Conningbrook Lakes Country Park

Conningbrook Lakes is made up of a series of lakes, ponds, river, wet woodland and grasslands – creating a great place for a riverside stroll, and host to a variety of wildlife.

Location

Julie Rose Stadium car park,
Willesborough Road
Ashford
Kent
TN24 9QX

OS Map Reference

TR028436

What3Words:
finely.face.quiet
A static map of Conningbrook Lakes Country Park

Know before you go

Size
34 hectares
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Entry fee

None
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Parking information

There is a flat tarmac car park at the Julie Rose Stadium. Disabled access is via the new access road as there are two disabled parking bays right up at the lake (What3Words: ///shells.mats.noon).

Bicycle parking

Parking provided in front of the Julie Rose Stadium entrance.

Grazing animals

Sheep and cattle anytime of the year.

Walking trails

There is currently no circular walk around the site. Allow 2 hours to reach the furthest end of the reserve and get back to the car park. Alternatively, you can continue your walk by crossing the railway line and walking back down the road from the Conningbrook Hotel Pub. A new bridge joins with footpaths heading towards Wye, and there are good pedestrian links to central Ashford. The paths around the country park do become wet and muddy over winter, so walking boots or wellies are advised over this period.

Access

Disabled access is via the new access road as there are two disabled parking bays right up at the lake (What3Words: ///shells.mats.noon).

Wheelchair accessible Tarmac path with downward slope from main car park. Flat, grass paths around the remainder of the site – which become muddy in the winter. Wooden pedestrian gates between compartments. Picnic benches at beginning of walk, and log benches around the lakes.

Dogs

On a lead

Dogs must be on lead at all times on site. This is to protect our wildlife and livestock and to create a safe environment for all to walk and enjoy.

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Facilities

Toilets
Picnic area
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Electric car charging point

When to visit

Opening times

Walking access all year round. Volunteer work parties take place at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays undertaking habitat management. Be aware that essential management can sometimes be noisy and if you are concerned it may disturb your visit consider visiting on a different day. If you would like to get involved, please visit our volunteering page.

Best time to visit

October - November for overwintering birds. June - for dragonflies.

About the reserve

This former gravel and sand extraction pit has been transformed into a series of three lakes – the Main lake, Eco lake and Northern lake. These lakes are encompassed by wet woodland, ponds, reedbeds and grasslands. Kent Wildlife Trust are managing over half of the site on behalf of Ashford Borough Council (ABC); with Ashford Leisure Trust (ALT) and Mid Kent Fisheries also working in partnership. The reserve has great views and footpaths to the Wye Downs, and good access links from Ashford – a gateway to the Stour Valley.

The reserve is rich in birdlife on and around the lakes. Take a frosty morning walk in the winter months to see the migratory wildfowl and wetland birds, including species such as shoveller, wigeon, tufted duck and Gadwall. In the spring, catch the migrating warbler species and breeding birds around the lake edges, and hear the skylarks singing in the skies over the summer. Look out for the kingfishers zipping across the surface of the lakes and along the river profile.

Conningbrook offers a large array of butterfly and dragonfly species in the summer months, keep your eyes peeled for weasels darting across the paths, and grass snakes bathing in the sunshine.

Whether it be a brisk walk, a gentle stroll, a wildlife watch area, or to pitch up on one of the picnic tables for an alfresco picnic – Conningbrook has something to offer all.

For more details visit the park's profile on Ashford Borough Council's website.

Contact us

Ian Rickards
Contact number: 01622 662012

Environmental designation

Local Wildlife Site (LWS)