Today I found out that the Dragonfly Trail along the Thursley Common boardwalk has been rebuilt and is open! At its best, there is something almost primeval...
MoreVenture into the Lost World of Thursley Common, Thursley
Dare to Enter Thor’s Den at Thursley Playground, Thursley
Welcome to Thor’s Den! An exciting name for an exciting play area sitting on the edge of Thursley Common. The equipment includes: toddler swings (with...
MoreFind Flashes along Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal
One of the surprises hiding along the Basingstoke Canal are flashes – one minute you are walking along a narrow canal and the next, a beautiful lake known as a...
MoreDiscover Locks and Play Areas along the Basingstoke Canal
This beautiful walk along the Basingstoke Canal has the added bonus of three play areas, three locks and plenty of ducks! Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal...
MoreExplore the Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mytchett
Don’t be fooled by the Basingstoke Canal Centre’s unassuming appearance – it’s a convenient gateway to the beautiful Basingstoke...
MoreMarvel at the Deepcut Flight on Section 4, Basingstoke Canal
Arguably the most interesting stretch of the Basingstoke Canal, this walking or cycle route takes you past 11 of the huge locks that lift the canal 100 feet in just 2...
MoreHollowdene Recreation Ground, Frensham, Farnham
Hollowdene Recreation Ground has a small play area with equipment for use by children under the age of 14 years. If you walk down past the playing fields you come to...
MoreTake Brass Rubbings at Lakeside Nature Reserve, Ash Vale
Hidden around Lakeside Nature Reserve are brass rubbing posts, lakes, an orchid meadow, woodland, and an adventure play area. You can also find...
MoreMeet Nymphs and a Boggart on the Blackwater Valley Path
A cheeky boggart and some wood and water nymphs are just some of the creatures waiting to meet you along the Blackwater Valley Path. You may also spot fish, butterflies...
MoreWhere To Go… In and Around the Blackwater Valley Path
The River Blackwater rises in Aldershot and flows to the River Loddon in Swallowfield, near Reading. The Blackwater Valley Path follows the river on its...
MoreDodge Puddles and Spot Graffiti on the Blackwater Valley Path
This stretch of the Blackwater Valley Path offers clear views of the tree-lined river and some colourful graffiti, if you will brave its puddled paths. This section is 2...
MoreCycle Along the River on the Blackwater Valley Path
Section 4 of the Blackwater Valley Path follows the river’s route along the busy A331 dual carriageway. Unfortunately, you tend to be more aware of the road than...
MoreDiscover a Canal in the Sky on the Blackwater Valley Path
Stumbling across a canal flowing over a bridge is one of the biggest surprises I have had on a local walk! The Ash Aqueduct and three play areas all wait along Section 3...
MoreFind a Five Leaf Clover on the Blackwater Valley Path
Along the Blackwater are patches where you can find four and even five leaf clovers. These are very rare so be sure to only give one to someone you love very...
MoreBegin at the Beginning on the Blackwater Valley Path
The Blackwater begins in the tranquil Rowhill Nature Reserve and so does the Blackwater Valley Path, which winds with the river, past the source, waterfalls and...
MoreFollow the Blackwater to Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
The Blackwater Valley Path follows the River Blackwater from its boggy source in Aldershot to its end at the River Loddon in Swallowfield, near Reading. Along the way are...
MoreDiscover the Source of the River Blackwater at Rowhill, Aldershot
Rowhill Nature Reserve hides the source of the River Blackwater amongst charismatically named areas like Stickleback Pond, Rhododendron...
MoreDiscover the Delights of Pond Dipping, Rowan Field, Ash
Rowan Field is unusual – a nature reserve split in half by the A331. On the other side of the dual carriageway is Shawfields, an area of ancient meadow. Rowan Field...
MoreMeet a Boggart on the Hawley Meadows Story Trail, Camberley
The Hawley Meadows Story Trail is a series of short stories about wood nymphs, water nymphs and a cheeky boggart. It is called “The Story of the Nymphs and the...
MoreHawley Meadows, River Blackwater, Near Camberley
According to the information boards, Hawley Meadows gives an impression of how the Blackwater Valley would have looked 100 years ago. It must have...
MoreFind Sand, Ducks and Mega Multiplays at Aldershot Park
Aldershot Park is bursting with things to do – play areas, a sand pit, ducks, sports pitches, a trim trail and river walks. Its two play areas packed with...
MoreGet Your Ninja On at Ninja Warrior UK, Guildford
Whether it’s sneaking, springing, crawling or climbing, Ninja Warrior UK in Guildford is the place to perfect the ninja skills you never knew you...
MoreDrive the Tractor at The Jubilee Play Area, Tilford
The Jubilee Play Area is a small play area in Tilford with a zip wire and a tractor! The play equipment includes a tractor to play on a wooden house with a...
MoreHunt for a Stone Age Quarry in Shere Woodlands
A Stone Age quarry hides in the deepest parts of Shere Woodlands. Tracking it down was one of those wild occasions where I began to feel like an...
MorePondside Play at Petersfield Heath and Play Area
Beautifully situated Petersfield Heath Play Area has it all – a pondside play area with a cafe, plenty of ducks to feed, a circular walk past ancient monuments...
