Tag Archives: rural

Riverside Country Park, Gillingham

For New Years 2021 we took a walk to the Riverside Country Park, near Gillingham. The car park was full but we didn’t have to wait long for someone to leave. While walking about we noticed another car park before you come to the park (driving from Gravesend) but you would have to turn off before the official entrance to get to it.

  • OK after wet weather – in most areas
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes

Lovely marshy area with lots of bird life. Very popular but then it was New Years and nothing else is open. Lots of people with dogs.

Christmas Day 2020

We’re in Tier 4 lockdown so shouldn’t leave Kent. It has been a lovely day, cold and sunny. As tomorrow there is a weather warning for wind we decided to head out today instead. We went to Haysden Country Park. Last visited about 6 years ago.

The parking fee is fine but I’m not sure how you pay without coins. Who has coins in these pandemic days! We both tried paying via the phone or via the app and we both failed. Matthew first tried the app a couple of times then when he tried the phone number was told his account had been suspended. So I tried the phone first but it didn’t like the way I said the car reg so the voice told me to text the details in response to a text I then received. Of course my text wouldn’t go through! I then got a text of the website details of my new account. I logged in and yes my personal details were there but whe I tried to add my car details I got an error message:

So we tried! I used to get all KCC parks for free as a Shorne Wood volunteer but I don’t know if that still applies. If we get a fine I will appeal.

We just went round Barden Lake this time. Couscous is 11 now so a lot slower and we don’t explore as much as we used to. No chasing of trains this time. There were a few people about. All the phone calls I overheard were about what people were having for Christmas dinner.

Dogs at Hever Castle

Dogs are welcome in the grounds at Hever Castle & Gardens, as long as they are on leads…

Leybourne Lake, Kent

Back to an old favourite.

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Kent

We were on the way to Knole and passed a sign for Riverhill and decided to go there instead. Glad we did. Dogs welcome. Nice cafe. There is so much to the garden to explore. The top of the hill has a great view. Couscous seemed to love it so we got a season pass. We need to go back 2 more times by end Oct 2019 to make it worthwhile so we should be ok. Unfortunately they are closed over the winter.

 

Weald Country Park, Essex

We haven’t been anywhere new for a while but today we went over to Essex to check out Weald Country Park. Lovely day, lots of families out with picnics.  Lots of mixed woodland, deer and a few cows.

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Emmett’s Garden, Kent

Back to Emmett’s, this time with Sophie.

Emmett's June 2016 (2) Emmett's June 2016 (1)

Emmett's June 2016 (3)Emmett's June 2016 (4)

Walks around Kent

We haven’t tried these but I want to reference the article so we can give some of these a try:

Places to walk your dog across Kent from Thanet to Deal and Maidstone to Whitstable

Belmont, Kent

Today we visited the gardens at Belmont, near Faversham. Although we did glimpse an elderly couple, all dressed up, when we first arrived, we saw no-one else durng the visit – quite nice really. I loved a wall garden and Couscous likes running around lawns (even on a lead) so this venue worked well for us. I also love a ha-ha, a field of sheep, Victorian green houses and an ice-house. Would like to visit in the summer and see the house as well.

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Chartwell, Boxing Day 2015

Today we visited Chartwell for our annual Boxing Day walk. Rather warm for December at 14 degrees!

Chartwell Boxing Day 2015 (1) comp

Chartwell Boxing Day 2015 (2) comp

Chartwell Boxing Day 2015 (3) comp

Chartwell Boxing Day 2015 (5) comp