The orchard was first planted in 1947 and was designated as a ‘Site of Nature Conservation by Kent Wildlife Trust because of the number of lichens and mosses there. In 2002 the orchard became a Local Nature Reserve.
In 1995 the parishioners of Harbledown and Rough Common and Chartham became one of the first communities to own a traditional orchard in Kent. The area is managed by a committee of councillors from both parishes with technical advice from the Kentish Stour Countryside Project.
