Walk south from the village green and within five minutes you're on the BMAT land. Three hundred acres of woodland, meadow, and open fields that belong to the village, managed by the Boughton Monchelsea Amenity Trust. For a settlement this close to a county town, it's an unusual thing to have. Most people here use it regularly and take it somewhat for granted, which is probably a sign that it works.

What is the BMAT?

The Boughton Monchelsea Amenity Trust was set up to acquire and manage land around the village for the benefit of residents. The trust holds approximately 300 acres stretching south and east of the village, covering a mix of ancient woodland, open grassland, hedgerows, and some former farmland that's been allowed to return to a more natural state.

The land is open to the public year-round. There's no charge, no membership, and no need to book anything. A network of waymarked paths runs through it, connecting to the broader public footpath network that extends towards Linton, Chart Sutton, and beyond.

What you'll find

The landscape changes as you move through it. The northern sections near the village are mostly mature woodland with well-maintained paths. The canopy is thick enough in summer to keep the paths cool even on hot days, and the bluebells in April and May are worth seeing.

Further south, the land opens up into meadow and grassland with views across the Low Weald. On a clear day you can see the South Downs in the distance. The ridge here drops away fairly steeply, and the change in elevation gives the walks more variety than you might expect from a relatively small area.

There are sections of old quarry workings too. Ragstone was extracted here for centuries, and the old quarry faces have become habitats in their own right, colonised by ferns, mosses, and wildflowers.

Walking routes

The main loop from the village green and back takes about 45 minutes at a steady pace. It's mostly flat, with one gentle climb near the quarry area. The paths are waymarked with coloured posts, though some have faded and could do with replacing.

For a longer walk, you can extend south towards Linton or east towards Chart Sutton by joining the public footpaths that connect with the BMAT land. Our dog walks guide covers the main routes in more detail, including notes on stiles, mud, and livestock.

The paths are unsurfaced in most places. Boots are a good idea from late autumn through to spring. In summer, trainers are fine for the main loop. Pushchairs can manage the northern woodland sections but will struggle on the steeper or muddier paths further south.

Wildlife

The mix of habitats supports a decent range of wildlife. Deer are seen regularly in the quieter sections, particularly early morning and late evening. Buzzards circle overhead most days. The woodland supports woodpeckers, treecreepers, nuthatches, and a healthy population of tawny owls.

In the meadow areas, you'll find common spotted orchids in early summer, along with various butterflies including marbled whites and common blues. The hedgerows are productive for sloes and blackberries in autumn, and locals do pick them freely.

Practical things

Dogs are welcome and can be off-lead through the woodland sections, though keep them close or on a lead where paths cross open grazing land. There are no bins on the BMAT land itself, so bag it and take it home.

There's no car park as such. Most people walk from the village. If you're driving, the village green has roadside parking and is the most obvious starting point. Don't block farm gates or field access points along the lanes.

The trust relies on volunteers for path maintenance, fence repairs, and general upkeep. If you'd like to get involved, the parish council can point you in the right direction, or keep an eye on the events calendar for organised working parties.