More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
You can explore many of Kent’s country parks for free – all you need to do is find the pennies for the parking.
Run and managed by Kent County Council, each of the parks has plenty to see and discover...
Woods, meadows, lakes and play areas – Brockhill is the perfect spot for a day out. Once part of the estate of a Norman manor, the park is humming with wildlife and has three areas to explore: the deer paddock, which is a grassy area with a range of trees, the lake, a shady oasis for wildlife with overhanging trees, and the valley which is the largest part and has a stream running through it. The park is open from 9am daily until dusk.
It’s got some history: the area took its name from a hand drawn ferry that used to cross the River Stour and fishing rights were granted during the reign of Henry II. The site is close to a former dismantled railway station and is close to the level crossing. The park opens at 9am and closes at dusk.
Some of the trees at the park are thought to date back 800 years, with veterans including beech, oak, ash and sweet chestnut. It has areas of chalk grassland and there are wild flower displays in the spring and summer. There’s a 6.5 mile circular walk which will take you through the village of Shoreham and nearby is the Lullingstone Roman Villa, an English Heritage site featuring mosaics and rare Roman wall paintings and Lullingstone Castle, where there is the famous World Garden.
Once part of the 18th century estate created by Thomas Douce, nature has reclaimed much of the estate, and there are a range of habitats and landscapes to explore in the 52 acres. Stroll by the lake, or take the children to the play area at Douce’s Meadow, where there are picnic tables and space for ball games. The Abbey Field and Chestnut Paddocks are grazed fields with wildflowers and the Ice House field, on the far side of the lake, takes its name from the building where ice from the frozen lake used to be kept for use in the manor house’s kitchen. The park is open from 9am to dusk.
With stunning views of Sandwich and Deal to its west and Ramgsate to the east, it’s the best spot for a bracing walk or ride. There is a nature reserve which has beautiful wild flowers in the spring and summer, including orchids and broomrapes. You can use the hide, which is wheelchair accessible. You may even see birds of prey. There is a playground, picnic area and refreshments.
Amongst the popular park’s 292 acres of greenery you’ll find an eco-friendly visitor centre and café, a sensory garden, orienteering, fishing lakes, a trim trail and picnic and play areas. There are colour-coded waymarked trails ranging from a one-mile easy route to a 6.2-mile Darnley Trail which takes you to Jeskyns and Cobham Wood sites.
With 32 acres of grazed meadow, river walks and play areas, Teston nestles gently alongside the River Medway. Bridge Meadow, near the car park and playground, is perfect for picnics and ball games, and is home to a number of community events, including the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells RSPCA branch’s dog show held last year and a kite festival.
Tutsham Meadow and Coombe Hill are used to graze cattle, and you can see birds and mammals galore.
With views over the North Downs, Trosley has 170 acres of woodland and chalk downland.
It’s teeming with wildlife and the chalk grassland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are three marked trails: the Downland Trail, which is steep in parts, the Woodland Walk which is gentler and the Trosley Trail which is an easy access route, even suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. And if you’re feeling up for a challenge there’s also a trim trail.
Sitting on the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with panoramic views, the park is home to the medieval ruins of Thurnham Castle, which are easily explored. More than 20,000 trees have been planted here including oak, ash and silver birch and there’s a variety of flora and fauna. Worth a visit if just for the amazing views towards Maidstone and beyond.
