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Once part of an 18th Century estate created by Thomas Douce,
Manor Park is an attractive location with plenty for children to
enjoy.
The park has a large, open green space; children's play
equipment; and an attractive lake.
Located just a short walk to the south of West Malling town
centre, visitors can take relaxing walks through meadows, often
grazed by rare breed cattle.
Manor Park is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest with a
variety of native trees, such as limes, birch, willow, sweet
chestnut and oak, providing habitats for many creatures. Squirrels,
woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue tits and robins are all found in the
park.
The lake and the surrounding copses support an abundance of
wildlife, including swans, coot, moorhen, mallard and
dabchicks.
In the area of the park that borders St Leonard's Street, lies
the remains of the ice house - a brick building that was used to
store ice from the lake, for use in the kitchens of the estate
throughout the year.
In the summer the Ice House Field comes alive with flowers,
including dog daisy, buttercups, and the unusual 'hay rattle'. The
hay rattle is a small, yellow flowering plant that sets its seeds
in small round pouches, and, when dry, these rattle in the
breeze.
- The nearest train station is West Malling (0.5
miles).
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