Tyland Barn Visitor Centre and Nature Park

Tyland Barn is the headquarters of the Kent Wildlife Trust. The restored 17th century barn, houses a large exhibition on wildlife and conservation. At various times of year the barn is home to bees, tadpoles and nesting birds.

Location

Sandling
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 3BD

Maidstone

Kent

ME14 3BD

OS Map Reference

TQ 754593

Know before you go

Parking information

Parking available on site

Bicycle parking

Bicycle parking available on site

Grazing animals

Walking trails

Disabled access to the barn and nature park (with its short nature trail) is very good.

Access

Wheelchair accessible. All surface path around wildlife garden. Pond with an accessible platform.

Read our accessibility information

Dogs

Guide dogs only

Facilities

Visitor centre

Bird hides

Toilets

Shop

Cafe/refreshments

Picnic area

Disabled toilet

Baby changing facilities

Outdoor play area

Wifi

When to visit

Opening times

1st August - 31st October:
Visitor Centre and Cafe are open Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm
Nature Park open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays)

1st November - 22nd December:
Visitor Center and Cafe are open Wed - Sun, 11am - 4pm
Nature Park open Mon - Sun 11am - 4pm

23rd December - 14th February:
Visitor Centre CLOSED
Nature Park Weekdays 11am - 4pm

Best time to visit

March to December

About the reserve

We have some fantastic events at Tyland Barn this year. From workshops and discovery days, to family fun.

See Events at Tyland Barn

The Nature Park at Tyland Barn is a fantastic and easy way to experience the wonders of our Kentish countryside. The park was created to be a little Kent and now has woodlands, colourful wildflower meadows and a large pond full of life. Wander along the wheelchair and buggy accessible paths and you might spot spectacular orchids, stag beetles in the log piles or dragonfly flitting over the reeds.

The Tyland Barn cafe offers a range of sandwiches, pizzas, baked potatoes and delicious homemade soup. In addition we serve fresh coffee accompanied with some fantastic locally made vegan cakes. The Café seating area provides a relaxing and tranquil place for your refreshments surrounded by a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. The planting in this area of Tyland Barn has recently been redesigned and will become a contemporary, colourful and inspirational example of how we can all help wildlife in our gardens.

As the seasons change, there is always something new to discover in the park. There are lifting logs and warm compost heaps to look through for bugs even in the darkest of months and come the summer, the bug hotels buzz with solitary bees. The Nature Park at Tyland Barn is a lovely place to visit with the family or to learn more about the huge variety of Kent’s wildlife.

Discover more about the Tyland Barn Nature Park and Gardens on a free tour with our Wildlife Habitats Officer.

More About Tyland Barn Tours