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 Kent County Council want to make
sure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful
scenery, varied landscapes and relaxing atmosphere of the
county's glorious countryside.
We have put together a list of countryside organisations and useful
website links to help you find out more about accessing Kent's
fantastic parks, open spaces and Public Rights of Way (PRoW).
You can use the information below to make your own decisions about
where to go and what to do. There really is something for everyone,
whatever your age or ability.
 What does easy access
mean?
Kent County Council's easy access walks are free of stiles and
obstructions. They generally have a hard, compact surface although
some walks may use grassy surfaces which can become muddy in winter
months. Easy access means that the route is suitable for pushchairs
and all wheelchairs.
Kent County Council
The Explore Kent pages of the website provide helpful
information on walking, riding and cycling in the county. The
online
map shows all the
Public Rights Of
Way (PRoW) in Kent and provides information on the location of
stiles and gates along the routes.
There is detailed information about facilities at
parks
and open spaces across Kent. The website also provides
information about some of the easy access walking routes in Kent.
You can download
Walks for All 1 and
Walks for All 2 from Explore Kent as well.
Country
Parks
Information on country parks and open spaces across Kent can be
found on the
'
parks and open spaces' page of the Explore Kent website. Those
that provide good accessibility include
Lullingstone,
Brockhill and
Shorne Wood.
The Forestry Commission (link
opens in a new window) manage many areas of woodland across the
county including Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest in Goudhurst. The
park has a new visitor centre with accessible facilities,
designated disabled parking spaces and a network of trails with
firm surfaces (some gradients). Personal mobility vehicles and
adapted cycles for hire.
The Kent
Wildlife Trust (link opens in a new window) manage
approximately 60 nature reserves in the county. The Trust's website
provides access and facilities information for a large proportion
of their reserves.
The
National Trust (link opens in a new window) manage many
properties and countryside sites across Kent. They provide a
printed access guide as well as a downloadable version from their
website. Many sites have wheelchairs for loan and some also have
personal mobility vehicles. The property pages on the National
Trust website contain information about access and facilities
available for disabled visitors.
The Woodland Trust (link
opens in a new window) conservation charity manages 20 sites in
Kent. They do not provide any specific access information, although
site description and information on facilities can be found on
their website.
Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (link opens in a new window) manage
seven nature reserves in Kent. A brief description of access and
facilities is found on their website on the 'facilities' page of
each reserve. The most comprehensive accessibility information is
provided for Blean Woods, near Canterbury; Dungeness; and Nor
Marsh, near Gillingham.
District and Borough Councils
Information on country parks and open spaces run by both
District and Borough councils can be found on the
'
parks and open spaces' page of the Explore Kent website.
Countryside recreation and outdoor pursuits
'By All Means' is a three-year action research project testing
methods for increasing disabled visitors to the countryside. The
project works closely with the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability
Project and arrange a number of walks. More
information about the walks and contact details is available on
the Explore Kent website.
Kent
Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project (link opens in a new
window) develop facilities and opportunities for disabled people to
participate in outdoor pursuits. There are regular countryside
activities you can join in with across the county including
cycling, climbing, canoeing, archery and sailing.
For more information contact:
Paul Panton on 01732 525433 or email
paul.panton@kent.gov.uk
Bewl Water
Outdoor Centre, (link opens in a new window) near Tunbridge
Wells, offers outdoor pursuits for people of all abilities.
Carroty Wood
Adventure Centre (link opens in a new window) in Tonbridge
offers outdoor pursuits for people of all abilities.
Walking
Health walks for people of all abilities are being run in
association with the Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project, (link
opens in a new window) and focus on using the countryside to
promote a healthy lifestyle. They are presently being run at
Bedgebury Pinetum in Goudhurst and Brockhill Country Park near
Hythe.
Branching Out - A mixed ability walking group is being formed
for regular walks and outings to a variety of countryside sites
(primarily within a 25 mile radius of Maidstone, although hoping to
form additional groups to cover more of the county in the
future).
Parkinson's Disease Society Walking Group (link
opens in a new window) Canterbury Branch. Walks are arranged every
month. They are social occasions with gentle exercise, and include
a pub lunch or cream tea.
Disabled Ramblers Association (link opens in
new window) annually organises and runs a programme of supported
disabled rambles across the country. Further information and a
programme of events can be found on their website.
Countryside sites that have mobility vehicles for hire
Shorne Wood Country Park, Shorne, nr Gravesend - booking is
essential. There is free use for people with restricted mobility
after an initial induction session.
Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest (link opens in new
window) in Goudhurst.
The
National Trust (link opens in new window) - some National Trust
properties have personal mobility vehicles for
hire.
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