Netley Park

Royal Victoria Country Park stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building. 

Today, all that remains of the quarter of a mile long building is the central chapel, but by walking around the park you can get a sense of its enormous scale.

This photo was taken from one end of the hospital building – the chapel was the middle of the building, there was a whole other wing on the other side!

Southampton Water

The country park overlooks Southampton Water, which has a busy, slightly industrial feel – boats of all sizes regularly sail past and there is what looks like a refinery on the opposite shore.

The Beach

The shingle beaches are covered in little shells.

We collected about thirty in ten minutes.

There are ramps down onto the beach for easy access. In other places you have to jump!

Rock Pools and Crabbing

It might not look like it, but rock pools form amongst the pebbles along the beach.

If you look closely, you may spot a crab!

We managed to find quite a few.

Then let them go and watched as they buried themselves again.

Royal Victoria CP Story Trail

The Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park“ and follows Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time…with a little help from your children.

And There’s More

The park also has fields to play in

a miniature railway called the Royal Victoria Railway

a permanent orienteering course (course map available from the Visitor Centre), family activities and a fairy garden…

…with a huge picnic table guarded by a wizard!

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

The Paths

The fields were dry and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along.  

Some still show signs of the past.

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The Royal Victoria Country Park Adventure Play Area play equipment includes things like:

• a large wooden fort with slides, tunnels, nets, a wobbly bridge and easy to climb ramps
• lots of different swings
• a roundabout
• a music wall
• a multiplay for younger children.

Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: The Cedar Rooms cafe and restaurant or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There are several, good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seagulls, waterbirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Snaprails Park 

Scattered across Snaprails park are fields

a pond

streams

woods

and towering Wellingtonia trees.

There is also a willow tunnel, cycle-way

and picnic area.

The Paths

The paths are well surfaced and buggy friendly. 

Snaprails Park Play Area

The play area has equipment designed for children aged between 2 and 14 years that includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• accesible swings
• a basket swing
• a small multiplay with a slide
• a roundabout

• springers
• a larger multiplay with a small climbing wall, rope bridge and small zip wire
• a seesaw 
• a small obstacle course
• seats.

Nearest Town: Sandhurst, near Crowthorne
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 9AW or GU47 9RQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: Not the easiest but you can try to find somewhere to park on the nearby roads or in the little lay-by at the end of Evenlode Way (GU47 9RQ).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, birds and butterflies.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Snaprails Park and Play Area in Sandhurst, near Crowthorne, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Trails

Various trails criss-cross Alice Holt Forest. Some are easy access, others are wilder.  Some are flat, others have steep hills. They are all marked and there are free maps available.

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt Forest is one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog.  At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.  

You buy a map bursting with activities to try along the trail – drawings to colour, puzzles to ponder and woodland things to spot.  

Along the way you also come face to face with characters from the stories, including the Gruffalo, Stick Man and the Gruffalo’s child.

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Habitat Trail leads you past both adventure play areas 

and also hides huge play sculptures.

The Adventure Play Areas

Alice Holt has two adventure play areas.

Playwood Adventure Play Area is next to the cafe and has large wooden climbing frames, slides and swings.

Timberline Adventure Play Area is a five minute walk from Playwood and is a huge, circular obstacle course with wooden climbing frames, slides, bridges and nets. 

Other Activities

Alice Holt also has an Activity Centre and Shop that offers cycle hire 

table tennis 

volleyball 

and badminton.

There is also orienteering 

Go Ape 

and lots of picnic spots to try.

The Cafe 

This is located next to the main entrance and Visitor Centre.  You can its picnic tables to eat food you have bought there or brought from home. 

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, hire a barbecue or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue hire, cafe, ice creams, drinks, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and the Alice Holt Adventure Play Areas in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Big and Small Flashes

There are two types of flashes. The big flashes are lakes that predate the canal.

The smaller flashes are natural depressions that flooded when the canal was created. 

This bridge hides…

…a gorgeous lake!

