Haysden Country Park

Haysden Country Park

Barden Lake in Haysden Country Park
Coordinates 51°11′31″N 0°14′51″E / 51.1919°N 0.2475°ECoordinates: 51°11′31″N 0°14′51″E / 51.1919°N 0.2475°E
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
Website www.tmbc.gov.uk/assets/Leisure_Tourism/Haysden/LeafletHCP.pdf
Haysden Country Park shown within Kent (grid reference TQ23596315)

Haysden Country Park is a country park on the outskirts of Tonbridge, Kent, in the south-east of England.

Geography

The park comprises 64 hectares (160 acres) of countryside [1] to the west of Tonbridge. The park has two lakes, Barden and Haysden Water, and a stretch of the River Medway running through it.[2] The park is home to a variety of wildlife including waterfowl, wild flowers, and insect life.[2] It is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest,[1] and as of October 27, 2008 it has been designated a Local Nature Reserve.[2][3]

The A21 passes over the top of Haysden lake, held by a viaduct.[4]

History

The park was opened as a Country Park in 1988, but the land had been partly owned by the Tonbridge Council and had been used by the public long before this time. It is still managed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Cycleway on the Straight Mile

Leading off the River Medway is the Straight Mile, which was dug in 1830 intended, by James Christie, to be a canal leading to Tonbridge Water Mill but never filled with water, can still be seen and the Stone Lock, built in 1829 (also by James Christie) at Haysden, remains largely intact. It leads towards Haysden Water. The lock was intended for transferring barges between the level of the Straight Mile and the higher level of the River Medway.[5]

Another section of the park is The Shallows, a winding stream leading off the River Medway, with various gravel beds for crossing the river.[6] It was at one stage part of the River Medway having natural bends called meanders which were sometimes shallow and therefore difficult to navigate with large boats. Since the river was used by canal craft, a boat-able diversion was constructed around this section. The Shallows then became a quiet backwater stream which is gradually developing into marshland.[7]

Barden Lake was created when sand and gravel were extracted from the land between 1974 and 1980. Dragline excavators were used to dig the material out. The Lake is approximately 3.6 metres (12 feet) deep.

A World War II pillbox can be found in the hedgerow along the riverbank. This pillbox and others along the River Medway formed part of the Ironside Line. On 27 May 1944, Prime Minister Churchill had put General Sir Edmund Ironside in charge of creating a premier line of defence against German invasion forces.[7][8]

A project to go about naming the 14 bridges that are included in the park was announced on November 24, 2008 at the Tonbridge Forum; names had been decided; however, it has proved difficult to raise the funds to carry out the signposting.[9]

How to get there

From Tonbridge, the Lower Haysden Road leads towards Lower Haysden and Upper Haysden. On the left is the visitor centre and car park. Regional Cycle Route 12 leads from Penshurst through the park towards Tonbridge. The nearest railway station is Tonbridge (1.5 miles).[1]

Activities

The park is a setting for a variety of leisure activities.

Bridge in Haysden Country Park

Fishing

This is run by Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation Society, and is controlled by a warden on Barden Lake.[2]

Sailing

This is encouraged on Haysden Lake by Tonbridge Town Sailing Club for small vessels.[2]

Nature and Historical Trails

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council publish guides[2] for people to use to discover the nature and history of the area. These walks have been described as "interesting"[11]

Awards

Since 2006 the park has been a Green Flag Award winning park.[2][12] In January 2001, the park was applauded by the Tonbridge and Malling Access Group for its achievement in providing access for disabled people.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Haysden Country Park". Kent County Council. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Haysden Country Park". Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  3. ↑ "Haysden Country Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "BBC - Kent - In Pictures - Haysden Lake". bbc.co.uk. BBC.
  5. ↑ http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/events/penshurst-canal.htm
  6. ↑ http://tonbridgecollectables.com/page3.php
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/assets/Leisure_Tourism/HaysdenHistoricTrail.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.leighhistorical.org.uk/History/Pill_Boxes.htm
  9. ↑ "Funds needed for Tonbridge bridges". Kent and Sussex Courier. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  10. ↑ http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/eden-valley-walk-walking-route
  11. ↑ "Kent Tourist Attractions". Tourist Net UK Guide. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  12. ↑ "Green Flag Award Winners - South East". greenflagaward.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  13. ↑ "Tonbridge Access Group gives awards". Kent and Sussex Courier. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2009-01-08.

External links