Cafés
Willesborough Cafe
Family cafe on Church Road, Willesborough, serving breakfasts, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers and pie and mash, open daily until 4pm.
Verified Oct 2026
Chalk downland reserve above Wye with orchids, a circular nature trail, wide views over Romney Marsh and the Weald, and two car parks.
About Wye National Nature Reserve
Around 134 hectares of chalk grassland and woodland on steep coombes, about 2 km south east of Wye and 6 km north east of Ashford, within the Kent Downs. Natural England lists around 21 orchid species and views over Romney Marsh, the Weald and the Channel coast. Kent Downs describes a circular nature trail and several public footpaths. There are two car parks, with voluntary charges payable by RingGo. The slopes are steep and livestock graze the site.
Where it is
What's on here
Eat and drink in Ashford
Restaurants
Trattoria Romana
Traditional Italian restaurant on Bank Street, Ashford, open since 1981, with a la carte, set lunch and dinner menus and collection orders.
Verified Oct 2026
Farm Shops & Producers
Pluckley Farm Shop
Farm shop on Smarden Road, Pluckley, selling pork and local meat, bread, dairy, produce and hampers.
Verified Oct 2026
Farm Shops & Producers
Brabourne Vineyard
Family-run vineyard at East Brabourne with booked tours and tastings, weekend table bookings, cellar door and online shop.
Verified Oct 2026
Guides that mention Wye National Nature Reserve
GuideFamily Days Out, Parks & Walks
Ashford and Tenterden: heathland, woods, nature reserves and the steam railway
Hothfield Heathlands, Conningbrook Lakes, King's Wood, Wye and Ham Street Woods reserves, plus Tenterden's steam railway, St Mildred's and Kiln Field.
More things to do in Ashford
Parks & Walks
Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve
97 hectare ancient woodland reserve at Hamstreet with three waymarked trails of 2.5 to 5 km, a short walk from Ham Street station.
Parks & Walks
Hothfield Heathlands
86 hectare heath and bog reserve near Ashford with four waymarked walks, boardwalks and a 500m all-weather trail. No toilets on site.
Dog Friendly
Parks & Walks
King’s Wood
588 hectare Kent Downs woodland near Challock with walking routes, a sculpture trail, a mountain bike route and pay-by-app parking.