Along this section of the canal you find Anglers’ Flash, Greatbottom Flash, Rushmoor Flash and Claycart Flash.  

Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you on a 3 mile walk from the Basingstoke Canal Centre in Mytchett 

to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot. 

This is not a circular path. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at the Basingstoke Canal Centre, which has a play area and cafe. 

Then you pass two areas where the canal opens up – Mytchett Lake and Anglers’ Flash. 

From here it is on to the Ash Aqueduct, which flies the canal over the A331

and on to Ash Lock.

Along the way you go under bridges, 

some of which are very low

and come complete with graffiti!

Your destination is Wellesley Woodlands with its paths, brass rubbing and activity trails. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal with plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks. 

You can often spot hidden herons…

…and a fox ran out across the path when I was cycling. 

The Walk or Cycle

This section of the towpath is 3 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 2.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace.

I often cycle this route and it takes about 30 minutes to go from the Canal Centre to Wellesley Woodlands. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but can be muddy in places if it has been raining. The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along. 

There is a road crossing at Ash Lock, so you need to take care. 

Where to Next?

North – Section 5: The Deepcut Flight between Curzon Bridge and the Canal Centre    

South – Section 7: Wellesley Woods to Fleet to Crookham Wharf

Nearest Town: Mytchett or Aldershot (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD (the Canal Centre). GU11 2RE (Wellesley Woodlands).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or eat at a cafe or pub along the way. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at Ash Lock and also at Wellesley Woodlands.  There is a cafe and picnic area at the Canal Centre. You also pass a canal-side pub, The Swan, just before you reach Ash Vale. At Ash Vale there are shops and a cafe. 

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car at the Basingstoke Canal Centre (GU16 6DD) and a second at Wellesley Woodlands (GU11 2RE).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to the Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you on a 2.75 mile walk from Curzon Bridge in Deepcut 

to the Canal Centre in Mytchett. This is not a circular path. 

The Deepcut Flight

Section 5 includes the last 3 locks of Deepcut Flight, which is a series of 14 locks on the Basingstoke Canal between Pirbright and Surrey Heath. 

In total these locks raise boats by nearly 100 feet in just 2 miles!

The Locks

The locks have two enormous wooden doors at each end with huge levers. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at Curzon Bridge, a modern bridge that shelters Lock 25 

and leads you past Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, one with a castle theme 

and a second with a woodland feel.  

About a ten to twenty minute walk further down the Basingstoke Canal takes you to the end of this section and the Basingstoke Canal Centre. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal with plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks. 

You often spot herons too, either frozen in the canal or wobbling along the path itself. 

The Walk 

This section of the towpath is 2.75 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 2 hours, walking at a child’s pace.

I often cycle this route and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the Canal Centre from Curzon Bridge. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but does rise a little along this stretch. This means that at each lock there is a little hill but nothing we found strenuous. 

The towpath can be muddy in places so be sure to bring wellies if it has been raining.

The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along. 

There is a road crossing and then a section where you walk along a road so you need to take care. 

Where to Next?

North – Section 4: The Deepcut Flight between Pirbright Bridge and Curzon Bridge    

South – Section 6: Canal Centre to Ash Lock to Wellesley Woods

Nearest Town: Deepcut or Mytchett (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU24 0DN (from Deepcut). The Deepcut postcode will take you to Stanley Hill, which is as close to the Deepcut lay-by as possible to direct with postcodes. The lay-by is actually next to the railway bridge on Gapemouth Road. For the exact location, please see the Where To Go Map as the marker called “Basingstoke Canal Walk 05 – Deepcut to Frimley Green to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre” points to the lay-by. GU16 6DD (from Mytchett). 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at lock 28.  There is a cafe and picnic area at Frimley Lodge Park and the Canal Centre. 

