Easy access to the countryside

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 (RSPB) 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.

Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project 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 by emailing him at paul.panton@kent.gov.uk

Bewl Water Outdoor Centre, near Tunbridge Wells, offers outdoor pursuits for people of all abilities.

Carroty Wood Adventure Centre 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, 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 is 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 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 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 in Goudhurst.

The National Trust - some National Trust properties have personal mobility vehicles for hire.