Where 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 “Little Switzerland”.
Swashbuckle Through Mr Mulligan’s Pirate Golf, Old Woking
Avast, ye landlubbers, it’s time for a round of mini-golf…pirate style! This is Mr Mulligan’s Pirate Golf, where it’s just you and your golf ball against a course of pirates, parrots, floating rafts,
Follow the Gruffalo and Friends Through Alice Holt Forest
What would you discover if you “took a stroll through a deep dark wood”? In Alice Holt Forest, it could be almost anything – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, adventure play
Timberline Adventure Play Area at Alice Holt Forest, Farnham
Timberline Adventure Play Area is a huge obstacle course that is a fun place to play The Floor is Lava. It is hidden away in Alice Holt Forest, about a five minute walk from
Find 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 flash.
Discover 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
Explore 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 Canal, complete
Marvel 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 miles
Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area, Mytchett
As well as all the activities on offer, the Basingstoke Canal Centre has a small wooden play area with a circular obstacle course. You can also walk along the
Meet 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
Where 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
Dodge 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 miles
Cycle 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 the river.
Discover 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
Find 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 much!
Begin 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 bridges
Follow 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
Discover 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
Discover 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
Hawley 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 been
Get 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 had!
Hunt 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 explorer…
Be 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 stone
Find 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 Age
Ride 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 at
Make 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
Discover 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 England.
Chuff, 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
Conquer 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 love the
Find 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 life,
Kestrel Corner Play Area at Polesden Lacey, Near Dorking
There are two places to play at Polesden Lacey – Kestrel Corner Play Area and the play areas scattered amongst the trees lining the paths. Kestrel Corner Play Area
Play Around at Polesden Lacey, Near Dorking
Once described as a ‘delicious house’ by the Queen Mother, Polesden Lacey is a gorgeous place to spend a day, with plenty of places to play and picnic.
Step Into Magical Storybook Worlds at the Festival of Light
Longleat’s magical Festival of Light uses huge lanterns to create worlds from children’s stories. We have walked through the wardrobe into Narnia, explored the wonderful worlds
Go on an Action-Packed Safari at Longleat, Warminster
Longleat is fantastic – one of the best days out I’ve had with the children. We had an action-packed day full of fun, adventure and wonder, during which we hand-fed beautiful animals
Adventure Castle Play Area, Longleat, Warminster
A must-see part of Longleat is Adventure Castle. This amazing adventure play area centres around an enormous wooden castle complete with tube
Go Paddling at Frensham Little Pond, Near Farnham
Frensham Little Pond is a picturesque place for a paddle and a pond dip, surrounded by the fresh scent of pine, sandy beaches and Frensham Common.
Enjoy the Views from Frensham Common, Near Farnham
Frensham Common is an area of open and airy heathland with woods, beautiful viewpoints and two popular ponds – Frensham Great Pond and Frensham
Hit the Beach at Frensham Great Pond, Near Farnham
With not one but two sandy beaches you can swim and paddle from, it’s easy to see why Frensham Great Pond is a popular local spot to cool off on a hot day.
Find the Source of the River Thames at Thames Head
It’s surprisingly hard to work out where the source of the Thames is. Is it bubbling Lyd Well? The marker stone in Trewsbury Mead? Or Seven Springs, some 14 miles
Meet Old Father Thames at St John’s Lock, Lechdale
Our challenge was to find the source of the Thames. We began at Buscot Lock, walking upstream to the river’s last lock and the statue of Old Father Thames,
Discover a Waterfall and Roman Ruins at Virginia Water
With woods and paths to explore, places to build hideouts, scooter and cycle tracks, a gorgeous waterfall, some lost ruins from Rome, and a wooden playground,
Paddle Amongst the Ruins of Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
Scattered along the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth are what remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. Today the area has been reclaimed by nature and
Stroll Through a Fairy Tale at Rushmere, Leighton-Linslade
Walking through the forest at Rushmere Country Park is like strolling through a fairy tale. It feels every bit the enchanted forest with fairy doors, giants’ chairs
Catch the Story Characters Hiding in Leighton-Linslade
Something magical has happened in Leighton-Linslade. Storybook characters, and their belongings, have escaped from their books and hidden themselves
Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, Leighton-Linslade
Parson’s Close Recreation Ground is the play area at the end of the magical Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail. If you visit, you will see that something magical has happened
Create Your Own Expotition Through Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest is a place to make your own magical memories, inspire your children to run wild, and fall in love with Pooh Bear again. With preparation, you can explore
Play Poohsticks at Pooh Bridge, Hartfield, Ashdown Forest
The windswept purple heath and woodland of Ashdown Forest inspired A.A. Milne to write about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin and friends.
Visit the Pooh’seum and Tea Rooms at Pooh Corner, Hartfield
Built in the sweet shop that A.A. Milne and Christopher Robin used to visit, Pooh Corner is the perfect place to stop for a smackeral of honey when exploring
Climb the Dragon at Broomhall Recreation Ground, Sunningdale
A smiling dragon watches over Broomhall Recreation Ground, a traditional-style play area with a range of play and sports equipment. The play equipment is
Build Sand Castles at West Wittering Beach, Near Chichester
On a sunny day, the sparkling, white sands and cool, blue waters of West Wittering Beach make you feel like you are abroad. The sand is soft and makes great sandcastles