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Best Parks in Kent
Kent is famous for its expansive countryside and protected landscapes. This beautiful South East county attracts visitors from across the UK, drawn to its sandy beaches, nature reserves, and scenic cycling and walking routes. Much of the region is covered by the Kent Downs and the High Weald National Landscapes, where you’ll find some of the best parks in Kent, from wildlife reserves to family-friendly playgrounds. Read on to discover some of the best play parks and nature reserves in the South East and how to visit them from our homes across Kent.
Best Parks Near Canterbury, Kent
For those living in or around Blean, Faversham and Newington, there are several parks within an hour’s drive of Canterbury:
1. RSPB Blean Woods
A coppiced woodland just northwest of Canterbury, the Blean Woods reserve is a popular walking spot for residents of Blean. It offers a range of hiking routes, including an 8-mile round trip through woodland and heathland, with the chance to spot woodcocks. Dogs are welcome on leads, and there’s a designated shorter route for easier walks. Please note that paths can be uneven and are not wheelchair friendly.
Distance from our new homes in Blean:
- 15-minute drive
- 20-minute walk
2. Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve
Just up the road from the city of Canterbury, Stodmarsh is a sizeable wetland reserve covering the largest reed bed in the South East. The reserve begins at the Red Lion Inn in Stodmarsh, where you can stop for a drink before your walk or relax once your hike is complete. Spanning 596 acres, the reserve features a loop route around its edges, along with several paths that run alongside the waterways. It also includes several ‘sensory trails’, all of which are wheelchair and pram friendly.
Distance from our new homes:
- Blean: 30-minute drive
- Faversham: 30-minute drive
3. Elmley National Nature Reserve
Less widely known yet particularly distinctive, Elmley Nature Reserve sits on the Isle of Sheppey, known for its unspoilt marshland. Spanning 3,300 acres across the south of the island, the reserve offers expansive landscapes where birdwatching hides overlook quiet waterways and open grassland. Visitors can expect to encounter marsh harriers, egrets, grebes and linnets, along with a variety of other waterbirds that flourish along Kent’s coastline. Entry is free but must be booked in advance.
Distance from our new homes:
Best Parks in the Maidstone Area, Kent
Residents in our new homes in Sutton Valence can enjoy a range of nice parks in Kent, all within a 15-minute to one-hour drive. These include:
4. Mote Park
One of Kent’s most popular urban parks, Mote Park covers 450 acres in the heart of Maidstone. It’s a leisure park for residents and visitors, with a watersports hub, large sports grounds, a cycle track and an indoor leisure centre, alongside regular community events such as guided walks and the local parkrun. Perfect for dog walking, cycling, kayaking and outdoor sports, it’s located an easy 20-minute drive from our homes in Sutton Valence. With plenty of open space and dedicated play areas, it’s a great choice for families looking for well-equipped play parks in Kent.
5. Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Arguably one of the most famous gardens in the country, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is just a 20-minute drive from our homes in Sutton Valence. Run by the National Trust, it costs around £20 to visit and offers access to a beautiful 450-acre estate. The garden features a renowned rose garden and vegetable garden, alongside a bookshop, café and plant shop. After exploring the grounds, visitors can climb the tower to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Guided tours are available, although you can also explore at your own pace.
6. Hatch Park
Hatch Park is a large deer park set in the countryside east of Ashford, a 30-minute drive from Sutton Valence. Sprawling across an impressive 2,700 acres, the estate features extensive footpaths and walking routes that visitors can use free of charge, along with a herd of fallow deer that you may be lucky enough to spot. The park is ideal for hiking, with ancient hornbeam woodland, acres of open farmland and a natural pond to explore. Located just outside the Kent Downs, it benefits from the same picturesque scenery found across the national landscape.
7. Haysden Country Park
For those happy to travel a little further, Haysden Country Park is a popular destination for fishing, with several freshwater lakes and a sailing club, making it ideal for angling and watersports. Located around an hour’s drive from our new homes in Sutton Valence, the park also features a small café and a children’s play area, both situated close to the car park at Barden Lake.
A variety of ducks, geese and other waterbirds can be found here, making it one of the best parks in Kent for kids, particularly for families who enjoy birdwatching. Situated to the west of Tonbridge, just north of the High Weald National Landscape, Haysden also provides access to additional countryside to explore beyond the 160-acre park.
Explore the Best Parks in Kent from Your New Home
From the nature reserves around Canterbury to the coastlines of Sheppey and Dungeness, there are hundreds of good parks in Kent to explore with the family. Whether you want to spend more time outdoors or simply enjoy a more relaxed way of life in the countryside, our new homes in Kent offer the perfect way to experience the rural South-East.
