Riverside Country Park

Discovered this fab country park by the River Medway in Gillingham last year with the help of some friends!

The main focus for the kids is the large adventure playground located just behind the visitor centre. With plenty of slides, swings and climbing frames to keep them busy. We particularly like the sunken pirate ship. As usual I can always trust my kids to go a bit off piste, they had lots of fun rolling down a little artificial hill on the playground rather than using the purpose built slide and why not?!?

I particularly like the layout of this play park with various sections for little and bigger ones. The whole area is mostly visible from the picnic benches so you can keep an eye on the bigger ones at a distance! Or spot a run away toddler pretty quickly, and only a couple of exit gates which always helps.

Like all the best play parks there is a cafe serving the usual drinks, snacks and Ice cream. There are also good toilet facilities  including baby change and disabled, located at the front of the visitor centre.

If you can drag yourself away from the play park take a walk along the accessible paths opposite the visitor centre. We had great fun with the erm,  sound tube thingy on the way...

With views over the Medway there is plenty of wildlife to spot on the mudflats and marshes. With the little ones just go for a little wonder or take a pushchair but its easier with alterrain wheels on the substrate paths. For a short circular walk approx 45 minutes take the path out on to the peninsula out to Horrid Hill, the path loops around and takes you back the way you came. Click here for the route Horrid Hill Walk For the bigger ones and teens take a stomp up river along the path or get on those bikes. It's also a good place to walk the dog.

There is a large pond which is good for a spot of pond dipping. They run bug hunt sessions in the school holidays for a small charge but make sure you book in advance. They also run beginners bird watching, and Art & craft activities, check out the website for details Riverside Country Park Events

The car park is free and a reasonable size although it can get rather full in the school holidays. 

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Bikes
Time: 2-4 hrs