The play area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a tyre swing
• a swinging seesaw
• a large multiplay with three slides, easy to climb stairs, a role play cafe and nets
• a second multiplay for younger children
• a game board
• a springer
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout
• spinning seats
• a zip wire.

 

The Splash Pad

We spent most of our visit playing with the water jets in the splash pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe giving it that holiday feeling.

 

 

 

Splash Pad Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the splash pad – only children under 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm and there are no balls or inflatable toys allowed.

You must wear swimming suits and swimming nappies (if necessary).

 

 

The Sports Facilities

There are tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch, a kick about area, table tennis and a sports field.

There is also a miniature golf course, a walk to Jocks Copse and Tinkers Copse and a miniature railway that is run by the Bracknell Railway Society.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, lots and lots of ducks and water birds.

Information Written: June 2017

 

Longleat can be divided into two main areas – the Safari and the Main Square.

 

The Safari 

This has an African Village to explore on foot and a Safari Drive-Through to explore from a vehicle – either your own or the Longleat bus.

 

 

 

 

Safari On Foot – The African Village

Here you can see lemurs, wallabies and tortoises

 

 

 

 

zebra, warthogs and goats and hand feed giraffes.  

 

 

 

 

 

Safari By Car – The Drive-Through

The Drive-Through has a commentary app, which is a fab idea that turns your drive into a live action, Kate Humble guided documentary.

 

 

 

East African Reserve

In the first section you can see ostriches, giraffes and tapirs

 

 

 

 

 

 

zebra, flamingos, pelicans and vultures. 

 

 

 

 

Monkeys

Next up are the monkeys.  Signs warn that the monkeys may damage your car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the gates open, Kate Humble chirps, “You have been warned…”.

 

 

 

 

The monkeys maraud along the lines of cars. We have seen them take cars apart.

 

 

 

 

You can choose to skip this enclosure if you like. 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Game Park

This has animals including Anne the elephant

 

 

 

 

a caravan of camels, a herd of Ankole cattle with horns of up to 2m long

 

 

 

 

a crash of rhinos and the Deer Park, where you can feed deer from your car.

 

 

 

 

The Carnivores

When we visited the big carnivore enclosures – tigers, lions, cheetahs and wolves – the tension from the back seat was palpable. 

 

 

 

The Main Square

The second part of Longleat is the Main Square, which has the house, cafes and refreshments and more animals. 

 

 

 

 

The Bat Cave

This is a bat roost and the bats fly freely around your head. 

 

 

 

 

 

Jungle Cruise

On the Jungle Cruise, you take a large boat that wouldn’t have been out of place in The African Queen – a sort of jungle steamer. 

We sailed past gorillas, colobus monkeys, lots of birds

 

 

and two hippos, who were being used as an island by some cheeky ducks.

 

 

 

 

But our favourite part of the cruise is feeding the sea lions.

They splash around the boat and make a lot of noise, jumping up out of the water to catch the fish you throw them (which you must buy).

 

 

Animal Adventure

This is home to animals like meerkats, anteaters and porcupines

 

 

 

 

binturong, fennec fox and a sloth

 

 

 

 

lorikeets you can hand feed

 

 

 

 

 

crocodiles, giant otters and koalas.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a farmyard with animals including reindeer, wallabies and goats. 

 

 

 

 

Adventure Castle Play Area

Adventure Castle is a fantastic, castle-themed adventure play area. 

 

 

 

 

The play area’s centrepiece is a huge wooden castle with ramparts, walkways, nets and slides galore.

There is also an indoor soft play area for small children.

 

 

 

It has almost everything you can imagine for children of all ages – huge slides, climbing frames, swings and an obstacle course.

 

 

 

The Splash Pad

Jets of water activate when you press discs in the floor – some sprayed up, some sprayed down and some formed tunnels to run through.

The perfect end to an adventure-filled day.

Nearest Town: Warminster
County: Wiltshire
Nearest Postcode: BA12 7NW

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 3

Opens: Daily during the summer but with seasonal closures.

