Teston Bridge 1 Final - Kent County Council
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Opening hours The park is open daily from 9.00am, and closes at dusk or 9.00pm (whichever is earlier), except for Christmas Day when the site is closed Play area A new and exciting play area, opened in 2008, can be found next to the overflow car park, and is suitable for most ages Toilets Ladies, gents and disabled access toilets can be found in the wooden building in the corner of the main car park Refreshments Ice creams and a limited range of refreshments can be found during weekends in the summer months Car parking Available in the park for a small charge. For regular visitors, a season ticket can be purchased by calling 08458 247600, and this also gives free parking at other KCC-owned country parks. www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent Facilities How to get here By foot Teston Bridge Country Park is situated on Teston Lane on the outskirts of Teston village, approximately 3 miles west of Maidstone. By car Teston Lane (B1263) is just off the A26 between Maidstone and Tonbridge. As you approach the park, brown and white signs will guide you to the site. By bus From Tonbridge direction: Arriva bus no 7 From Maidstone direction: Arriva bus no 6 or 7 For further information, contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233. By train The closest train station to the park is Wateringbury, approximately 3 miles away. The easiest ways to approach the park from the station are either to walk along the River Medway path, adjacent to the station, or to catch an Arriva bus (no 6 or 7) towards Maidstone. ■ Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs ■ Leave gates and property as you find them ■ Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home ■ Keep dogs under close control ■ Consider other people Countryside Code Teston Bridge Country Park Teston Bridge Country Park,Teston Lane Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BX Tel: 01622 817623 Fax: 01622 817623 Email: [email protected] Printed on 75% recycled paper
Transcript of Teston Bridge 1 Final - Kent County Council
Teston Bridge Country Park opened to the publicin autumn 1978.It is a 32 acre site and consists ofthree meadows nestling beside the River Medway.Prior to this,the park was used for grazinglivestock,and this tradition continues with two ofthe meadows still grazed today as part of the sitemanagement.
Welcome to
Teston BridgeCountry Park
Teston BridgeConstructed of Kentishragstone,the bridge at Testonis a well known feature in thearea,dating back to Medievaltimes.It was probably built inits current form before 1300,although some accountsdetail the bridge as 14thCentury with only three of itsseven arches being Medieval.The central arch was rebuilt atthe end of the 18th Century toimprove navigation on theriver.Three other arches wererebuilt in 1830,and the wholebridge underwent majorrestoration in 1978.
River MedwayThe river runs alongside the southern boundary of the park,and was once an important trading route betweenMaidstone and Tonbridge,after the river was madenavigable in 1741.In its heyday,the river was used bybarges transporting aggregate and other goods betweenthese two key towns,but it became obsolete when therailway was built adjacent to the river in 1844.
Nowadays,the river is used primarily by pleasure craft,and the lock is an ideal place to come and watch boatscruise up and down on a sunny afternoon.While you’rethere,look out for the bright blue flash of a Kingfisher or,inthe summer months,Common Terns giving aerial displays.If you’re really lucky,you may even see an Otter playingabout or hunting for fish.
Bridge MeadowThis large open grass area is idealfor picnics,barbecues,and playinggames with the kids.Severalevents also take place here duringthe year,including the famousannual Kite Festival.For a leafletcontaining a full list of events atboth this site and other countryparks in Kent,call 08458 247600.
Tutsham Meadowand Coombe Hill
Grazing cattle are used asa natural way to promotea diverse grasslandhabitat in these meadowsand,because of them,youwill be able to see manydifferent species of wildflowers appearing,creating a blanket of colour throughout the summermonths.
The meadow landscape also helps small mammals tothrive.Field Voles and Shrews are common to the site,andKestrels and Barn Owls can often be seen hunting themover the grassland.
The area of meadow closest to the river tends to floodduring the winter months,creating a natural wetlandhabitat which stays marshy all year round.This providesgreat habitat for Common Frogs and Toads,Grass Snakes,Water Shrews and other wetland animals and insects.
Courtesy of Teston Parish C
ouncil
Courtesy of Teston Parish C
ouncilC
ourtesy of Teston Parish Council
Opening hoursThe park is open daily from 9.00am, and closesat dusk or 9.00pm (whichever is earlier), exceptfor Christmas Day when the site is closed
Play areaA new and exciting play area, opened in 2008,can be found next to the overflow car park, andis suitable for most ages
ToiletsLadies, gents and disabled access toilets can befound in the wooden building in the corner ofthe main car park
RefreshmentsIce creams and a limited range of refreshmentscan be found during weekends in the summermonths
Car parkingAvailable in the park for a small charge.For regular visitors, a season ticket can bepurchased by calling 08458 247600, and thisalso gives free parking at other KCC-ownedcountry parks.
www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent
Facilities How to get here
By footTeston Bridge Country Park is situated on Teston Lane on the outskirts of Teston village,approximately 3 miles west of Maidstone.
By carTeston Lane (B1263) is just off the A26 betweenMaidstone and Tonbridge. As you approach thepark, brown and white signs will guide you to thesite.
By busFrom Tonbridge direction: Arriva bus no 7From Maidstone direction: Arriva bus no 6 or 7For further information, contact Traveline on 0871200 2233.
By trainThe closest train station to the park is Wateringbury,approximately 3 miles away. The easiest ways toapproach the park from the station are either to walkalong the River Medway path, adjacent to thestation, or to catch an Arriva bus (no 6 or 7) towardsMaidstone.
■ Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs■ Leave gates and property as you find them■ Protect plants and animals, and take your
litter home■ Keep dogs under close control■ Consider other people
Countryside Code
Teston BridgeCountry Park
Teston Bridge Country Park, Teston LaneTeston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BXTel: 01622 817623 Fax: 01622 817623Email: [email protected]
Printed on 75% recycled paper
Teston Bridge 1 Final 27/3/08 12:48 Page 1
Teston Bridge Country Park opened to the publicin autumn 1978. It is a 32 acre site and consists ofthree meadows nestling beside the River Medway.Prior to this, the park was used for grazinglivestock, and this tradition continues with two ofthe meadows still grazed today as part of the sitemanagement.
Welcome to
Teston BridgeCountry Park
Teston BridgeConstructed of Kentishragstone, the bridge at Testonis a well known feature in thearea, dating back to Medievaltimes. It was probably built inits current form before 1300,although some accountsdetail the bridge as 14thCentury with only three of itsseven arches being Medieval.The central arch was rebuilt atthe end of the 18th Century toimprove navigation on theriver. Three other arches wererebuilt in 1830, and the wholebridge underwent majorrestoration in 1978.
River MedwayThe river runs alongside the southern boundary of the park,and was once an important trading route betweenMaidstone and Tonbridge, after the river was madenavigable in 1741. In its heyday, the river was used bybarges transporting aggregate and other goods betweenthese two key towns, but it became obsolete when therailway was built adjacent to the river in 1844.
Nowadays, the river is used primarily by pleasure craft,and the lock is an ideal place to come and watch boatscruise up and down on a sunny afternoon. While you’rethere, look out for the bright blue flash of a Kingfisher or, inthe summer months, Common Terns giving aerial displays.If you’re really lucky, you may even see an Otter playingabout or hunting for fish.
Bridge MeadowThis large open grass area is idealfor picnics, barbecues, and playinggames with the kids. Severalevents also take place here duringthe year, including the famousannual Kite Festival. For a leafletcontaining a full list of events atboth this site and other countryparks in Kent, call 08458 247600.
Tutsham Meadowand Coombe Hill
Grazing cattle are used asa natural way to promotea diverse grasslandhabitat in these meadowsand, because of them, youwill be able to see manydifferent species of wildflowers appearing,creating a blanket of colour throughout the summermonths.
The meadow landscape also helps small mammals tothrive. Field Voles and Shrews are common to the site, andKestrels and Barn Owls can often be seen hunting themover the grassland.
The area of meadow closest to the river tends to floodduring the winter months, creating a natural wetlandhabitat which stays marshy all year round. This providesgreat habitat for Common Frogs and Toads, Grass Snakes,Water Shrews and other wetland animals and insects.
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Opening hoursThe park is open daily from 9.00am,and closesat dusk or 9.00pm (whichever is earlier),exceptfor Christmas Day when the site is closed
Play areaA new and exciting play area,opened in 2008,can be found next to the overflow car park,andis suitable for most ages
ToiletsLadies,gents and disabled access toilets can befound in the wooden building in the corner ofthe main car park
RefreshmentsIce creams and a limited range of refreshmentscan be found during weekends in the summermonths
Car parkingAvailable in the park for a small charge.For regular visitors,a season ticket can bepurchased by calling 08458 247600,and thisalso gives free parking at other KCC-ownedcountry parks.
www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent
FacilitiesHow to get here
By footTeston Bridge Country Park is situated on Teston Lane on the outskirts of Teston village,approximately 3 miles west of Maidstone.
By carTeston Lane (B1263) is just off the A26 betweenMaidstone and Tonbridge.As you approach thepark,brown and white signs will guide you to thesite.
By busFrom Tonbridge direction:Arriva bus no 7From Maidstone direction:Arriva bus no 6 or 7For further information,contact Traveline on 0871200 2233.
By trainThe closest train station to the park is Wateringbury,approximately 3 miles away.The easiest ways toapproach the park from the station are either to walkalong the River Medway path,adjacent to thestation,or to catch an Arriva bus (no 6 or 7) towardsMaidstone.
■Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs■Leave gates and property as you find them■Protect plants and animals,and take your
litter home■Keep dogs under close control■Consider other people
Countryside Code
Teston BridgeCountry Park
Teston Bridge Country Park,Teston LaneTeston,Maidstone,Kent ME18 5BXTel:01622 817623 Fax:01622 817623Email:[email protected]
Printed on 75% recycled paper
Teston Bridge 1 Final 27/3/08 12:48 Page 1
Wildlife
While you’re wandering around the park, don’t forgetto keep a look out for some of our local wildlife …
Walking
Angling
Otter
Kingfisher
Water Shrew
Barn Owl
No matter what your ability,this is an ideal place to enjoywalks in the countryside. Takea short stroll around the easyaccess trail in the park, orstrike out along the MedwayValley Walk which leads all theway to Rochester in the East(16 miles), or Tonbridge in theWest (12 miles). OrdnanceSurvey Explorer Maps 147 and148 will come in handy for themost intrepid adventurers!
The stretch of river below the lockboasts one of the highest levels offish stocks along the entire RiverMedway. Pike, Chubb, Barbel,Roach, Perch and Bream are all inplentiful supply. You must have arod licence from the EnvironmentAgency in order to fish here, andbank bailiffs regularly patrol to sellday tickets. For furtherinformation, visitwww.testonbridgeangling.com
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