A popular destination for walks and bike rides will reopen on Monday, bosses confirm.

The Betteshanger Country Park, situated between Deal and Sandwich, has been closed since March 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic but will reopen from 9am on Monday.

Restrictions will be in place to ensure social distancing is observed and risk of infection remains low.

In a statement published on social media, the park's management said: "We are pleased to announce that Betteshanger Country Park will re-open Monday 1st June, 9.00 am following the changes to the government’s coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions that allows the public to make more of the outdoors.

Re-opening the country park has meant introducing a number of restrictions to meet current social distancing requirements.

"For now, toilets and play areas remain closed. Hand sanitiser stations are available and will be regularly checked. Our cafe will be open for light refreshments.

"Welcoming you back to enjoy our open spaces, the emerging flora and fauna and fresh air is a first tentative step to support the residents of Kent safely emerge from the lockdown.
"We know how important it is for people’s physical and mental wellbeing to be able to have access to green spaces, and if we all work together we can keep the park open and enjoy the beautiful landscape that it offers.

"Thank you to everyone who has remained in contact via our social media channels and for your continued support in the past and the future of Betteshanger Country Park."

On-site bike hire will not be available upon the site's relaunch, and all dog walkers are asked to keep their pets on their leads.

Furthermore the post asked people to purchase a parking ticket or pay via the parking app, as "this is the only revenue stream for the park and we appreciate the support visitors are giving by using our car park."

A former colliery spoil tip, the site launched as Fowlmead before being purchased and renamed by the Hadlow Group in May 2015.

Having undergone extensive work to transform it into a cycle and walk venue, Betteshanger Country Park often appears in lists of the county's best spots for nature strolls.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich