Sherwood Lake and Woodland is in the Sherwood ward of Tunbridge wells, it is an area with Village Green status, it is open to the public 365 days a year. Part of the Sherwood Lake and Woodland site is made up of ancient and semi-natural broadleaf woodland. In the older woodland areas are oak and beech, Bluebells can be found flowering here in spring alongside other common woodland species. Work has begun removing the invasive rhododendron and understory plants to help maintain a healthy structure for the many different inhabitants of the woodland.

Williams Siemens, who co-founded the Siemens electrical engineering company with his brother Werner during 1858, lived at Sherwood Park from 1874 until his death in 1883. Siemens was a pioneer and inventor, and made many changes to the grounds of the house. His short time at Sherwood Park saw the woodland between Blackhurst Lane and Greggs Wood Road being worked by electrical machinery; powered by Siemens own design of steam engine.

He constructed Sherwood Lake, fed by the same natural spring that still flows into the lake today. This Sherwood spring water was Siemens’ main water source, and once again he used electricity generated on site to pump water from the spring up to the estate house.

Work started late 2014 to desilt the lake, re profiling the bottom and work carried out to revett the lake edges. There has been large scale removal of rhododendron and replanting of native scrub cover and marginal plants.

There is a partly stone and boardwalk path circling the lake accessed via steps up the dam face from behind the TN2 centre car park along with new access points from the new housing estates. Other walking routes cross the woodland passing many historical features of this old parkland.

Thanks to the work of the Friends of Sherwood Lake (FoSL), Sherwood Lake and Woods became a registered Village Green in October 2010

(Fishing is allowed with a rod licence from a series of swims set up at points around the lake, Please do not night fish from the swims on the dam. The lake is catch and release only.)

Easy access information

The access has been improved since the redevelopment adding new access points, including a wheelchair accessible entrance at Warren Walk –  There is disabled parking in the lakeside car park.

Toilets- No toilets at this site. Community centre not always open.

Getting there– Lakeside rd, off of Sherwood road will take you to the TN2 Centre which is the meeting point for volunteers. The site is well served for public transport parking in the TN2 Centre car park can be limited but there is ample roadside parking.
Postcode: TN2 3LZ

OS Grid Ref: TQ 602410

Town: Sherwood, Tunbridge wells