Betteshanger Park is open from 8am – 5pm.

Cycle Hire / Bike Tracks
Open from 9am-3.30pm Wednesday-Sunday and everyday throughout school holidays.

Lamp Room Café
Open Wednesday – Sunday 9am – 4pm and open 7 days a week throughout the school holidays and bank holidays.

Closures
From time to time areas of the Park, including our tarmac track or mountain bike trails, may be booked for exclusive use. Please check our track closure page before your visit

Admission & Parking
Please note – it is only possible to pay for parking when you are at the park. We are no longer working with Park with Ease, so you cannot pay for parking online. Please pay as you are leaving the park as the system calculates how long you stayed. There is a 20 mins grace period where you don’t have to pay for parking.

We operate a barrier-less admission system which uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

Charges apply all day, every day.

You can enter Betteshanger on foot or by bicycle for free. Once you enter the Park, there are no additional charges to use the cycle tracks, trails or the play area.

Blue Badge Holders

If you hold a valid Blue Badge or equivalent disability parking permit, you are eligible for free parking at Betteshanger Country Park.
Please ensure that you bring your permit to reception at any time during your visit so that we can register your permit and registration number.
If you need any assistance or have difficulty coming to reception, please call 01304 619227 for assistance.
Please note: if you do not register your permit, normal parking charges will apply.

Site facilities
For permit holders, we offer parking spaces closest to the visitor centre entrance, but there is no restriction if you park in other bays within the car park.
The distance from the start of the car park to the main reception areas is approximately 200m.
The distance to the nearest toilets from reception is approximately 100m.
We have three disabled toilets; two located next to the bike hire/activity area and the other between the Glass Room and the Lamp Room.

The Betteshanger Team are here to help, if you have any problems on site, please notify us and we will be happy to help.

Access around the site
The car park is maintained regularly but as a country park we do have some uneven surfaces.
The main building area is a gravel surface, drop offs can be made at the entrance to the site leading directly on to a tarmac surface. If you would like to arrange to do so, please call in advance on 01304619227.
We have a slope that extends to the top of the site and gravel pathways around Betteshanger.
The building, including Reception and Lamp Room have large doorways, access areas and room between tables to accommodate wheelchair users.

If you need any further help once on site, please see one of our managers and we will help to accommodate your visit.

Parking Charges
Payment is required at one of our kiosks before you leave the Park.

Before you leave, enter your full registration number at the pay kiosk and your fee will be shown on the screen. Our machines take cards and coins.

Your parking payment is valid for one visit only. If you leave and enter the Park again within the same day, you are required to pay a separate charge for each visit.

If you are a Betteshanger Member, you do not need to enter your registration details. You can come and go as you please.

Tariff
Our new parking tariff is as follows:
Up to 1 hour £2.50
1 – 2 hours £3.50
2 – 3 hours £4.50
3 + hours £5.50
All day – 7 days a week.
20mins drop off / pick up grace period still applies, and blue badge holders exemption remains. Blue Badge holders are exempt from charges but are required to take their badge to a member of staff at Reception in order to have their vehicle registration removed from the ANPR system.

Parking must be paid for before leaving the premises (not on arrival at the Park) and there are two new payment terminals situated by the entrance to the visitor centre, plus a payment terminal on exit of the car park. Coins can only be used in the terminals next to the car park and entrance walkway.

Charges apply to motorbikes, cars and minibuses (up to 17 seats), all day, every day. Coaches are free (but must register at reception). You can enter the Park on foot or by bike free of charge.

If you use the Park regularly, you’ll find our Annual Membership provides significant savings.

Where payment is not made or membership details have not been submitted within 48 hours after your visit, the relevant tariff shall be £40. This is to be paid within 28 days but will be reduced to £20 if paid within 14 days.

Income from car parking and memberships is invested directly to help maintain Betteshanger Park. Every time you visit you know you are helping to look after the Park, preserve its heritage and promote a sustainable future.

Free teacher and group leader places
Betteshanger prides itself on providing a safe environment but we ask that children are supervised at all times. Accompanying teachers benefit from complimentary places up to the number of children within the group.

Safety and care
We will ensure your visit is as safe, rewarding and fun as possible. All our activities are risk assessed and relevant forms will be provided in advance of your visit. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. We ask you to read our Policy and agree to meet the same standards as those expected of our staff.

Our introduction to archery is perfect for beginners or seasoned professionals to test their skills.

Your class will go through the rules of the range and have a full brief on the safety precautions and how the equipment is used to remain safe.

Our coaches will start from the basics of how to hold the bow and what position to stand.  After the basics are covered will have small competitions or games using their newly acquired skills!

This activity is perfect for improving hand eye co-ordination and working as part of a team.

Click Here To Book Your Place Today!

Who is it suitable for?

Anyone who can ride a bike without assistance, usually 8 years upwards. If you have any specific needs please get in touch and we can do our best to cater a ride for your group.

National Curriculum Key Stages: 1 to 4

What should we wear/bring?

Suitable clothing for the weather, if it’s wet you will get muddy so bring warm clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Also a drink, especially when it is warm.

Activity description:

You will ride the mountain bike trails which takes in twists, turns, lumps ‘n bumps and small hills. Don’t panic if you are new to this
though, our expert coaches will always be assessing the ability of the group and match that to the trails making sure you are always having fun rather than worrying about what lurks around the corner.

Whilst on your rides you will be able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the natural flora and fauna at Betteshanger Park.

Thanks to our heritage as a former colliery, Betteshanger is bursting with fossils. Your class will be able to find plenty either lying on top of the spoil heap or by digging down into the spoil.

Using brick hammers to carefully reveal hidden fossils you will learn what types of rocks are in our quarry and what each type of fossil comes from.

All tools and safety equipment are provided. You may even get to keep a souvenir if you are lucky enough to find a fossil!

Click Here To Book Your Place Today!

Who is it suitable for?

All ages and abilities.

National Curriculum Key Stages: 2-4

What should we wear/bring?

Ordinary outdoor clothing or jogging kit with sturdy shoes or trainers. Be prepared to get bit muddy if wet. Bring a pen or pencil to note the control codes and a watch. A compass is also useful.

Activity description:

This is a self-led activity with prior knowledge of orienteering or map reading an advantage.

Orienteering is the adventure sport for all. Participants walk or run around the park finding your route between marker posts (controls) using the special orienteering map. Develop skills of map reading, compass use, observation of the terrain and distance estimation as well as enjoying fitness and fresh air. As a group activity it can be done singly or in pairs (better for beginners) and is normally be done as a “Score” event. Each pair should be issued an orienteering map of the park, compass, pen/pencil and paper and must have a watch or timer.

They should be given a short briefing to introduce the map (where we are now, scale, how to orientate using a compass), how to recognise the control (red and white marker with check number to match the number on the map and two-letter code to prove you have found it) and finally what time they must return (usually after 45 or 60 minutes). The rules are simple; they must use the map to find as many control points as possible (noting the two-letter code.

GEL MASTER

NEW FOR 2023

Suitable for ages 5 and above

Gel Master is the brand new exhilarating combat game that everyone is talking about!

Battery powered automatic pistols that shoot water soluble pellets that disintegrate in no time at all. Hardly any pain but maximum fun & excitement.

BATTLE BLASTERS

Suitable for ages 5 and over

All the fun and excitement of “Paintballing” without the bruises and mess!

We promote good sportsmanship, cooperation and integrity through fun games and battles.

Session includes – safety briefing, blaster briefing, arena rules and many battles such as Team Deathmatch and Capture the Base, all provided by our friendly staff.

BATTLEZONE ARCHERY

Suitable for ages 10 and over

Battlezone Archery will not fail to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline flowing, even the adults will want to join in!

The party will start with a safety talk and demonstration, each participant will be taught to shoot the bow safely and correctly. The group marshal will ensure safety rules are followed and provide ongoing coaching to ensure everyone is having fun.

The group will be split into 2 teams to play, each game will last 4/5 minutes when another game will start or new rules are introduced.

Session includes – coaching, bows, arrows, face protection and arm protection.

WILD ONES FOREST SCHOOL

Suitable for ages 3 and over

Our birthday parties are ideal for your wild one! A perfect woodland backdrop for your child, their best friends and loved ones to make memories and have good old-fashioned fun together. Gather around our camp fire and take part in our exciting activities run by our friendly staff.

Our activities are child led, meaning that you may have booked a Nature crown party for example and your child may then decide to make a den or play on the mud slide. Though you may have signed up for a certain activity with a certain end product, please be aware that your children may find something far more entertaining to do! No matter what they choose to do, we will ensure they are being safe and supervised during their activities.

BUSHCRAFT

NEW FOR 2023

Suitable for ages 10 and over

Want to be the next Ray Mears or Bear Grylls? Our Bushcraft Birthday Parties are perfect for starting your journey in the world of survival and Bushcraft skills.

Learn to make a survival shelter from natural materials, explore different methods of making fire, and learn how to identify some common plants and trees.

FOSSIL HUNTING

Suitable for ages 7 and over

With an expert guide and a little bit of digging in the coal spoil, your party guests will find and identify plenty of fossils and are likely to get dirty during the activity.
You’ll learn first-hand how fossils form and how they help us understand what used to live at Betteshanger.
You will even get to take home the fossils you find!

Session includes – safety briefing, tools, safety equipment and instruction on how to find fossils, all provided by our friendly staff.

TARGET ARCHERY

Suitable for ages 7 and above

Our skilled instructors will quickly get your party guests shooting arrows towards the targets, hitting gold and popping balloons.

The party will start with a safety talk followed by a demonstration, each participant will be taught how to aim and shoot safely. Our instructors will organise teams and individual games, make sure everyone gets involved and ensure they all enjoy the competition. Our range is perfect for beginners and the distance and size of the bows will be set to suit the group ability.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Suitable for ages 7 and above

If you have a budding Danny MacAskill or Rachel Atherton then we’ve got you covered. With our qualified mountain bike instructors and all the gear necessary to get your party out on our trails having fun and learning some new skills, our instructors will lead your party around our MTB trails, it’s a great way to explore the park, play games and get riding on our rugged MTB trails, expect lots of mud!
Participants must be able to ride a bike without stabilizers and ride confidently off-road.

In order to include all children, please note this activity will run according to level of the least able participant.

OBSTACLE COURSE

Suitable for ages 7 and over

We run our obstacle course parties in partnership with Boonies – Betteshanger’s military fitness provider. The course is designed to really put your guests through their paces, they’re likely to get muddy and very sweaty but they’re guaranteed to finish with big smiles on their faces.

Some of the more challenging obstacles include a 6ft wall climb, a rope, descend and cargo net crawl.  Those looking for an easier option can tackle balance beams, water jumps and rope walks. It’s a true team endeavor and great bonding experience.

CAMPFIRE & MARSHMALLOW TOASTING

Finish your party in style with a campfire and marshmallow toasting session!

PARTY INVITATIONS

All Betteshanger birthday parties include printable invitations which we will email you once the deposit has been paid and secured 

Or collect physical copies from the park for only £3.00!