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car in the lay-by on Gapemouth Road (GU24 0PQ – see above for details) and a second car at the Basingstoke Canal Centre (GU16 6DD).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to the Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from Curzon Bridge in Deepcut to the Canal Centre in Mytchett is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area

Next to the Canal Centre is a wooden play area with:

• toddler swings
• a springer
• a balance course with nets, tightropes, log stumps, a climbing wall, balance beams and rope swings.

So Much To Do!

There is a wide range of activities on offer: hire boats and canoes, walk to Frimley Lodge, play in the fields, enjoy the towpath,

take narrow boat trips, explore woods and ponds, choose a picnic spot or check out the playground.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

The Canal Centre has information on the canal, a gift shop, a campsite, and public toilets. 

There is also a cafe that serves a selection of refreshments, has indoor tables, and outdoor picnic benches.

Potters’ Pond

Behind the Canal Centre is a pond dipping area 

and a wild woodland 

with paths, ponds, and bridges.

The Towpath

I use an all-terrain buggy when we walk on the towpath. It is generally even but there are quite a few stones, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy. 

We also enjoy cycling along the towpath down to Frimley Lodge Park 

or further afield to see the giant locks that line the Deepcut Flight. 

Explore the Canal on Foot

The Basingstoke Canal has about 33 miles of towpath. 

From the Canal Centre you can walk for about 20 minutes at a slow pace to the well-equipped Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, a trim trail, sports facilities, and a cafe. 

It also has the Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway, which has public running days at various times during the year. 

Explore the Canal by Water

You can also take a trip on Rosebud, a small narrow boat. Trips last about an hour but only run on a limited number of days. 

At certain times of the year rowing boats, canoes and pedalos are available to hire from the Canal Centre too.

The Swing Bridge Closes…

The swing bridge at the Canal Centre closes towards the end of the afternoon. The exact time is usually stated on a sign on the bridge. 

After it closes, you can reach the Canal Centre by crossing the canal at the nearby road bridge, although there is a flight of steps to climb up.

…and so Does the Barrier!

There is a barrier at the entrance to the car park that closes at the end of the day. You cannot enter the car park after it has closed but you can leave – just drive up to the barrier and it will lift. 

Nearest Town: Mytchett, near Farnborough
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD

Opens: The canal is open daily but the Canal Centre has seasonal opening hours. Please see their website for details. 

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, ice creams, and toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: About 2 hours.
Buggies: I use an all terrain buggy as the tow path is generally even but has quite a few stones on it, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy.

Parking: There are two car parks, one just through the entry barrier and another tucked away past the Canal Centre. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Basingstoke Canal Centre and Play Area in Mytchett, near Farnborough, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut. 

The is a picturesque two mile walk past 11 of the 14 locks in the Deepcut Flight.

The Deepcut Flight

The Deepcut Flight is a series of 14 locks on the Basingstoke Canal between Pirbright and Surrey Heath.  In total these locks raise boats by nearly 100 feet in just 2 miles!

The Locks

The locks have two enormous wooden doors at each end with huge levers. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at Lock 15, which is next to Pirbright Bridge 

and a conveniently placed car park.   

Then heads under Cowshott Bridge to Lock 17.

The Bisley Bullet

Along the path are remnants of the Bisley Bullet, a railway line that connected Brookwood to nearby rifle ranges.  This line was closed in the 1950s, leaving only its brick piers.

Curzon Bridge

The path leads past another seven locks 

and ends at Curzon Bridge, a modern bridge that shelters Lock 25. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal and we spotted butterflies, caterpillars, spiders, ladybirds, newts, freshwater snails and lots of fish, including a large one that looked like a pike.

There were plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks.

The Walk 

This section of the towpath is 2 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 1.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace. I often cycle this route and it takes about 20 minutes to reach Pirbright Bridge from Curzon Bridge. 

Uphill or Downhill?

If you cycle or walk from the Deepcut to Pirbright you go down the hills.  If you cycle in the other direction, you are going uphill. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but does rise 100 feet along this stretch. This means that at each lock there is a little hill but nothing we found strenuous. 

It can be muddy in places so be sure to bring wellies if it has been raining.