Where to Eat: There are various cafes and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, cafes, picnic areas, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Zoo and safari park animals, including zebra, giraffes, camels, vultures, monkeys, an elephant, rhinos, deer, lions, tigers, cheetahs, wolves, insects and spiders, hippos, seals, gorillas, bats, anteaters, giant otters, meerkats and wallabies.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: January 2024

 

Friday Street Stream

This is a little stream that flows under a little footbridge and across a little road. It’s a peaceful place to splash around. 

 

 

The Scarecrow Family

When you manage to tear yourselves away from the stream, keep walking down the lane until you come to a fork in the road. If you take the left hand path you come to a garden with a family of scarecrows…

 

 

…and a poem. My children love this garden!

 

 

 

 

Friday Street Stream Bridge

A little further down this path is Friday Street Stream Bridge, which seems to act as a dam – the stream pools on one side and pours out of the other.  

 

 

 

The Mill Pond 

At the centre of Friday Street is a mill pond that was originally part of a 17th century mill.

 

 

 

This is another paddling spot but it can be very muddy. 

 

 

 

 

The Woods 

On the hill behind Mill Pond are woods you can explore, including Severell’s Copse, which is a short walk up the hill.

 

 

 

There is also woodland next to the car park.

 

 

 

 

Tillingbourne Waterfall

Near to Friday Street there is a surprise – the almost secret Tillingbourne Waterfall. This is a waterfall that is on private land (so you can’t actually reach or paddle in it) but is visible from a public footpath.

You can walk to the waterfall from Friday Street but it is much easier to reach from Broadmoor, especially for little legs.

Have a look at our visit to Broadmoor and the Tillingbourne Waterfall for further details.

 

Finding Your Way From the Car Park

To find Mill Pond, stand in the car park facing the road. On your right by the road is a path and some steps down to Mill Pond.  

 

 

 

Finding Your Way From Mill Pond

At the Mill Pond crossroads you have three choices:

• Turn left across Friday Street and walk down the little road next to the postbox. This road will take you to Friday Street Stream, the scarecrow family and Friday Street Stream Bridge.

 

 

• Go straight on, over the bridge and then turn right to spend time at the pond. This is also the way we walk to Broadmoor Car Park. 

 

 

 

• Turn right and follow the little road next to Mill Pond. This will take you to the Stephen Langton pub (if it is still open) and then up into the woods next to the car park.

 

 

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: RH5 6JR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a blanket and a picnic or try the Stephen Langton pub (this may now be closed).
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: There are steps down to Mill Pond from the car park. Once at Mill Pond, Friday Street is pretty flat. To go towards Tillingbourne Falls or Broadmoor you have to go up a fairly steep hill covered in tree roots. 

Parking: Car park with lots of spaces but can be busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2020

 

 

Sand Lizards

If you are lucky you might spot a sand lizard in the sand dunes or fossils in the stones. Fossils can either be found in the pebbles on the beach or in the chalk and flint pebbles exposed at low tide.

 

 

Fossils

Many of the larger pebbles, and most complete fossils, can be found at the end of the beach nearest the car park – no long walks required!

 

 

 

We found this fossil, which we think is a flint cast of the inside of an ancient sea urchin (but would be happy to hear otherwise).

It is about 2 inches in diameter and has clear markings. The children were delighted.

 

 

Beachcombing

It is not surprising that Littlehampton West Beach is a protected Nature Reserve. We found all sorts of treasures from sharks’ egg cases to cuttlebones. We even saw a little egret wading in the shallows.

 

 

Littlehampton Fort

After leaving we discovered that behind the car park is Littlehampton Fort, which is over 150 years old and was built to protect the entrance to the River Arun from attack.

 

The Cafe

Next to the car park are public toilets and West Beach Cafe, which serves refreshments and also has breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

From here you can see the River Arun and the contrasting Littlehampton East Beach, with its theme park, promenade and amusements.

 

Access

The beach is only a short walk from the car park but to reach the sea you have to climb down a steep, stoney slope. 

 

Nearest Town: Littlehampton
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: BN17 5DL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try the West Beach Cafe. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: We spent about five hours at West Beach.
Buggies: There is a steep slope down to the sea but I used an all terrain buggy without any issues.

Parking: Good-sized car park
Cost of Parking: From £0.60 in the winter and £1.50 in the summer.

