Glade
← Back🌱 Urban park

Charlton Park

118 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome118 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦66+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blue Tit and Great Tit
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin +63 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin +63 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Hairy Shieldbug, Green Shieldbug +151 more · last seen 2026; Semi-improved grassland — butterflies and wildflowers

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Common Knapweed, Red Fescue, Crested Dog's-tail +24 more · last seen 2023

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Heritage

Grade II* listed building: CHARLTON PARK

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby · 11 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Elham Valley WayWalking route
Named routeListed length 40kmRegional walking route
Miner's Way TrailWalking route43.5 km
Named routeLength 43.5 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Via Francigena - 01 part Great BritainWalking route
Named routeRef VFInternational walking route
North Downs Way (Canterbury loop)Walking route
Named routeNational walking route
Canterbury Outer Ring WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Park Lanepublic footpath · 197 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 197 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

42 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN Regional Route 17 (Kent)Cycling route
Named routeRef 17Regional cycle route
NCN Regional Route 16Cycling route
Named routeRef 16Regional cycle route
EuroVelo 5 - Via Romea Francigena - part United KingdomCycling route
Named routeRef EV5International cycle route
N/ACycling route283 m
Named routeRef 17Length 283 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route460 m
Named routeRef 16Length 460 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route182 m
Named routeRef 17Length 182 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

9 public paths nearby

Public paths
North Downs Waybridleway · 1.1 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 1.1 kmSurface compactedPath type: bridleway
North Downs Waybridleway · 550 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 550 mSurface grassPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

A flooded Nail Bourne in Charlton Park seen from the Elham Valley Way

A flooded Nail Bourne in Charlton Park seen from the Elham Valley Way

1 / 21