Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens are the most popular, historic parks in Dover. They are located 2.5 miles north west of Dover town centre in the Alkham Valley, part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Alkham Valley Road separates Kearsney Abbey (in the Parish of River) and Russell Gardens which is in Temple Ewell.
Both parks are carefully designed landscapes. Thousands of tonnes of earth were moved and trees planted to create the slopes, woods, water courses and lake. The River Dour, a spring-fed chalk stream, flows through the parks. Combined with ornamental lakes, this gives the parks a picturesque landscape style.
The origins of both parks can be traced back to grand country houses and estates built for prominent local industrialists in the early 19th and 20th centuries.
www.KearsneyParks.co.uk
Kearsney Abbey is laid out in an informal style. Its 10 acres of open parkland and lakes are popular with families.
Although never a monastic estate, the history of Kearsney Abbey can be traced back to the Norman Conquest.
The park as it exists today can be attributed to John Minet Fector, a local banker and merchant, who built a grand mansion on the site between 1820-1822.
Two adjoining ornamental lakes on the course of the River Dour provide a haven for water fowl. Kearsney Abbey also has a fine collection of specimen trees, including Beech, Lime and Yew. A prominent feature is a Cedar of Lebanon which is believed to be one of the oldest specimens in the country.
Russell Gardens is Grade II Listed in the English Heritage Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest. It covers 10 hectares and is laid out in a formal style.
Originally known as Kearsney Court Park & Gardens, they were designed by the renowned Edwardian landscape architect, Thomas H. Mawson (1861-1933). Kearsney Court is believed to be one of the first independent commissions by Mawson, and is a very rare example of his work in the south east. Several set piece photographs of Kearsney Court were included in Mawson's book, The Art & Craft of Garden Making, which became a standard reference in its day.
The challenging steep terrain of the Alkham Valley provided Mawson with the ideal opportunity to create his signature design features - great terraces, pergolas and architectural features in a garden context. The magnificent 170m long canal pond, and Palladian-style pergola bridges and boathouse pavilion form the central architectural features of the park.
February 2025 update
Despite the wet cold weather, the bulbs are beginning to shoot reminding us that spring is on its way. The snowdrops and crocuses are flowering throughout the park, and the early flowering yellow daffodils are beginning to show colour. The spring bulbs in the long border in Russell Gardens are also beginning to show.
The main car park’s opening times will change on 1 April, when it will be open until 9pm. Please note there is a four hour parking limit. The cafe is open until 4pm in March and until 5pm in April.
Easter Trail
Come along to Kearsney Parks on Wednesday 16 April between 10am - 4pm and take part in our Easter Trail. Tickets will be available to be booked from 5 March. For more information, please keep an eye on the Kearsney Parks website.
Great British Spring Clean
As part of the Great British Spring Clean, everyone is invited to come along to a litter pick at Kearsney Abbey on Monday 31 March from 2pm-4pm. We'll also be on hand with fun games to educate younger visitors and information to help you reduce, reuse and recycle.
Kearsney Parks 2026 calendar
The sale of the Kearsney Parks 2025 calendar went well, and we are now looking for photos for the 2026 calendar. If you have any photos that you feel would be suitable, please do send them in. For us to display these photos, the preferred format is landscape.
The stunning picture above was taken by Ruth King.
Please email your photos to [email protected]
Wildlife
Kingfishers continue to be spotted in all three parks as does the heron and egret. You are less likely to see them as we go into the breeding season.
Between November and April, the trout spawn in the river. Please help to keep their environment undisturbed during this period so that the trout can be as successful as possible.
Please also be aware of the wildlife as the breeding season begins and ensure dogs are always kept on leads in the designated areas and under control.
Volunteering at Kearsney Parks
Volunteering tasks are continuing in Kearsney Parks. The fruit trees in the orchard were pruned over winter and will be mulched again this year with leaf mould from the parks.
If you are interested in volunteering, and would like to be put on our database, please get in touch at [email protected]