For the last two years Haysden Country Park has been a Green Flag Award winning park. The Park includes Barden and Haysden Lakes and a stretch of the River Medway within its boundary. These features contribute to the character and individuality of the park and the rich variety of wildlife. The waterfowl will interest both the expert bird watcher and the casual onlooker. A surfaced path around Barden Lake allows easy access for all.

Haysden Country Park

Nature Trail

This leaflet is a self-guided trail and has been written mainly for

adults but has some questions for parents to ask children

The Country Park Guide contains details of cycling, fishing, boating and walking. includes country park map.

What is there to do?

There is a wide variety of things to do at the country park, including walking, children's play area, sailing, fishing, and nature study.

Walking/ nature study

Ask for a free copy of the Haysden Country Park Nature and Historical Trail leaflets from the Tourist Information Centre at Tonbridge Castle. Tel 01732 770929, or click on the following links above to download your own copy:

Fishing

Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation Society controls the fishing in the park - day tickets are available from the bailiff at Barden Lake, Haysden Lake and River Medway.

For details about the Society

contact 01732 359385 or 01732 832352

Sailing

Tonbridge Town Sailing Club aims to encourage small boat sailing on Haysden Water. For more details about joining the Club Tel: 01732 354841. http://www.tonbridgesailing.org.uk

Accessible How accessible is the park?

Much of the Park is very accessible to less able visitors. Near the main car park there are toilets with a separate accessible RADAR key toilet. To obtain a RADAR key, ring 01732 876202 or email waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk

Barden Lake has accessible fishing platforms (day fishing tickets available at the park, see above). RADAR keys allow access to these and to lakeside parking and a Viewpoint.  Walks with the best access are on compacted surface paths around Barden Lake, some seats are present beside the path. A shorter walk is also possible from the car park past the Stone Lock.  The play area has mainly bark surfacing and is designed for older children. This gives limited access for wheelchair users and the visually impaired who will find the raised bark pit edge difficult. Improvements to the play area are planned in future.  The Nature and Historical Trails have limited access for less able users with some unmade paths in the wilder parts of the site.

Water safety in Tonbridge and Malling

With increasing hot weather throughout the year the temptation to' cool off' in public lakes, rivers, streams and ponds is high, especially for children and  young adults; however this can be very dangerous. This page is designed to provide people with useful information about water safety.  The Council has many Public Open Spaces which have, or are adjacent to, inland water which includes: Lakes - Ponds - Streams - Rivers - Old quarries - Reservoirs.  All of the these water bodies can be dangerous and fatal, especially to young people

Car parking

Ample car parking is available for visitors with specially designated areas at the park entrance for minibus and coaches. Access through the height restriction barrier (1.9 metres, 6'. 2") at the car park can be pre-arranged by calling 01732 876172 but please note that a period of two working days notice is required to arrange for opening of the barrier.

Are there any toilets?

Toilets facilities are located near the main car park, and these include separate accessible toilet facilities controlled by RADAR key.

When is the park open?

The park opens daily though out the year, from 7.30am and closes at dusk. Daily closing times are displayed at park entrance.

Please note that the park is locked at the advertised closing time.