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.
January/February Update 2026
General update
With spring just around the corner, now is a great time to enjoy a walk in the parks and enjoy the sights, including the crocuses and daffodils that are beginning to show.
The café is currently open from 9am to 3.30pm until the end of February. From March, it will stay open until 5pm. Please note, the car park behind the café closes one hour after the café. The café continues to serve a whole range of treats. Why not pop in and try our cream tea, which includes our freshly made scones.
New to The Billiards Room every Thursday is Family Pilates, an inclusive environment for carers with babies up to pre-school age. For more details or to book, please see https://hooga-natal.com/events-calendar
The Billiards Room is open every day to enjoy a quiet drink or catch up with friends from 10am to 2pm (except Thursdays), (please note this is subject to private events being booked).
An exciting new-look play area is set to swing into action in Kearsney Abbey, following news of the go ahead for a range of renovations that are due to start in the spring.
We are also looking forward to a Farm and Forest Event in the Kearsney Parks in April. For more details, please see the Kearsney Parks websitea little nearer the time.
Volunteering tasks are continuing in the parks. If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch at kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk
For all the latest information on the Kearsney Parks, please see the website at www.kearsneyparks.co.uk