Leybourne Lakes Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leybourne Lakes Country Park |
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Leybourne Lakes
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| OS grid | TQ695603 |
| Area | 93 hectares (230 acres) |
| Created | 2004 |
| Operated by | Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust (trading as tmactive) |
| Open | 7 days a week, dawn until dusk |
| Parking | Paid parking |
| Website | Leybourne Lakes Country Park |
Leybourne Lakes Country Park is a fun place to visit near Snodland in Kent, England. This park opened in 2004. It was created from old gravel pits that were no longer used. These pits were filled with water and made into beautiful lakes. Now, people can enjoy fishing and watching wildlife here.
How Leybourne Lakes Park Was Made
In the 1930s, a river flowed from Leybourne. It passed through a small area called Lunsford. Then it went past Ham Hill, which is part of Snodland. Finally, it joined the River Medway.
Snodland used to be a busy industrial town. Many people worked in papermaking and chalk quarries. One of these old chalk pits became Brookland Lake. You can walk from Snodland, past Brookland Lake, and into Leybourne Lakes.
The village of Larkfield is south of the lakes. It has grown a lot since the M20 motorway was built in the 1970s. New houses are still being built there. The digging for gravel also stopped in the 1970s. The gravel pits and nearby land were then marked as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). This means the area is important for nature.
The local council wanted to turn this area into a country park. They worked with a company called Berkeley Homes.
Berkeley Homes built houses called 'The Lakes in Leybourne'. These houses were built next to one of the old gravel pits. This pit had been turned into a man-made lake. Some people in Larkfield were not happy about the new houses. But the other lakes were made into a country park and nature reserve. This helped to protect nature in the area.
In 2004, the lakes and nature reserve were given to the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. They now own and take care of the lakes and paths.
What Can You Do at Leybourne Lakes?
The park has 93 hectares (230 acres) of lakes. These lakes are peaceful places for wildlife. You can watch many different birds here. People who love watersports can also enjoy the lakes. You can go windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Some people even go diving in one of the lakes.
Around the lakes, there are woods and easy walking trails. These paths are great for walking your dog or just enjoying a stroll.
There is a small fee to park your car. The car park is close to the visitor centre. During the summer, you can buy snacks and drinks from mobile food sellers.
Some lakes nearby, to the west and north, are mainly used for private angling (fishing).
Leybourne Lakes also hosts Parkrun every Saturday morning at 9 AM. This event involves running two laps around the main lake. It's a great way to get active!
