Monthly Archives: April 2013

Created from an old quarry this park has varied landscapes –grassy picnic areas, flat woodland and hilly woodland. Near Emmett’s Garden and Chartwell. Only place we have seen a sign warning you of dog knapping.

We visited this park a few years ago with Couscous when she was still a youngster. This time the GPS took us to a dead end (private land next to the car park but with no way to get to it). This week, for my volunteer work at Shorne Woods, I was given a year’s parking pass for Kent County parks – and we end up parking on the side of the road. The top end of Castle Hill road is now blocked off so I assume you get to the car park via the A249 only. There is a wonderful view over the Downs, evidence of an Iron Age settlement and the remains of the medieval castle of Thurnham.

Haysden Country Park is near Tonbridge. Most of it surrounds a length of the river Medway and includes Barden and Haysden lakes. There is a separate path for walkers and cyclists in some parts. There are flat paths in some areas but other areas might get too muddy after rain if you don’t have Wellington boots.