Darenth Woods encompasses an expansive area of approximately 300 acres, featuring ancient coppiced woodland. This woodland holds national significance due to its diverse range of semi-natural ancient woodland types, each thriving on the various soils found within the region.
At the base of the slopes, chalk soils provide the ideal environment for sessile oak and hornbeam coppice woodland. This occurrence on chalk soil is exceptionally rare in Britain, with Darenth Woods standing as the largest example in North Kent.
On the clay and sandy soils overlaying the chalk plateau, a more acidic woodland takes root. This unique woodland hosts a wide array of chalk-loving shrubs, including dogwood, wayfaring tree, and midland hawthorn, which establish their roots in the chalk beneath the acidic surface soil.
The insect population in Darenth Woods has undergone thorough study, and the woodland is renowned for hosting a multitude of rare species. Many of these insects are associated with dead wood, including two nationally rare beetles found within dead or decaying oak timber.
Along the edges of glades, various bugs, beetles, and moths thrive in the more open conditions. Approximately one-quarter of the woodland is characterized by oak-dominant high forest, some sections of which appear to have been planted seventy to ninety years ago, based on the density and uniform age in certain areas.
A notable feature of the high forest is the presence of standing and fallen dead timber, serving as crucial habitat for hole-nesting birds and a diverse range of insects and fungi that rely on decaying wood.
The richness of plant and animal life that graces this woodland is, in part, a testament to the careful management practices maintained over many generations.