Parents have been spending the past week finding ways to get the kids out of the house, away from the PlayStation or TikTok for a few hours during half-term. Living in Kent has many perks, one of which is having an abundance of family days out right on our doorstep. With the , it’s a great time to get out for a walk, exploring the beautiful scenery that has earned the Garden of England its nickname.
Perhaps a more underrated country park that is well worth considering, Conningbrook Lakes in provides gorgeous trails through picturesque scenery and is a perfect spot to bring the family. Formerly a sand and gravel quarry next to the Julie Rose Stadium, the site was gradually transformed into a family-oriented country park built around existing lakes in the area. Opening officially in 2015, a lakeside village was also constructed next to the park comprising around 300 homes.
Featuring three distinct lakes and a variety of habitats, the park is a haven for wildlife, making this a photographer’s dream to explore. In particular, the country park is rich in birdlife, ranging from shoveller, wigeon, tufted duck and gadwall during the winter months to migrating warbler species and breeding birds around the lake edges in the spring. Looking towards the summer, this is when the park is home to a colourful array of butterfly and dragonfly species to look out for.
Back in 2023, an eagle-eyed visitor even at Conningbrook Lakes. This was the first time a beaver had ever been spotted in t.