Leybourne Lakes Country Park

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Leybourne Lakes Country Park
Leybourne Lakes - geograph.org.uk - 258.jpg
Leybourne Lakes
Kent UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Leybourne Lakes shown within Kent
OS grid TQ695603
Coordinates 51°18′59″N0°26′00″E / 51.3163°N 0.4334°E / 51.3163; 0.4334
Area93 hectares (230 acres)
Created2004 (2004)
Operated byTonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust (trading as tmactive)
Open7 days a week, dawn until dusk
ParkingPaid parking
Website Leybourne Lakes Country Park

Leybourne Lakes Country Park is near Snodland, in Kent, England. The park, which opened in 2004, was created from disused gravel pits that have been flooded and landscaped to make fishing and wildlife lakes.

Contents

History

In the 1930s a river fed from Leybourne led past the small hamlet of Lunsford (part of Larkfield) and then past Ham Hill (part of Snodland) into the River Medway. Snodland was once a centre of industry along the river, with papermaking and chalk quarries being the main employers in the town. A footpath leads into the park from Brook Street, Snodland, near the entrance to Brookland Lake. [1]

The village of Larkfield (to the south of the lakes) has expanded rapidly since the M20 motorway was constructed in the 1970s and it continues to grow, with new housing developments being built. Mineral extraction also ceased in the 1970s. The gravel pits and surrounding area were designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The site was identified in the 'Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan' for development into a country park, with the partnership of Berkeley Homes. [2]

Entrance to Leybourne Lakes near the Berkeley Homes estate Entrance to Leybourne Lakes Country Park - geograph.org.uk - 1084361.jpg
Entrance to Leybourne Lakes near the Berkeley Homes estate

The housing development of 'The Lakes in Leybourne' by Berkeley Homes [3] [4] (seen in the photos), was created beside one of the disused gravel pits that had been turned into man-made lakes. The decision to build on this area was unpopular with some Larkfield residents, but the remaining lakes were turned into a country park and nature reserve to offset the impact of this new housing. The lakes and reserve were later handed over to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in 2004 and since November 2021 have been managed by Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust (trading as 'tmactive'). [2] They are the current owners and maintain the lakes and paths.

Facilities

Leybourne Lakes Sunset Sunrise over a lake near Leybourne - geograph.org.uk - 19403.jpg
Leybourne Lakes Sunset

The 93 hectares (230 acres) [5] of lakes now provide a peaceful location for wildlife and birdwatching, [3] whilst also allowing watersports enthusiasts the opportunity to windsurf, canoe and kayak in the man-made lakes. [6] [7] Diving also takes place in one of the lakes. [8] Around the lakes are a series of woods and gentle trails, popular with dogwalkers and recreational walkers.

A small charge is payable for use of car parking, situated close to the visitor centre which has a cafe.

Lakes in the north and west of the park are also used for angling by private fishing clubs. [9]

Leybourne Lakes is home to Malling parkrun, which takes place every Saturday morning at 9am, incorporating two laps of the main lake. (https://www.parkrun.org.uk/malling/). The inaugural event was on October 3rd 2015.

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References

  1. ↑ "Snodland Community Trail Guide" (PDF). kentdowns.org.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "LeybourneReport". Kentos.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Home of the Mortar Industry Association". Mortar.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Leybourne lakes - Trovit Homes". Trovit. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Leybourne Lakes Country Park". www.keepbritaintidy.org. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009.
  6. ↑ Paul Monck. "Welcome to Leybourne Lake Water Sports 2010". Leybournelakewatersports.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Team Outrageous". Team Outrageous. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Scuba Solutions". Scuba Solutions. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "Fishing at Leybourne Lakes". tmactive.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
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