Betteshanger Country Park near Deal will reopen on June 1 as more Kent attractions prepare to welcome back visitors

by Charlie Harman

A country park popular with families will reopen on Monday.

Betteshanger Country Park, with its vast walking and cycling routes, is joining a growing list of Kent visitor spots opening or preparing to reopen as the government's lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.

Betteshanger Country Park is opening its front gates again after being closed for more than two months

In a statement published on social media, the park's management said: "We are pleased to announce that Betteshanger Country Park will re-open Monday 1st June, 9am following the changes to the government’s coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions that allows the public to make more of the outdoors."

The park is the latest outdoor space to announce plans to reopen since the coronavirus outbreak forced the closure of many attractions, parks and gardens across the county back in March.

Bewl Water in Lamberhurst, Oare Gunpowder Works in Faversham and Hole Park Gardens near Tenterden have also all reopened their gates in the last two weeks.

Wingham Wildlife Park says it has been exploring options for reopening

Wingham Wildlife Park announced it too was exploring the possibility of reopening to visitors with one-way systems, limited visitor numbers and timed entry slots all amongst the options the popular attraction was exploring to allow it to welcome families whilst keeping staff and visitors safe and meeting all government guidelines on social distancing. Read more about its plans here.

The National Trust has also reopened its car park at the White Cliffs of Dover site, a popular choice with walkers, whilst the car park at Bedgebury Pinetum has also been reopened to allow for additional visitors arriving by car and not on foot. Further details about its opening times can be found on its facebook page.

Re-opening Betteshanger, between Sandwich and Deal, will come with a number of restrictions for visitors in order to meet current social distancing requirements and to help ensure there is no spread of any infection.

The popular cycling spot is reopening on Monday

"For now, toilets and play areas remain closed. Hand sanitiser stations are available and will be regularly checked. Our cafe will be open for light refreshments" the message continues.

"Welcoming you back to enjoy our open spaces, the emerging flora and fauna and fresh air is a first tentative step to support the residents of Kent safely emerge from the lockdown.
"We know how important it is for people’s physical and mental wellbeing to be able to have access to green spaces, and if we all work together we can keep the park open and enjoy the beautiful landscape that it offers."

The park is a great place for kids and adults to explore and interact with nature

On-site bike hire will not be available upon the site's relaunch, and all dog walkers are asked to keep their pets on their leads. The post also asks motorists to purchase a parking ticket or pay via the app in order to support the country park financially.

A former colliery spoil tip, the site launched as Fowlmead before being purchased and renamed by the Hadlow Group back in May 2015.

Having undergone extensive work to transform it into a cycle and walk venue, Betteshanger Country Park often appears in lists of the county's best spots for nature strolls.

Fore more suggestions of things to do with the family visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk