Leybourne Lakes Country Park

Award-Winning Country Park & Premier Watersports Destination

Leybourne Lakes Country Park stands as one of Kent’s most celebrated outdoor destinations, transforming former gravel pits into a stunning 230-acre haven for families, watersports enthusiasts, and nature lovers. This Green Flag Award-winning country park, established in 2004, combines the tranquil beauty of multiple lakes with comprehensive watersports facilities on the spectacular 30-acre Ocean Lake. Located just minutes from Junction 4 of the M20 near West Malling, this Local Wildlife Site offers year-round adventures from professional open water swimming and SUP yoga to peaceful family walks and world-class fishing on the famous Larkfield Complex.

Professional Watersports Centre Excellence

Leybourne Lakes Watersports Centre, established since 1991, provides professional instruction and equipment hire across the pristine 30-acre Ocean Lake. The centre’s friendly team delivers comprehensive programs including open water swimming with mandatory induction sessions, stand-up paddleboarding with Red Paddle Co. boards, kayaking adventures, windsurfing instruction, and PADI scuba diving courses. The peaceful freshwater environment, free from powered vessels, creates ideal conditions for learning and progression with marked buoy courses enabling flexible training routes and distance monitoring.

Open Water Swimming & Wellness Programs

• Professional Induction: Mandatory 45-minute session with specialist coaches covering cold water safety and lake-specific protocols
• Flexible Training: Swim anywhere in the lake with marked 400m circuits and various distance options
• Year-Round Access: Clear freshwater conditions suitable for training and recreational swimming
• Safety Standards: Professional supervision with safety boat coverage and first aid qualified staff
• Equipment Support: Wetsuit hire available with advice on cold water swimming techniques

Family Adventure & Nature Discovery

The country park excels at family entertainment with adventure trails, children’s play areas, and the popular 1.8-mile Stile Free Trail offering wheelchair and buggy-friendly access to stunning lakeside views. Wildlife enthusiasts discover diverse habitats including wildflower meadows, wetlands, hedgerows, and scrub areas supporting hundreds of species. The exciting events calendar features pond dipping, bat walks, Easter trails, wildlife activity days, and guided nightingale walks, while the park serves as home to the popular Malling Parkrun every Saturday morning.

SUP Yoga & Specialized Programs

Experience the unique combination of yoga and paddleboarding with qualified instructors offering SUP Yoga sessions on the tranquil waters of Ocean Lake. The centre provides specialised programs including the Paddlepower scheme for young paddlers, offering progressive development from ‘Paddlepower Start’ through advanced skills building. Whether you’re a keen yogi, SUP expert, or complete beginner, the professional coaching team ensures safe, enjoyable experiences with all equipment provided and expert guidance throughout each session.

World-Class Fishing & Angling Heritage

The historic Larkfield Complex represents one of Kent’s most prestigious fishing destinations, attracting anglers nationwide since the 1960s. This four-lake system within the country park offers exceptional fishing for carp, pike, and tench with SWS Fisheries managing the complex to maintain its reputation for hosting world-class angling opportunities. The peaceful lakeside settings provide perfect environments for both competitive and recreational fishing with well-maintained facilities and expert local knowledge available.

Complete Kent Countryside Experience

Explore the magnificent Leeds Castle, known as the “Loveliest Castle in the World,” just minutes away. Discover historic West Malling with its Norman tower and Georgian architecture. Visit the beautiful Maidstone Millennium River Park following the River Medway through historic landscapes. Experience the charm of Aylesford with its medieval bridge and priory. Explore the fascinating Kit’s Coty ancient monument and surrounding downlands. Discover family adventures at Cobtree Manor Park. Complete your Kent experience with visits to Rochester Castle and the historic Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Refuel Cafe & Visitor Amenities

Year-Round Dining: The lakeside Refuel Cafe operates 364 days annually with indoor/outdoor seating, disabled access, and glorious Ocean Lake views from 9am-4pm (winter) and 9am-6pm (summer).

Family Facilities: Children’s play area, baby changing facilities, dog wash station, and extensive free parking with disabled access throughout.

Conservation Opportunities: Volunteer Conservation Group welcoming visitors to participate in habitat management and environmental education programs.

Accessibility Excellence: Wheelchair-friendly hard-surfaced paths, disabled parking, accessible toilets, and comprehensive facilities for visitors with mobility requirements.

Additional Information

• Total Area: 230 acres (93 hectares) of diverse habitats and recreational facilities
• Established: 2004 following transformation from disused gravel pits
• Ocean Lake: 30-acre main watersports lake with marked training circuits
• Management: tmactive (Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust) since November 2021
• Accreditation: Green Flag Award winner 15+ years, Natural England Country Parks accreditation
• Wildlife Designation: Local Wildlife Site (2008) and Area of Local Landscape Importance
• Watersports Centre: Professional operation since 1991 with qualified instructors
• Activities: SUP, kayaking, windsurfing, open water swimming, scuba diving, SUP yoga
• Fishing: Larkfield Complex – four lakes managed by SWS Fisheries
• Events: Malling Parkrun (Saturdays 9am), Ocean Lake Triathlon Club
• Trails: 1.8-mile Stile Free Trail plus multiple walking routes
• Parking: Pay and display (card only) with free watersports participant parking
• Seasons: Watersports May-September extended hours, October-April weekend operation
• Location: Minutes from M20 Junction 4, excellent accessibility from London and Southeast