Wildlife You Might See: Sea life, seabirds and sand lizards.

Information Written: June 2017

 

The Splash Pad

The splash pad has jets of water and overhead buckets that gradually fill with water and then suddenly spill down onto the people below.

 

 

 

 

The Beach

The beach area has hammocks, picnic tables and barbecues that can be pre-booked. There is also a cafe and toilets.

 

 

 

 

Opening Hours

The Locks Ride splash pad has set opening hours so be sure to check before you go. 

 

 

The Play Area

Much of the play equipment in Locks Ride Recreation Play Area is built over the sand and includes:

• climbing nets
• a rope bridge
• a slide set into a hill with easy to climb steps
• two basket swings
• a chair swing
• a rope swing
• a double zip wire and
• a water play area with a small water chute and pump.

 

Beside the play area is a multi-gym, two football pitches, a cricket pitch and a pavilion.

 

Nearest Town: Winkfield Row, Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG42 7NJ

Opens: The splash pad is open daily from mid-May to mid-September. The play area is open daily.
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables or the cafe.
Facilities: Ice creams and toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2017

 

Hurst Spit

Hurst Spit separates the sea and the Lymington River Estuary.  

 

 

 

 

To one side it has mudflats and salt marshes.  

 

 

 

 

To the other it has the sea and views to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. 

 

 

 

 

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

 

 

Walking to Hurst Castle

The walk to the castle is about two miles and is part of the Solent Way.

It is not the easiest of walks.  Sturdy footwear is recommended and it is hard going with a buggy.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

 

 

Sailing to Hurst Castle

If you would like to visit Hurst Castle but don’t fancy the walk or have little ones with you, then consider the Hurst Castle ferry.  

 

 

 

It is a beautiful 20 minute ferry ride through salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats. 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle is an artillery fort that was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII to protect the Solent, Southampton and Portsmouth.

 

 

 

It is one of the best preserved of Henry VIII’s castles and had an active military role until the mid-20th century.

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP takes you to Keyhaven Car Park and if you keep driving, Hurst Spit. 

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Hurst Spit is free. Children under 5 years enter the castle for free.

Where to Eat: Eat at the Hurst Castle cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: January 2023

 

Adventure Castle

The play area’s centrepiece is a huge wooden castle with ramparts, walkways, nets, and slides galore.

 

 

 

I am not going to list out all of its equipment because it had almost everything you can imagine for children of all ages.

 

 

 

There is also an indoor soft play area for small children.

 

The Splash Pad

The splash pad’s jets of water activate when you press discs in the floor – some sprayed up, some sprayed down, some formed tunnels to run around.

Nearest Town: Warminster
County: Wiltshire
Nearest Postcode: BA12 7NW

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 3

Opens: Daily during the summer but with seasonal closures.

Where to Eat: There are various cafes and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, snacks, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Zoo and safari park animals, including zebra, giraffes, camels, vultures, monkeys, an elephant, rhinos, deer, lions, tigers, cheetahs, wolves, insects, hippos, seals, gorillas, bats, anteaters, otters, meerkats and wallabies.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: January 2024

 

The Zones

The Discovery Centre is divided into five zones, each looking at a different area of science, nature and engineering.

 

Build It!

In this zone, children can dress up in hi vis jackets and hard hats and then use dumper trucks, wheelbarrows, chutes and pulleys to construct a house from bricks and lay a roof with slates.

 

 

 

Woodland and Water

This area includes an indoor stream with boats, waterfalls and dams and musical pipes to play.

Be sure to bring a change of clothes if you are going to play with the stream, my children get very wet!

 

 

Note that the Build It! and Woodland and Water Zones are inside the centre but somehow open to the air outside. They can both be cold so be sure to bring warm clothing in the winter.

 

 

 

Body and Perception

The centre piece of this zone is a huge magnetic board with moveable pipes and chutes you can arrange to form a ball run.

When the ball reaches the end it is blown back to the start!

 

 

There are also activities like the mysterious treasure chest and an electronic table with games to play

 

 

 

 

and a test your reactions machine!

 

 

 

 

 

Insect Enclosure

There are different animals to see, including a snake, stick insects, cockroaches, toads and leaf cutter ants – one of my favourites!

