The park grounds once housed a private zoo owned by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, which operated until the late 1950s.
Several original zoo enclosures and structural remnants are still visible or partially integrated into the landscape today.
The park hosts a significant collection of mature specimen trees, including rare cultivars planted during the Victorian era.
It features a dedicated 'Sculpture Trail' with wooden carvings commissioned to reflect the site’s natural history.
The park is managed by the Cobtree Manor Park Charity, established to maintain the land for public benefit.
Cobtree Manor Park occupies the site of the former Maidstone Zoo, which closed in 1959. The 50-acre park features a network of wooded trails, landscaped gardens, and a large children's play area. A dedicated sculpture trail winds through the woodland, featuring wooden carvings created by local artists. The grounds include historic mature trees and varied botanical specimens inherited from the site's previous use as a private estate. Visitors have access to designated picnic zones and open meadows suitable for recreation. The park serves as a central hub for the Cobtree estate, which remains a protected green space within the Maidstone urban fringe.
The elevated points along the woodland sculpture trail providing views over the Kentish landscape.
Wear sturdy footwear as the woodland trails can become muddy after rainfall.
Bring a picnic, as the park features extensive designated grassy areas but limited on-site dining options.
Explore the northern woodland sections to find the quieter, less frequented paths away from the main playground.
Attempting to traverse the steep banks in the wooded area during wet weather, as they become exceptionally slippery.
Keep dogs on leads in designated play areas; remove all litter to maintain the protected status of the woodland wildlife.
