Haysden Country Park
| Haysden Country Park | |
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Barden Lake in Haysden Country Park
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| Coordinates | 51°11′31″N 0°14′51″E / 51.1919°N 0.2475°ECoordinates: 51°11′31″N 0°14′51″E / 51.1919°N 0.2475°E |
| Area | 64 hectares (160 acres (650,000 m2)) |
| Created | 1988 |
| Operated by | Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |
| Open | 7 days a week, dawn until dusk |
| Website | Haysden Country Park |
Haysden Country Park is a country park on the outskirts of Tonbridge, Kent, in south-east England.
The park comprises 64 hectares (160 acres) of countryside to the west of Tonbridge. The park has two lakes, Barden Lake and Haysden Water, and has a stretch of the River Medway running through it, with various branches and streams. Consequently there are a large number of bridges, many of which are named. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including waterfowl, wild flowers, and insect life. It is designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, and as of October 27, 2008 it has been designated a Local Nature Reserve.
The A21 passes on a viaduct near Haysden Water. Immediately to the east of this viaduct, and roughly parallel to it, is the Medway flood barrier. The railway line from Tonbridge towards Redhill, Surrey also passes through the park.
The park was opened as a Country Park in 1988, but the land had been partly owned by the Tonbridge Council and had been used by the public long before then. It is still managed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.
Leading off the River Medway is the Straight Mile, which was dug in 1830. James Christie intended this to be a canal leading to Tonbridge Water Mill, but it was never filled with water. The Stone Lock, built in 1829 (also by James Christie) at Haysden, remains largely intact. It leads towards Haysden Water (and continues on the other side of Haysden Water, outside the park). The lock was intended for transferring barges between the level of the Straight Mile and the higher level of the River Medway.
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