This country park is not as large as Shorne but there is still a café – which serves a good panini. There is a field for picnics and then walks along the lake and through a couple of fields. The village of West Malling is next to the park and is worth a stroll in itself – nice shops, restaurants and pubs.
The shopping centre, which sits within a chalk pit, is surrounded by landscaping. If you park at ‘The Village’ you can cross underneath a bridge to walking path around a couple of lakes, including a pebbled beach area.
As there is a creek running along the edge of the Park this is great for hot days. The creek is in the shade, not deep and perfect for dogs. After a swim walk along the bank to Lullingstone Castle and back again (no dogs allowed there). We didn’t try the actual Park grounds the first day we went but they look varied and with some good walks.
First swim
This is a National Trust property . Couscous loved it. Beautiful garden and of course a tea room. There are formal gardens along with woodlands and views of the Weald. There is a lawn to picnic on with umbrellas and blankets provided. Go early and avoid the crowds.
Swalecliffe or Hampton is further along from Tankerton and Whitstable. It’s quiet so parking is easier on weekends. It is a really good stretch to walk along on using the path and going onto the pebble beach every now and then.
We parked half way along the picturesque Abbey Street then wandered around. We thought you might be able to see the ruins of the Abbey but could only find some foundations used as garden beds along the road. The church is lovely though. There are other historic buildings to look at and you can see some medieval barns from a short distance (on private land). At the end of Abbey road, where the pub is, we turned right and walked to the end of New Creek Rd and then returned and went left at the pub to find a small market by the waterside. It’s more like a creek than a river but there are a number of boats moored there. In better weather I would have wanted to continue into the town and wander about.
Medieval barns
Very shrubby heath. Some areas muddy after wet weather but not all. Good for ball throwing. The Heath contains three ponds, the Glory Bumps and many habitats including grassland, broadleaved semi-natural woodland, heather, dwarf gorse, orchids and a rare Kentish plant, petty whin.
This park won an award. It’s a great park to go to but gets muddy after rain, mostly around the entrance between the car park and the park itself. It’s good for picnics and ball throwing. Love it.
A great place at low tide. You can park anywhere along the shore at the Faversham side of Seasalter. CC can run around the sandy bits and in the large puddles then you can walk along the beach, or wall (she doesn’t do pebbles very well), let her run around again and she’d be dry by the time you walk back. Ok at high tide as you could still walk along some beach and the wall. Beware the grabby crabs that might bite a dog’s nose.
Tankerton and Whitstable are favourite places to go. Whitstable is a great place to bring visitors but a little hard with a dog if you want to eat inside. There is a good fish and chips shop near the beach though. Some pubs/cafes allow dogs only Couscous isn’t best behaved when tied to a table. Tankerton beach is great, specifically at low tide when you can walk out a little way. It’s difficult to get a park by the beach but there are other car parks not too far back towards Whitstable. There is a cafe on the hill behind the loos.