The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along.

Where to Next?

North – Section 3: St John’s to Brookwood to Pirbright Bridge        

South – Section 5: Curzon Bridge to Frimley Green to Canal Centre

Nearest Town: Pirbright or Deepcut (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU24 0AG (on Pirbright Bridge) or GU24 0DN (from Deepcut). The Deepcut postcode will take you to Stanley Hill, which is as close to the Deepcut lay-by as possible to direct with postcodes. The lay-by is actually next to the railway bridge on Gapemouth Road. For the exact location, please see the Where To Go Map as the marker called “Basingstoke Canal Walk 05 – Deepcut to Frimley Green to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre” points to the lay-by.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at lock 28.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car at Pirbright Bridge (where there is room for several cars) and the other at the lay-by on Gapemouth Road (GU24 0PQ – see above for details).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to the Deepcut Flight and Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Lakeside Nature Reserve

A path leads around the lake

past the brass rubbing posts.

boardwalks

and woodland.

The River Blackwater

To find Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path, follow one of the paths next to the play area (heading away and to the right of the car park). 

The Paths

Most of the paths through the nature reserve are buggy friendly and easy to walk on. 

There are a few paths that are wilder too, like this path through the meadow. 

Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area

Next to the lake and the car park is the Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area.

The play equipment includes: 

• basket swing
• a climbing wall 
• rocks to climb on
• a zip wire 

• a spinning seesaw
• a large spinning seesaw (which was fenced off)
• a spinning disc 
• picnic tables.

Nearest Town: Ash Vale, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic tables

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a good-sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds and insects.

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2022

Our visit to Lakeside Nature Reserve is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Nymphs and the Boggart

This is a story trail called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart” leads you around the meadow, telling tales of magical creatures. 

It is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 6: M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

At 1.5 miles long, this section is one of the shortest. The path starts near Frimley Station 

and leads you over the A331 dual carriageway

and into a business park. 

Then it passes under the M3 

and on to Hawley Meadows, a traditional floodplain meadow. 

From here it is just a short walk to Blackwater Park. 

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

Paths Along Section 6

The paths are the first along the Blackwater Path that do not have hard surfacing suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. 

The path varies from surfaced 

to mud 

to gravel 

to rutted grass.

We found the paths easy to use on foot or by bike but they can be narrow and there are patches of stinging nettles and brambles to battle past. 

There is a road crossing at Frimley, which you need to cross with care.  

Please see the Section 6 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We would go back to Hawley Meadows and the story trail.

We may also cycle up to the M3 Bridge and down to Blackwater Park but would start and finish at the Hawley Meadows car park.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 5: Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

Downstream – Section 7: Blackwater Park to Sandhurst Station

Nearest Town: Frimley, Blackwater, Camberley
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for M3 Bridge/Frimley Station/Burrell Road: GU16 7QH or GU16 7JG
Nearest Postcode for Blackwater Park/Hawley Meadows: GU15 3DT or GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The paths can be uneven and there is no surfacing at all through some parts of Hawley Meadows.

Parking: To park near the M3 Bridge you can park at Frimley Station (GU16 7QH) or Burrell Road Car Park (GU16 7JG). You can try to park along the road at Blackwater Park (GU15 3DT) but it is easier to use the car park at Hawley Meadows (GU15 3YH).
Cost of Parking: Frimley Station is pay and display. The other car parks are free.

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects. Perhaps even some nymphs and boggarts!

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path from the M3 Bridge in Frimley to Blackwater Park in Camberley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 5: Coleford Bridge to M3 Bridge

This is 2 miles long and starts near Coleford Bridge and the Kingfisher on the Quay pub. 

An alternative starting point, about ten minutes away, is Rectory Road Play Area.

The route takes you over a track with lots of puddles that sits next to the A331,

under a bridge with graffiti covered supports 

and then along the tree lined River Blackwater. 

This section has some of the best views of the river we have found so far. 