 

 

 

 

Forces and Movement

Here you can launch a hot air balloon and a rocket, play in a sand video game,

 

 

 

 

investigate space, play a huge piano with your feet, build a bridge, or shop in the mini-supermarket.

 

 

 

 

Light and Colour

Last but certainly not least, this zone has experiments with light and the fun Optimusic, which is an interactive game you play by stepping into light beams.

 

 

 

 

 

Cafe and Kiosk

Inside the centre is a cafe that serves hot and cold food and also a gift shop.

Outside is a kiosk that sells refreshments and lots of picnic tables.

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Areas

The Look Out has two of the bet adventure play areas we have come across – one for ages 3 to 6 years and another for ages 7 to 11 years.

We love the Look Out Discovery Centre Adventure Play Areas and visit regularly.

 

 

The Swinley Forest

The Look Out centre is surrounded by the Swinley Forest, which has cycle trails and three signposted walks to try, including the Heritage Trail, which leads you to an iron age hill fort and the site of a Roman town.

 

 

 

Orienteering

There is also a permanent orienteering course, which you can buy from the reception desk in the Discovery Centre for £1.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 7QW

Adult Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Under 4

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Picnic tables and a cafe.
Facilities: A shop, cafe, ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large pay and display car park but this can be very busy.
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 for the first four hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: January 2022

 

Paddling

Latchmoor Brook is a beautiful place to combine a picnic and a paddle to cool off during the summer.

 

 

 

 

During the winter or wet months it can be muddy and I understand the mud could be dangerous. 

 

 

 

 

Fossil Hunting

You can find fossils along the stream at any point from the path to the woods. You are most likely to find fossilised shells but, if you are very lucky, you may find fish remains and shark teeth.

Please note that you need permission to collect specimens and are not allowed to dig here.

 

 

The Mud

It was muddy when we visited and we could not walk far along the brook.

I understand the mud can become dangerous so be sure to only visit during dry times of the year.

 

 

 

To Find Latchmoor Brook

Follow the path from Telegraph Hill car park that leads to the left. You walk past gorse bushes and go down a slight hill. At the bottom of the hill you come to a boggy area and a small stream, which is Latchmoor Brook. 

We crossed the brook and turned right to walk along it. The brook is initially shallow but quickly cuts into the clay, developing steep banks, before disappearing into the forest. 

Nearest Town: Fordingbridge, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP6 2QY

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a blanket and a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: I managed with an all terrain buggy. The paths are grassy, uneven and boggy in places and there is no path along the brook itself. 

Parking: There is a small car park called Telegraph Hill car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies and insects.

Information Written: March 2019

 

Frensham Great Pond

Swimming is permitted from one of the two sandy beaches at Frensham Great Pond. 

 

 

 

 

Frensham Little Pond

Frensham Little Pond is the smaller and more wild of the two ponds.

It is a peaceful, picturesque and pine-scented place to explore. 

 

 

 

The Cafes

There is a cafe at each of the nearby ponds that sell snacks, drinks and ice creams.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths around Frensham Common vary. Some are easy to walk on, others are deep sand;

 

 

 

some are on steep hills and others are flat. 

I would not take a buggy with me on a walk here. 

 

 

 

Where to Start?

The easiest way to access Frensham Common is to either start at one of the two ponds or to use the little lay-by next to St Mary’s School in Frensham (GU10 3DS).

 

 

 

From here you can head into the woods and up onto Frensham Common.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the spot where you can see both ponds. 

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3DS (the lay-by), GU10 2QB (Frensham Great Pond), GU10 3BT (Frensham Little Pond).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at one of the cafes at Frensham Little Pond or Frensham Great Pond. 
Facilities: There are cafes, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets at each of the ponds. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring a buggy – some of the paths are deep sand and there are some steep hills. 

Parking: There are a few spaces at the lay-by mentioned above and large car parks at both ponds (see above for the post codes) but they can be very busy when the weather is warm.
Cost of Parking: The lay-by is free. Parking at either of the ponds is free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Lots of birds, including ducks, swans, coots, moorhens, squirrels and sand lizards.

Information Written: May 2022
Information Checked: November 2023