This is a great choice for a few hours in the fresh air, in beautiful autumnal scenery, with a large adventure playground and endless acres where the children can charge around.
A magical waterfall that seems to have been plucked straight from a fairy tale can be found in a park in Kent. The park, perfect for family outings, also boasts a reasonably priced cafe, ensuring your visit won’t break the bank.
For those seeking a few hours of fresh air amidst stunning autumnal scenery, Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells is an excellent choice. It features a large adventure playground and vast acres for children to run around, along with more formal gardens, sprawling meadows, a lake, and a network of paths that guide you through this picturesque location.
Dog owners will appreciate the expansive top field where dogs can roam freely, while the rest of the park welcomes leashed pets. Dunorlan Park consistently wins the Green Flag award, marking it as one of the country’s best parks.
Elderly relatives can enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake on flat terrain. One of the park’s standout features is its well-maintained paths, making it accessible for everyone – whether you’re pushing a buggy, using a wheelchair, or riding a mobility scooter.
The park’s crowning glory is a spectacular man-made waterfall known as ‘the cascade’, built in the 19th century. This feature was part of the garden of a grand house, now no longer standing, designed in the 1850s and 1860s by the esteemed Victorian gardener, Robert Marnock, reports Kent Live.
The garden is a prime example of Marnock’s work, having undergone a significant £2.8 million restoration two decades ago, largely funded by the Lottery.
The cascade, nestled between the main lake and the water garden near a stunning fountain, has remained largely unchanged since its creation. Crafted from Pulhamite and sandstone to mimic a natural outcrop, the waterfall isn’t always in flow – it’s a matter of luck.
A fun activity for kids involves spotting herons, so still you might miss them, and terrapins in the lake or water garden – despite not being native to the area, they’ve been introduced by the public.
Dunorlan was originally the private grounds of a grand mansion owned by Yorkshire-born millionaire Henry Reed, who amassed his wealth in Tasmania. The cafe, reminiscent of a ski chalet and perched on the slope leading down to the lake, is hard to miss with its suntrap terrace.
Offering tea, coffee, snacks, sandwiches, hot food like jacket potatoes, and ice creams, the cafe operates seven days a week from 9am-5pm. Its cooked breakfasts have become legendary, and families appreciate the reasonable pricing.
The park is the perfect spot to feed the friendly ducks, geese and moorhens. Visitors are kindly requested to refrain from feeding them bread, but can purchase suitable feed from the cafe.
This park is a ‘true’ gem, boasting open fields perfect for flying kites, kicking a ball around or enjoying a summer picnic. It also features an outdoor gym, beautifully maintained gardens with stunning flower beds, and a plethora of magnificent trees including an ancient Yew.
The park’s cafe provides toilet facilities, with an additional separate toilet block that includes a disabled toilet. The natural adventure play area, located in the lower part of the park, features the ‘Dunorlan Dragon’ and chimes.
History enthusiasts will appreciate the beautiful Victoria Cross Grove near the Bayhall Road entrance. This commemorative grove of trees, complete with a circular bench, honours the 10 recipients of the Victoria Cross connected to the borough.
During the summer months, Dunorlan Park Boats offers rowing boats, canoes and pedalos for hire on the lake. The season runs from April until the end of September, with opening times varying outside of school holidays.
For those up for a short but steep walk, the avenue lined with 48 cedars offers a tranquil escape. At the bottom lies a stunning water fountain and the Grecian Temple housing the ‘Dancing Girl’ statue.
Is Dunorlan Park dog-friendly?
Dog lovers can bring their furry friends to the park, but they must be kept on a lead in the formal park area. However, in the ‘countryside’ fields and the open events field, dogs can roam free.
There are plenty of bag dispensers for cleaning up after your pet.
The park is owned and managed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, with the active Friends of Dunorlan Park assisting in its maintenance and enjoyment.
How to get there and where to park
Dunorlan Park is located on the A264 and is just a 15-minute walk from the centre of Tunbridge Wells. You can plan your journey to the park using public transport via Traveline.
Parking is available at the Pembury Road A264 and Hall’s Hole Road entrances, with spaces designated for Blue Badge holders at each entrance. However, it can get crowded when the weather is nice. The postcode for the main entrance on Pembury Road is TN2 3QA.
Parking charges were introduced exactly one year ago. Prices start at £1 for one hour in the Pembury Road car park and Halls Hole Road car park between 8am and 6pm every day, including bank holidays.
Payment can be made by card at the machines or by phone using the RingGo app. Cash payments are not accepted.
