Conningbrook Lakes Country Park

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

Opening hours: walking access all year round.
Best times to visit: October - November for overwintering birds. June for dragonflies.

  • Accessible toilet

  • Baby changing facilities

  • Dog walking

  • Electric car charging point

  • Picnic area

  • Toilets

Size: 34 hectares.

Parking information: There is a flat tarmac car park at the Julie Rose Stadium. Closer parking is available (without facilities) at ///liner.even.pops

Bicycle parking: Parking provided in front of the Julie Rose Stadium entrance. 

Walking trails: There is a circular walk, bringing you back through the Conningbrook housing estate. The paths around the country park do become wet and muddy over winter, so walking boots or wellies are advised over this period.

Grazing animals: We graze with cattle at various times of the year.

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

There is a wheelchair-accessible tarmac path with a downward slope from the main car park. Flat, grass paths exist around the remainder of the site – which become muddy in the winter. There are wooden pedestrian gates between compartments. There are picnic benches at beginning of walk and log benches around the lakes.

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); Freedom Leisure Trust (FLT) and Mid Kent Fisheries are 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 basking 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 here.

Volunteering

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

Contact Us

If you need to get in touch regarding Conningbrook Lakes Country Park, for any reason, please contact:

Ian Rickards
Contact number: 01622 662012
Contact email: [email protected] 

Environmental designation

  • Local Wildlife Site (LWS)