Streams in Kent for children

[Jonah]

Hello, what a lovely site, I hope I get plenty of time to have a good look around, though with the school holidays, I doubt it at the moment!

I'm a mum of three quite yound children, and have this vision of taking them to a lovely idyllic stream with their fishing nets, and basically having a bit of fun exploring in the shallows and looking at the wildlife. I've been pointed to either Eynesford or Shoreham, Five Arches in Bexley, and possibly River loose in Maidstone. But I would very much like to find a definite location around the Medway/ Maidstone area. I've tried a few of the Council/ Local Authority routes, but not had much luck.
If anyone is familiar with this area of Kent, and could help, I would be extremely grateful.
Many thanks.

[naturegirl]

Hi Jonah and a very warm welcome to WAB!

I can only relate to a place that I used to go as a child and that is The Ford in south Ashford in Kent. We used to find Bullheads and 3 spined Sticklebacks there as well as Caddis fly larvae and God knows what else!

I'm sure it is still there!

The other place to go is The Kent Wildlife Trust's Tyland Barn at Maidstone where they have pond dipping and all sorts!

Maidstone museum is also a great place to visit, not stuffy at all!

Hope this is of help!

Naturegirl

[Jonah]

Thank you for the welcome and the info Naturegirl.

It's funny, I've lived here for a few years now, and still haven't got round to visiting the museum or Tyland Barn! I think hubby and I need to get the children in the car and explore a bit more. He spends a lot of time working Ashford way, so I will get him to do his own exploring before we head that way.

Thanks very much for your reply.

I'm not sure quite whether this is for my benefit or the childrens though lol!

[Newhythebirder]

Hi Jonah,

A great dipping platform on my patch at Leybourne Lakes CP (see my blog link below) I have taken my 3 young children (all under 6) there nd they love dipping for all sorts - great fun (for me!!)

Give me a shout if you want more detailed location info

Steve

[Kayleigh]

Hi Jonah and welcome to WAB

[Jonah]

Sorry for not replying sooner, I've had a few connection problems!
Thanks all for the warm welcome.

Steve, I had a look at your pictures, they're really good! I'll have to have a good read of your blog later. I took a look at the Leybourne lakes website, so we will hopefully head over there next week, it's only about 20 minutes in the car.

I think I might have to put the fishing nets in the boot, just so I'm prepared on our wanders!

[pressld2]

Hi Jonah,

Another warm welcome from me. There are a lot of members in Kent but always good to have more!

I'm afraid I can't help much with the Medway/Maidstone area, but I can endorse the recommendations for Eynsford and Five Arches.

Five Arches (Footscray Meadows) is about five miles from me and I visit it fairly regularly. Upstream from the bridge the water is quite deep and there is a lot of birdlife there - swans, several species of duck, lots of black-headed gulls, coots, moorhens and kingfishers. I've seen grey heron and little egret there too. Downstream from the bridge the water is much shallower and a five-year-old with knee-length wellies should be fine. The bank is a couple of feet high but there are several places where it drops so you can walk in or out without climbing. The river runs through trees here and there are blackbirds, robins, grey wagtails and ring-necked parakeets in the woods. It's also a good place for fungi forays in the autumn. I'll try and post a few pics tonight.

Eynsford is where I took my boys with their nets when they were younger and they loved it!

Dave P.

[pressld2]

As promised, here are a few images from Footscray Meadows:

Five Arches bridge seen from upstream...



...and from downstream...



Some views of the River Cray, all taken just below Five Arches Bridge...



I was standing in the river for that last one and the water came about halfway up my wellies - maybe 8 inches, certainly no more than 10.

I was standing in the river for this one too but the water is a little deeper immediately under the bridge as the waterfall digs it's own trench...



Dave P.

[Jonah]

OMG Dave P, those views of the River Cray look absolutely perfect. I want to be there now! I think that is a good one to do when we visit my folks as they are in Locksbottom. We'll have to pop to Keston ponds too!

Don't suppose you'd let me use one of those pics on my desktop til I get there myself would you? They are beautiful. It would certainly get the children interested if it was staring them in the face. My 7 year old son is especially keen. Everytime we go out he wants to take his net!

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Jonah

OMG Dave P, those views of the River Cray look absolutely perfect.

Stop it - I'm blushing!

Originally Posted by Jonah

Don't suppose you'd let me use one of those pics on my desktop til I get there myself would you?

LOL! Of course! Either help yourself from the Gallery or PM me with your screen resolution and an email address and I'll send you a copy at the right size.

Dave P.