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  

These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

Paths Along Section 5

The paths along Section 5 are said to have hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We found the paths to be flat but uneven in places and sometimes very, very muddy. 

This picture might look like it’s the river but it’s actually the path! 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 5 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

As for Section 4, almost the whole of Section 5 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs along the A331 dual carriageway.

We found being so close to the dual carriageway very noisy and will not walk along this section again. 

However, we find the noise less intrusive when cycling and this is a largely traffic free cycle route we often use. 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Downstream – Section 6: M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

Nearest Town: Farnborough, Frimley
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Coleford Bridge/Rectory Road: GU14 7HX
Nearest Postcode for M3 Bridge/Frimley Station/Burrell Road: GU16 7QH or GU16 7JG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The surface can be very uneven.

Parking: To park near Coleford Bridge is tricky but we were able to park at Rectory Road Play Area (GU14 7HX) and walk to the Blackwater Valley Path. To park near the M3 Bridge you can park at Frimley Station (GU16 7QH) or Burrell Road Car Park (GU16 7JG).
Cost of Parking: All free except Frimley Station, which is pay and display.

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 5 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Coleford Bridge in Farnborough to M3 Bridge in Frimley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 4: Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

This is 2 miles long and starts near North Camp railway station. 

We parked at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is very near to the station and also has a play area. 

From here the path follows not just the River Blackwater 

but also the A331 dual carriageway. The road noise can be overpowering. 

There are places to stop and rest along the way,

some pretty views of the River Blackwater 

and also the local concrete and recycling plants. 

This section of the path ends at Coleford Bridge and the Kingfisher on the Quay pub. 

About ten minutes away is Rectory Road Play Area.

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  

These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

Paths Along Section 4

The paths along Section 4 are said to have hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We found the paths to be generally flat but uneven in places.  

They can also be very, very muddy.

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 4 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

Almost the entire section of the path runs along the A331 and it is very noisy.

There are some parts of the walk where you walk directly beside the dual carriageway. Whilst we will not be going back to this section on a walk, it is a largely traffic free cycle route that we do use.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Downstream – Section 5: Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

Nearest Town: North Camp, Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG 
Nearest Postcode for Coleford Bridge/Rectory Road: GU14 7HX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Doable with buggies but be prepared for some narrow paths. 

Parking: To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG). To park near Coleford Bridge is harder but we were able to park at Rectory Road Play Area (GU14 7HX) and walk to the Blackwater Valley Path. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 4 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Hollybush Pits in North Camp to Coleford Bridge in Farnborough is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ash Embankment Aqueduct

Built in 1994, the Ash Aqueduct carries the Basingstoke Canal over the A331 dual carriageway and the River Blackwater. 

Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path leads underneath the aqueduct and from down below it looks like a normal road bridge.  

This makes climbing the bridge and discovering a canal a stunning surprise, especially on a sunny day.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

This is 2 miles long and starts at Shawfields or Rowan Field. 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is a convenient place to park near Shawfields.  

Follow the path across the field to a small bridge and turn left onto the Blackwater Valley Path. 

The path will lead you over footbridges

up to the Basingstoke Canal

past Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area

over a couple of roads you need to cross with care 

through narrow paths lined with brambles and stinging nettles 

along the river 

finally ending at North Camp railway station 

and the Old Ford Pub. 

Carrington Recreation Ground

We continue on for a couple of minutes to play at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is also where we park.

River Blackwater

Along Section 3 of the path, the River Blackwater starts to feel like a fully sized river complete with weeds waving in the currents. 

River access becomes very difficult because of the wild vegetation growing alongside. 

Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  

These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

Paths Along Section 3

The paths along Section 3 are generally flat with a few gentle inclines and easy to use.  

The paths after Lakeside Nature Reserve can be very narrow, overgrown and muddy with patches of stinging nettles and brambles. 

There is hard surfacing that is said to suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We have all used scooters along this section between Shawfields and Lakeside Nature Reserve without too much difficulty, although the surface can be uneven in places and there are often stones or branches to dodge. 

But the path around Hollybush Pits does not feel like it is surfaced. In some areas it has large chunks of rock and brick sticking out of the ground. This wasn’t a problem for a bike but I have taken a scooter this way before and couldn’t use it. 

We now don’t take scooters beyond Lakeside Nature Reserve.

Would We Go Back?

We probably wouldn’t go back to the whole of Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path because of the paths around Hollybush Pits. 

Instead, we follow a different and circular route!

A Circular Alternative!

We often cycle along the first half of Section 3, beginning at Ivy Road Recreation Ground and cycling for about ten minutes to the Ash Aqueduct.

From here we either follow the Basingstoke Canal tow path 

to Ash Vale for an ice cream, which takes another ten minutes.

From Ash we cycle back to the aqueduct and rejoin the Blackwater Valley Path North and cycle to Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area, which is about a five minute cycle from the aqueduct. 

After Lakeside Play Area we cycle back to the aqueduct and then Ivy Road, which takes about 20 minutes.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Downstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Nearest Town: Ash, Ash Vale, North Camp
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Shawfields/Ivy Road: GU12 4XG
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly up to Lakeside Nature Reserve but can be harder going afterwards. 

Parking: To park near Shawfields, we go to Ivy Road (GU12 4XG) – drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre. To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Shawfields in Ash to Hollybush Pits in North Camp is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Four and Five Leaf Clovers

Most clovers have three leaves 

but some have four leaves 

and others have five leaves!  

These special clovers are hard to find. I’ve read that the odds of spotting a four leaf clover are 1 in 10,000 and a five leaf clover are 1 in 100,000. 

When I was little, I read that finding a four leaf clover is lucky and finding a five leaf clover is even luckier so you should only ever give a five leaf clover to someone you love very much.  

Where to Look for Clovers

To give yourself the best chance of finding one and surprising your special someone, have a look amongst the clovers that line the Blackwater Valley Path from Ivy Road Recreation Ground

to just before the main road crossing in Aldershot. 

Here there are enormous clovers so extra leaves are easier to spot. 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 2: Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Section 2 is 2.25 miles long. It starts at Pea Bridge in Badshot Lea and follows the river 

past the well-equipped Aldershot Park and Play area 

and along to a main road. 

This is a fast road so be careful when you cross.  

Beyond this road, the path hugs the river again

and is lined with vegetation and giant clovers.  

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is to your left on the other side of the river

and is accessed by a small bridge. 

Shawfields is at the same point on the path but to your right.  

To find the pond at Rowan Field, 

you need to go diagonally across Shawfields (follow the noise of the dual carriageway!) and go up and over the A331. 

The River Blackwater

Along Section 2 of the path, the River Blackwater grows wider and deeper and you start to see ducks, Canada geese and other water birds. 

There are stretches where you can access the river, for example at Aldershot Park 

but for much of Section 2 the river is hard to reach, either because the banks are steep 

or it is guarded by towering plants.

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

The Paths Along Section 2

The path along Section 2 is easy to use and flat.  There are patches that can be overgrown and where you have to go through stinging nettles and brambles. 

It has hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. I found using a scooter harder as the surface is too uneven in places for little wheels. 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 2 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We often cycle along this stretch of the River Blackwater, starting at Aldershot Park and Play Area and cycling to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and then on to Rowan Field and Shawfield Recreation Ground. 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

Downstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Nearest Town: Badshot Lea, Aldershot and Ash
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).
Nearest Postcode for Ivy Road: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down. To park near Shawfields, we go to Ivy Road (GU12 4XG) – drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Pea Bridge in Aldershot to Shawfields in Ash is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

The Twelve Sections

Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Section 3:  Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Section 5:  Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

Section 6:  M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

Section 7:  Blackwater Park to Sandhurst Station

Section 8:  Sandhurst Station to Grove Lake

Section 9:  Grove Lake to Longwater Road

Section 10:  Longwater Road to Eversley Bridge

Section 11:  Eversley Bridge to Jouldings Lane

Section 12:  Jouldings Lane to Swallowfield

The Paths 

Most of the paths are flat and easy to walk along. 

