Imagine escaping the hectic pace of city life right on London’s doorstep. That’s Joydens Wood. This tranquil, ancient woodland straddles the border between the London Borough of Bexley and the Borough of Dartford in Kent.
Joydens Wood’s story stretches back centuries. The first records of a wood on this site go back to the year 1600. But its history goes back even further. Traces of settlements in Joydens Wood are over 2,000 years old.
Around AD 457, Saxon settlers built Faesten Dic. This strong dike served as a boundary feature. It runs for over a kilometer through the forest.
Archaeological investigations in the 1950s revealed a medieval hall. It was flanked by two smaller buildings. Pottery analysis dates its occupation from 1280 to 1320. The hall was likely constructed of timber with a tiled roof. It may have been the Manor of Ocholt, owned by Lesnes Abbey.
But why was the hall abandoned? Perhaps a failure in the water supply was to blame. Maybe the sandy soil became impoverished. The Black Death could also be the reason.
During the Second World War, two RAF Hawker Hurricane fighters crashed in Joydens Wood. Some hollows are visible in the wood are bomb craters. A wooden sculpture of a crashed Hurricane lies just west of Faesten Dic. Local sculptor Peter Leadbeater carved it.
Joydens Wood is home to diverse wildlife. There are nine ponds. Each is a habitat for three British newt species. These species are the great crested newt, the smooth newt and the palmate newt. Buzzards, sparrowhawks, and kestrels have also been spotted.
In spring, the woodland floor transforms. Bluebells, yellow celandines, and lily of the valley emerge. Autumn brings fungi like the amethyst deceiver and lilac bonnet. Conifer trees grow in abundance during the winter months.
The Forestry Commission took over Joydens Wood in 1956. They cleared much of the native woodland vegetation. The site was planted with Corsican pine, Scots pine, beech, and red oak. The Woodland Trust purchased Joydens Wood in 1987. They have been working to thin the conifers. This allows more light to penetrate to the woodland floor and create a more diverse habitat for wildlife.
Today, you can explore Joydens Wood. Discover the Faesten Dic Trail. Or enjoy the Woodland Walk. Keep an eye out for the bomb craters and the Hurricane sculpture. Enjoy the vibrant flora and abundant wildlife. This ancient woodland offers a tranquil escape. It is a place where history and nature intertwine.