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Lullingstone Country Park and Preston Hill

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Lullingstone Country Park and Preston Hill

Kingfisher Bridge
Castle Road
Eynsford
DA4 0JF

Opening times:
9am to dusk or 9pm. Whichever is earlier.

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Managed by:
Kent County Council

Grassland in the park bursts into colour and is at its best around mid June as an amazing array of wildflowers bloom. Oxeye daisies, birdsfoot trefoil, yellow rattle, field scabious, pyramidal and fragrant orchids are just some of the flowers you can enjoy. If you look across the valley there are spectacular views to the neighbouring fields of lavender at the beginning of July.

On a warm sunny day you may be lucky enough to spot a grass snake or common lizard in the grass. In the open areas the skylarks can often be seen climbing and hovering making a loud chattering noise song as they go.
Why not enjoy one of the many events at Lullingstone Country Park over the Summer;
  • Lavender Tour
    Tuesday 14 July 10:30 - 14:00 £25
    Escorted walk to the Hop Shop for a tour of the lavender fields and drying barns, followed by morning tea. Return to the Visitor Centre for Kentish lunch. Booking required.
  • Family Orienteering
    Thursday 23 July 11:00 - 14:00 £1 per pack Drop in and try your hand at this fun sport. The fastest family of the day will win a prize. No booking required.
  • Mini Explorers
    Friday 24 & 31 July 10:30 - 12:00 £5
    Club for ages 3-7 years, combining activities in the park with arts and crafts. Booking required.
  • Minibeast Safari Tues day 4 August 11:00 - 12:00 / 12:30 - 13:30 / 14:00 - 15:00 £2
    Explore the park looking for small creatures. For ages 5-12 years. Booking required.
  • Pondworld Thursday 6 August 11:00 - 12:00 / 12:30 - 13:30 / 14:00 - 15:00 £2
    Investigate the underwater world of our pond. For ages 5-12 years. Booking required
  • Mini Explorers
    Friday 7 & 14 August 10:30 - 12:00 £5
    Club for ages 3-7 years, combining activities in the park with arts and crafts. Booking required.
  • Lets Go Batty
    Thursday 13 August 20:00 - 22:00 £6.50
    An evening searching for these elusive creatures. Bring a torch. Booking required.
  • Lullingstone Castle Tour with Tom Hart-Dyke
    Thursday 20 August 10:15 - 15:00 £30
    Enjoy a guided walk to Lullingstone Gatehouse to meet with Hart-Dyke family for a tour of the house and World Gardens. Return to the Visitor Centre for a Kentish lunch. Booking required.
To book for events please call 01322 865 995

Directions

From the A225 Eynsford to Otford (Shoreham Road), Lullingstone Park is well signposted to the right, immediately beyond the entrance to Lullingstone Castle.

Access to Preston Hill is best from Lullingstone Park, which has car parking facilities.

Parking
A pay and display car park operates in Lullingstone and Preston Hill Country Park throughout the year, seven days a week. Charges are Monday - Friday £1.20, weekends and Bank holidays £1.70

Enjoy unlimited parking with our Country Parks Season Ticket and for the first year you can also take advantage of our discount vouchers only available for Season Ticket holders. The Season Ticket costs £30 is available by calling 08458 247 600. Read more about the Country Parks Season Ticket.

All the income generated from the Season Tickets/car parking charges is used in the management of the Country Parks to improve the environment for the wildlife and improve facilities for visitors.


A view in Lullingstone Country Park

Lullingstone Country Park is set in the Darent Valley, between Eynsford and Shoreham, and has wonderful open grassland that fills with wildflowers in Spring.


Lullingstone is internationally important for its collection of ancient trees, with over 300 veteran oak, beech, hornbeam, ash and sweet chestnut, some of which are thought to be 800 years old. The park also has many areas of chalk grassland that are filled with spectacular displays of orchids and other colourful Wild flowers in summer.


The visitor centre offers excellent facilities including a café, toilets and shop. It has a comprehensive range of information about the park's landscape, wildlife and heritage.


In addition to this, a fully equipped education centre enables groups of all ages, from primary schools to adult art and conservation groups, to learn about all aspects of the countryside.


For those wishing to venture into the wider countryside, an excellent guide is available for a 6.5 mile circular walk from the visitor centre, passing through the nearby village of Shoreham. The route is within a few hundred metres of Shoreham railway station, on the line from London Blackfriars to Sevenoaks; so visitors can enjoy a traffic free day in the countryside.


The Darent Valley Path runs past the park, offering more opportunities to explore the local countryside.


Preston Hill

This Site of Special Scientific Interest is open to the public subject to certain restrictions.


In the summer months Preston Hill is covered with wild flowers. A variety of butterflies including chalkhill blues and dark green fritillaries can also be seen on the chalk grassland.


The grassland is managed by grazing the park's own herd of feral goats, which came from the Great Orme, near Colwyn Bay in North Wales.


Take a look at our ideas for great days out in Lullingstone.

  • The nearest train station is Shoreham or Eynsford (2.5 miles).


Facilities and Other Information

cycling allowed Cycling allowed

riding allowed Riding allowed

parking Parking

toilets Toilets

toilets Disabled toilets

toilets Disabled parking

refreshments Refreshments

events programme Events programme

public transport Public transport

view points View points

visitor centre Visitor centre

Copyright Kent County Council 2009