Haysden Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haysden Country Park |
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Barden Lake in Haysden Country Park
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| Area | 64 hectares (160 acres (650,000 m2)) |
| Created | 1988 |
| Operated by | Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |
| Open | 7 days a week, dawn until dusk |
Haysden Country Park is a fantastic outdoor space near Tonbridge in Kent. It's a huge area, about 64 hectares (that's like 160 football fields!). This park is a special place for nature, known as a Local Nature Reserve.
The park is looked after by the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. It's a great spot for families and friends to explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
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Exploring Haysden Country Park
Haysden Country Park is a big area of countryside. It has two main lakes, called Barden Lake and Haysden Water. The River Medway also flows right through the park. You'll find many small streams and branches of the river here. Because of all the water, there are lots of bridges, and many of them even have names!
Wildlife and Nature
This park is a haven for different kinds of wildlife. You can spot many waterfowl (birds that live near water). There are also beautiful wild flowers and lots of interesting insects. The park is so important for nature that it's officially called a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Since 2008, it has also been a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected area where nature can thrive.
Roads and Railways
You might notice the A21 passing over a huge bridge, called a viaduct, near Haysden Water. Close by, there's also the Medway flood barrier. This barrier helps protect the area from floods. A railway line, which goes from Tonbridge towards Redhill, Surrey, also runs through the park.
A Look Back in Time: Park History
Haysden Country Park officially opened in 1988. However, parts of this land were owned by the Tonbridge Council much earlier. People were enjoying the area long before it became a country park. The Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council still manages the park today.
The Straight Mile and Stone Lock
One interesting part of the park is called the Straight Mile. This was dug way back in 1830! A man named James Christie wanted it to be a canal leading to Tonbridge Water Mill. But it was never filled with water.
Nearby, you can still see the Stone Lock, which was built in 1829 by the same person. This lock was designed to help barges move between the Straight Mile and the higher level of the River Medway. It's still mostly in one piece today!
The Shallows
Another unique area is The Shallows. This is a winding stream that branches off the River Medway. It has gravel beds that you can use to cross the river. Long ago, this was actually part of the main River Medway. But it was sometimes too shallow for large boats. So, a new, deeper path was built for boats. The Shallows then became a quiet stream. Over time, it's slowly turning into marshland, which is a great habitat for wildlife.
How Barden Lake Was Made
Barden Lake wasn't always here. It was created between 1974 and 1980. How? People used huge machines called Dragline excavators to dig out sand and gravel from the land. The lake is about 3.6 meters (12 feet) deep.
World War II History
If you explore along the riverbank, you might spot a World War II pillbox. These small, strong concrete shelters were built during the war. This pillbox, along with others along the River Medway, was part of something called the Ironside Line. In 1944, Prime Minister Winston Churchill asked General Sir Edmund Ironside to create a strong defense line in case German forces tried to invade.
Named Bridges
In 2008, a project started to give names to the 14 bridges in the park. By 2015, this work was finished, and now each bridge has its own name!
Getting to Haysden Country Park
It's easy to get to Haysden Country Park!
- By Car: From Tonbridge, follow Lower Haysden Road. You'll see the visitor centre and car park on your right.
- By Bike or Foot: Regional Cycle Route 12 goes through the park. You can cycle or walk along this route from Tonbridge towards Penshurst.
- By Train: The closest train station is Tonbridge. It's about 1.5 miles from the station to the park's visitor centre.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Haysden Country Park is a fantastic place for many different activities!
- Walking - You can enjoy lovely walks here. The Eden Valley Walk and Wealdway trails both pass through the park.
- Children's play area - Kids can have fun on the playground.
- Sailing - You can go sailing on Haysden Lake.
- Fishing - Barden Lake is a popular spot for fishing.
- Nature study - It's a great place to learn about plants and animals.
- Volunteering - You can even help out and volunteer to keep the park beautiful!
Fishing at Barden Lake
Fishing at Barden Lake is managed by the Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation Society. There's a warden who helps look after the fishing area.
Sailing on Haysden Lake
If you like sailing, the Tonbridge Town Sailing Club encourages small boats on Haysden Lake. It's a perfect spot for a peaceful sail.
Nature and History Trails
The Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has created special guides. These guides help you explore the park and learn about its nature and history. People say these walks are very "interesting"!
Awards for the Park
Haysden Country Park is a really well-maintained park. Since 2006, it has won the Green Flag Award. This award is given to the best parks and green spaces in the UK. In 2001, the park was also praised for making it easy for people with disabilities to access and enjoy the area.
