Introduction
Manor Park is an 18th-century estate landscaped by Thomas Douce. Since 1976 the estate has been open as a public park and is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. Features include a large lake which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, mature trees and the remains of an ice house.
Douces Manor lends its distant presence to the park but is separately owned. The landscaping and the lake speak the language of an 18th-century estate, without a retreat into romanticism.
This is a country park in the modern idiom, with paths for walkers and the conservation ethic to the fore in the provision and maintenance of wildlife habitats. It is a pleasant place for picnics, for children to play and for the start of walks beyond the boundaries.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
0300 041 4747Access contact details
This is a municipal site for general public use.
For more information visit the Kent County Council website.
Owners
Kent County Council
County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ
- History
20th Century
Manor Park Country Park, West Malling, was opened to the public in 1976. It is owned and managed by Kent County Council.
21st Century
The park is part of the Fields in Trust historic protection programme and has been protected since October 2013 under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields protection type.
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Features
- Lake
- Icehouse
- Manor House (featured building)
- Description: Douces Manor
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Recreational/sport
Principal Building
Parks, Gardens And Urban Spaces
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Extant
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
West Malling
- References
References
- Kent Gardens Trust {A Presentation of Parks: A survey of amenity parks and gardens in Kent} (Kent Gardens Trust) 28 A Presentation of Parks: A survey of amenity parks and gardens in Kent