White Horse Wood Country Park
Detling, Mid Kent
Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kent County Council's newest country park, high on the North Downs above Maidstone, with sweeping views over mid Kent. Walks pass the medieval ruins of Thurnham Castle, the remains of an Iron Age settlement and sculptures made to remember ash trees lost to dieback.
Highlights
- Ruins of 12th-century Thurnham Castle
- Panoramic views from the easy access route
- Links to the North Downs Way
- Over 20,000 newly planted trees
Good to know
- No visitor facilities such as toilets or a café
- No access through Detling or Thurnham villages
- Dogs welcome
Getting there
White Horse Wood Country Park, Detling Hill, Kent, ME14 3JEParking: Pay and display, reached only from the southbound A249 at Detling Hill.
Get directionsChecked on 16 October 2026 against kent.gov.uk, kent.gov.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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Nearby
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Vinters Valley Nature Reserve
Vinters Valley is a 90 acre community-run nature reserve on the former grounds of an 18th-century estate between Vinters Park and Grove Green in Maidstone. Paths wind through woodland, grassland, marsh and along a stream to a lake with ducks and geese, and the easy Bluetit Trail takes about 20 minutes. Drop in for a short stroll or spend a couple of hours watching the wildlife.
Image: Mote ParkMote Park
Mote Park is one of the largest parks in the South East, a sweep of parkland, woodland and lake on the edge of Maidstone. There are three children's play areas plus a natural woodland play area, a skate park and BMX track, an adventure zone and a watersports centre, with a cafe for breaks. It is free and easily fills an afternoon.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0Stoneacre
A half-timbered yeoman's house built in the 15th century, a textbook Wealden hall-house with its great hall and solar. Around it are a colourful front garden, a wilder orchard behind and woodland walks across the Otham valley. It is a quiet, small-scale visit for anyone interested in medieval homes and Arts and Crafts gardens.