood is an ancient woodland with history stretching back to medieval times and is also known as Screaming Wood and reputed to be the most haunted woods in Britian.
Located near Pluckley in Ashford, Kent this woodland covers around 300 acres of low lying land and can therefore become extremely muddy during wet weather.
Two way marked trails are available (The White trail 1.6km / 25 mins and the Red trail 2.9km / 45 mins) along with a network of other pathways to explore.
A small free car park for around 6 or 7 cars is available off Smarden Bell Road with five other entrances located around the wood.
OWTD Verdict: Although supposedly a haunted woodland we found it very peaceful and loved the well sign posted trail. The weather had been fairly dry leading up to our visit so the paths were pretty dry but you can see it would be very muddy during wet weather. A woodland well worth a visit for a dog walk but best to go in dry weather.
Parking Location
Address: Smarden Bell Rd, Nr, Pluckley, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0SY
what3words: ///emails.remains.diverged
General Information
- Free Parking
Distance: Two circular way marked trails are available. The White trail 1.6km / 25 mins and the Red trail 2.9km / 45 mins along with a network of other pathways to explore.
Time: White trail approx. 30 mins. Yellow trail approx 1 hour.
Terrain: The wood is pretty much flat all the way round with no steep hills. All pathways are unmade grass and earth which due to the low lying ground do become very muddy during wet weather and wellies would be advised.
Accessibility: Unfortunately this walk would not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobile scooters due to the unsurfaced and muddy pathways.
Stiles: None.
Dogs on leads?: Dogs allowed off lead but should be kept onlead around the car park.
Dog Bins: Yes in the carpark.
Parking: Free parking for around 6 or 7 cars in the Woodland Trust car park.
The Route
Click the walk title in the top right of the above window or clicking here will open the route on the AllTrails website or the mobile app. You can then create a free account which will then allow you to follow the route as you walk on your mobile. If you would rather not sign up to All trails free account and use another mapping app (such as OS Maps, Outdooractive or Komoot etc) on your phone then you can download the GPX file below and import this into your desired app inorder to follow the trail.
The Walk Details ...
- Leave the carpark and pass through the kissing gates into Dering Wood. There is an information board at this point with a map of the wood.
- Walk straight ahead up the pathway but be aware that even though it was dry there was still a section of very muddy and boggy pathway along this section.
- Follow this pathway all the way to the end and turn right at the sign post.
- This pathway then runs through more dense woodland and over a couple of small bridges.
- When you get to the next sign post turn right and follow the pathway down.
- Eventually you will reach pathway cross roads and a metal five bar gate with the next sign post. Turn right here and follow the next pathway.
- This is another striaght pathway and eventually leads you back out on the first path. Turn left here and head back towards the car park.
The Gallery ...
