Manor Park Country Park: Difference between revisions

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Manor Park Country Park is in West Malling, in Kent, England. 51°17′12″N 0°24′07″E / 51.2868°N 0.4020°E / 51.2868; 0.4020

This Coutry park was bought by Kent County Council, in 1973 by using a grant aid from the Countryside Commission. The site covers 52 acres, part of which was the estate of the nearby Century Manor House. The Grade Listed II building is opposite the park (across St. Leonard's Street). Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

The park is divided into 5 sections;- the Lake, Douce's Meadow, Ice House Field, Abbey Field + Chestnut Paddock and St Leonard's Tower, West Malling.

The Lake - large body of water, running the length of St.Leonards Road. It and it's surrounding woodland are haven for water wildlife, including Mallard ducks, coots, swans and Moorhens. In summer, Martins and Swallows visit the lake.

Douce's Meadow - Large parkland meadow, in the past it had wide open views across towards the house and West Malling Church.

Ice House Field - this meadow section, takes it name from an area with the site of a former Ice house (building). The sunken brick construted chamber, with a concrete floor, would have been used to keep ice for the lake (at Winter) to be used in the Manor House kitchen. The meadow has many many meadow plants growing within it. Inculding Dog Daisies, Buttercups and Hay Rattle.

Abbey Field + Chestnut Paddocks - two very large fields (to the west of the estate). Used mainly for grazing cattle during various parts of the year. This promotes further wildlife and plantlife diverstiy within the park. Chestnut Paddocks, is also named after the large group of ancient Sweet Chestnut trees growing near the middle of the field.

How to get there

Situated from the M20 Junction 4, follow the A228 (Malling Road) to Snodland, then at the roundabout follow signs to the car park.

References

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [[Image:Footbridge_in_Manor_Park_Country_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1145712.jpg|thumb| Footbridge in Manor Park Country Park]]
+This Coutry park was bought by [[Kent County Council]], in 1973 by using a grant aid from the [[Countryside Commission]].
+The site covers 52 acres, part of which was the estate of the nearby Century Manor House. The Grade Listed II building is opposite the park (across St. Leonard's Street).
+<ref name=Listed Manor House>http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-392437-douce-s-manor-60-west-malling</ref>
+[[Image:Manor_House_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1145702.jpg|thumb| Douce's Manor - Former Manor House]]
-has been created from a series of disused and flooded chalk mines near to [[Snodland]].
-The lakes provide a wonderful location for wildlife and birdwatching, whilst also allowing watersports enthusiasts the opportunity to windsurf, canoe and kayaking.
-Also diving takes place on one of the lakes.
-Around the lakes are a series of woods and gentle walks. Popular with local dogwalkers.
+The park is divided into 5 sections;- the Lake, Douce's Meadow, Ice House Field, Abbey Field + Chestnut Paddock and [[St Leonard's Tower, West Malling]].
-A small charge is payable to park cars near to the visitor centre.
-A small burger van comes into the site during the summer season to provide refreshments.
+The Lake - large body of water, running the length of St.Leonards Road. It and it's surrounding woodland are haven for water wildlife, including [[Mallard duck]]s, [[coot]]s, [[swan]]s and [[Moorhen]]s. In summer, [[Martin]]s and [[Swallow]]s visit the lake.
+Douce's Meadow - Large parkland meadow, in the past it had wide open views across towards the house and West Malling Church.
+Ice House Field - this meadow section, takes it name from an area with the site of a former [[Ice house (building)]]. The sunken brick construted chamber, with a concrete floor, would have been used to keep ice for the lake (at Winter) to be used in the Manor House kitchen.
+The meadow has many many meadow plants growing within it. Inculding Dog Daisies, [[Buttercups]] and Hay Rattle.
+Abbey Field + Chestnut Paddocks - two very large fields (to the west of the estate). Used mainly for grazing cattle during various parts of the year. This promotes further wildlife and plantlife diverstiy within the park.
+Chestnut Paddocks, is also named after the large group of ancient [[Sweet Chestnut]] trees growing near the middle of the field.
-http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/countryside_and_coast/parks_and_open_spaces/country_parks/manor_park_country_park.aspx
 ==How to get there==
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 ==External links==
 *[http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1272 Tonbridge Council Page]
+*[http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/countryside_and_coast/parks_and_open_spaces/country_parks/manor_park_country_park.aspx]
 ==References==