Tag Archives: rural

Great Dixter, Sussex

We went to the dachshund racing day at Great Dixter. Couscous was a little aloof but others were racing away.

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Bough Beech, Kent

The nature trail here is worth a walk. The start is from the oast house / café / Wildhouse Trust visitor centre. There is a variety of bird and other wildlife. The reservoir can be seen better from the road just round the bend.

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  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes
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    Knole Park, Kent

    The landscape here is different from other areas of Kent in that the ground is sandy not stoney-Couscous preferred it. The park is full of grass fields with thick growth of ferns either side. Dogs aren’t allowed in the house but the park is vast so it’s no bother. This is Kent’s last medieval deer park. The deer are very pretty but can be a little too friendly. We saw one that was hassling a woman and toddler for their picnic food. We took Couscous up to them to see if it would move away from a dog but instead it was very curious and stomped its hoofs enough to make us back off. The oddest thing was a lack of rubbish bins outside the café area. I intend to return to visit the house and its collections.

    knole-map

  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – no (for National Trust members)
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes
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    Sutton Valence, Kent

    Sutton Valence is a small, historical village near Maidstone. There are the remains of a castle which are open to the public (free). We parked in the village (very picturesque – so good to take visitors to if you want to show them an English village that isn’t touristy) then walked round to the castle and continued round the block. There appears to be an area/field/wood to walk the dog in which is on the right hand side as you return to the village – follow the stair where you see a dog poo bin. We went from here to Mote Park – a good combination.

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  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – no
  • Café/pub – yes
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    Dryhill Park, Kent

    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.

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  • OK after wet weather – no
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – no
  • Café – no
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    White Horse Park, Kent

    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.

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  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – yes
  • Toilets – no
  • Café – no
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    Camer Park, Kent, this spring

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    Haysden Park, Kent

    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.

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  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – yes
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes
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    Easter Sunday at the Cobham Mausoleum, Kent

    Grubby dog

    Grubby dog

    During a walk to the Mausolem.

    We realised today that the Mausoleum would be a good place to retreat to if the zombie hoards were on the march.

    Darenth Wood, Kent

    We’ve only been here once, winter 2010, so there is more to explore. There is a small apple orchard on site.

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  • OK after wet weather – ?
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – no
  • Café – no
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