MoreBe Enchanted by West Hanger, Shere Woodlands
There is something magical about Shere Woodlands. Maybe it’s the paths that twist past old, gnarled trees, secret hideouts and quiet copses. Maybe it’s the...
MoreSpin, Slide and Spring at King George V Play Area, Farnborough
King George V Playing Fields and Play Area is a well equipped play area with a range of equipment for children of all ages. The play equipment is said to...
MorePlay By a Lake at Broadwater Park Play Area, Godalming
Broadwater Park’s sandy play area is by a lake, so when you have finished playing you can go for a walk, feed the ducks and have a picnic. The play area is for...
MoreFind Witch Bottles and a Cockatrice at Andover Museum
Have you ever heard of a cockatrice? How about witch bottles? Or a hill fort? These are all on display at Andover Museum, along with exhibits about Iron...
MoreSlip Through Secret Passages at Little Beaulieu, New Forest
Your mission at Little Beaulieu is to sneak past the painting with the moving eyes and slip into the secret passage behind the bookcase. But you’ll have to...
MoreRide in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Beaulieu, New Forest
Beaulieu is home to all things with motors – everything from famous motors and racing motors, to model motors and vintage motors. You can race model motors...
MoreSail a Seascape at Osbourne Road Play Area, Farnborough
A sea scene is playing out at Osbourne Road Play Area, with sea creatures, palm trees, a wooden island and two ships, one with a cannon. Friend or foe? The...
MoreMake Some Feathered Friends at the Hawk Conservancy, Andover
If you know someone who longs to discover more about birds of prey, then consider a visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Their mission is to conserve birds of prey...
MoreEnter the Lion’s Den at Stockbridge Common Marsh, near Andover
Hidden along the banks of the River Test, Stockbridge Common Marsh is a tranquil spot for a picnic, paddle and walk. As you enter, you pass a sign that says ‘The...
MoreSee Eight Counties from the Top of St Martha’s Hill
Some say that on a clear day you can see eight counties from the top of St Martha’s Hill! I am not sure about that but the views are picturesque and we...
MoreFind the Atlantic Wall at Hankley Common, Thursley
With sandy paths galore, James Bond connections and World War 2 remnants, Hankley Common is somewhere that is full of surprises. Hankley Common has beautiful...
MorePlay by the Wey at The Phillips Memorial Park, Godalming
Sitting next to the River Wey, The Phillips Memorial Park has a wooden play area, a field, skate park and also a riverside walk. The play equipment includes a...
MoreMeet Thomas and Friends at Thomas Land, Drayton Manor
Thomas Land brings to life the Island of Sodor, complete with Thomas the Tank Engine and many of his really useful friends and their theme park style...
MoreTrap a Sea Monster on the Salterns Story Trail, Lymington
Are you brave enough to step back in time to 1832 and help a salt farmer trap a sea monster? If so, The Story of Salterns, Sea Monsters and Saving the...
MoreSpot Salterns at the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve
For hundreds of years, people have used the coastal lagoons of The Solent to trap sea water and create salt. Today some can be see at the Lymington-Keyhaven...
MoreDiscover Medieval Warfare at Corfe Castle, Wareham
Sitting high on a hill, Corfe Castle guards a gap in the Purbeck Hills, and is a fun castle to explore. Corfe Castle dates back to about 1066 and the Norman invasion of...
MoreBegin an Adventure at Shalford Park, Guildford
Shalford Park is a great spot to start an adventure. From here you can walk to St Catherine’s Hill, St Catherine’s lock, find a sacred spring or begin a trip...
MoreClimb Dragon Hill, St Catherine’s Hill, Guildford
A walk to St Catherine’s Hill involves the River Wey, bridges, a lock, a sacred spring and water meadows. St Catherine’s Hill used to be called Drakehull (or...
MoreMake a Wish in the Wishing Well at Waggoners Wells
At the bottom of Waggoners Wells – beyond the blue pools, waterfall and giant fish – is an old wishing well that is said to have inspired Tennyson and Flora...
MoreSail on a Sea of Sand at Queens Road Play Area, Farnborough
The sandy Queens Road Play Area and Recreation Ground has with equipment for a variety of ages, a large field with sports facilities and wildflowers. The...
MoreThe Sidings Play Area at Norden Station, Swanage Railway
Norden Station doesn’t have a waiting room, it has a train-themed play area called The Sidings! All aboard… The play equipment is based on Swanage Railway...
MoreChuff, Chuff, Chuff to Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway
It’s not often you are given the chance to visit the 1940s but a trip on Swanage Railway is one of those occasions! This full-size heritage railway operates a range...
MoreWhere To Go… In and Around The Ashford Hangers
When you’re in the mood for a bit of natural drama, consider the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, a part of Hampshire that has been referred to as...
MoreConquer Shoulder of Mutton Hill, Ashford Hangers, Steep
Of all the places I have explored, Shoulder of Mutton Hill is my favourite – it’s also the place I visit most often. I love the climb, I love the views and I...
MoreFind Cobbett’s View on Wheatham Hill, Ashford Hangers
In 1822, William Cobbett was surprised to discover Wheatham Hill, “…out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my...
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