Love Parks Week 2020

Love Park Weeks is a campaign by Keep Britain Tidy, who aim is to reduce litter, cut waste, and improve green spaces across the country. Love Parks Week 2020 campaign is to encourage everyone to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy your favourite park. 

This year so far has been anything but ordinary, and for many of us, a visit to the local park has been the highlight of the week! Parks and green spaces are not only vital for the health of the environment but our mental and physical wellbeing too. That’s why at Kent-Teach we are celebrating our local green spaces with a rundown of our most loved parks in Kent, here are our favourites:

Becki:

When it comes to looking for the perfect park to relax in the sun, I prefer a less popular destination to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. Burham Down Nature Reserve is a beautiful green space offering amazing views across Kent. Be warned – there are a few steep hills to climb if you want to see the best views, but it’s definitely worth it! I enjoy taking a long walk from Aylesford village up to the reserve (around 4 -5 miles) to really stretch my legs and get some much-needed exercise.

Nikita:

Leybourne Lakes situated in the heart of Kent is my go-to place purely due to its sense of calmness and sensational views. When lockdown was eased a couple of weeks ago this was the first place I ventured to. A one-stop-shop for all sights and activities where you can feed the ducks, take a little adventure through the 93 hectares of parkland, cycle through the woodland, explore the wildflower meadow and stop for a sweet treat at the café. I like to get there super early in the morning with my daughter and we have a little wander through the parkland before sitting on a bench to feed the ducks. I use this opportunity to have some quiet time, if you look ahead, you’ll see the beautiful green and blue tones glimmering on the lakes and feel a sense of peace, that to me is what makes a good country park.

Louis:

I enjoy going to Knole Park as it is near Sevenoaks town centre, meaning you have the perks of shops in walking distance but also the feeling that you are in a secluded location, away from busy roads and pavements; the best of both worlds. Due to its size, you can walk around in peace even if there are lots of other people there which allows everyone to go and still enjoy it. If you go early enough you can take advantage of the vast area to yourself and feel like you have your own private land. It is a great place whether it is for a walk, cycle or just somewhere to simply sit in the hot weather. I tend to go there now on walks with friends for a change of scenery, in the past, I used to go on bike rides as it has a range of hills and woodlands. The hills made snowy winters great fun when I was younger as it is a great place for sledging!

Becky:

Mote Park in Maidstone is my go-to park for a walk with my son. Set in over 450 acres of parkland, it always feels like there is a new route to explore and with plenty of organised walks on offer, it is a great place to socialise with other mums. The highlight of Mote Park for me is the gorgeous lake, nothing beats feeding the ducks on a sunny day followed by an ice cream from the café! I know I will be returning to Mote Park regularly as my little boys grows up, as there are so many activities on offer including a fantastic adventure play area, Segway tours and even kayaking. 

Elliot:

Russell Gardens in Dover is my favourite park. Being within walking distance of my home, I often go for walks here in the summer months with my two dogs, who love jumping in the water far too much! There is plenty of wildlife to see as you walk around, with swans and ducks swimming around on the lake. Russell Gardens is an idyllic place to relax and have a picnic with friends and family.

Which park is your favourite? Why not take a picture of you and your family enjoying your local park this summer and share with us on social media? We would love to see what you get up to over the summer holidays! 

Planning a picnic in your local park or nature reserve? Make sure you read our top tips for packing the perfect picnic to impress your family and friends!