Some stretches can be muddy after wet weather. 

Other areas can be narrow

or lined with stinging nettles.  

Some run next to the A331 dual carriageway. 

Others involve crossing roads.  Please do this with care. 

Multi-User Surfaces

Sections 2 to 5 have a hardened surface suitable for multi-users, including wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs. 

Cycling

Cycling is permitted between Sections 2 and Blackwater Park, which is about halfway along Section 6.  

Scooters

I have scooted from Section 2 to the start of Section 6 but would not do it again as the surfaces can be too uneven for little wheels. 

The A331 Blackwater Valley Relief Road

The A331 was built along the River Blackwater and Sections 2 to 5 of the path run alongside this dual carriageway.  

These stretches can be very noisy and have an industrial feel. 

Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust look after and protect the natural environment of the Blackwater Valley.  

Their website has useful information and also full details of the Black Water Valley Path.

Nearest Town: Various depending on which section you visit. Please see the individual sections for full details.  
County: Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: Varies depending on which section you visit.  Please see the individual sections for full details. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or stop along the way.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There:  Usually a couple of hours on one section. 
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Various depending on which section you visit. Please see the individual sections for full details.  
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, Canada geese, swans, coots, moorhens, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

The Blackwater Valley Path has too many sections to be able to summarise all 23 miles accurately.  Instead, please see the 12 sections for individual summaries. 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is better suited to older children as it could be hard for younger children to use independently.

The equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• a spinner that you dangle under
• a climbing frame with nets and nests of baskets.

Next to the play area is a basketball court, football pitch 

and a field.

The Blackwater River

The River Blackwater flows along the edge of the field, followed by Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path, which is surfaced so you can ride, scooter and walk along it. 

To find the Blackwater River, follow the path across the field to the tree line where there is a little bridge. 

Rowan Field

If you cross the bridge and a walk a short distance in either direction along the Blackwater Valley Path, you come to the entrance to Rowan Field.  

This is a nature reserve split in half by the A331.   

Finding Ivy Road Play Area

To find the play area using GU12 4XG, drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre.

Nearest Town: North Town, Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic table.

How Long We Spent There: 30 minutes
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the playground. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, birds, ducks and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

Our visit to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area in North Town, Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hawley Meadows Today

Life has moved on during the last 100 years and the modern world now surrounds the meadows – they are bordered by the M3 and the A331 as well as an industrial estate.

The continuous drone of road noise detracts from the picturesque surroundings of the rolling fields, lazy river and wading herons.

Hawley Meadows

This is an area of floodplain meadow with a river walk, bridges to play Poohsticks.

The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart

It also has a Story Trail called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart” which leads you around the meadow, telling tales of wood nymphs, water nymphs and a cheeky boggart.

The Paths around Hawley Meadows

There is a path around the outside of the meadows, which took us about an hour to walk around at a slow pace.

 

The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is 23 miles long, marked by signposts and divided into 12 sections.  

These sections follow the river, are not circular and do not finish where they start.  

Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs through Hawley Meadows. It is a walking and also cycling trail but is not hard surfaced.

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail. 

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Nearest Town: Camberley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly but with some uneven paths.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, birds and butterflies.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Hawley Meadows in Camberley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Play Area for Younger Children

The first play area is for younger children up to the age of 12 years and has:

• a sand play area
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a seesaw
• a play house
• spinners
• a roundabout and
• an entertaining multiplay with three slides, nets, a climbing wall, fireman’s poles, binoculars, a loud hailer and an easy access ramp.

Play Area for Older Children

The second play area is for older children and has:

• various swings
• a basket swing
• an obstacle course 
• a climbing pole
• a rope climbing frame
• a trampoline
• a much larger slide that can be reached by climbing ropes, a climbing wall or a ladder and 
• picnic tabes.

Sports Grounds

Also at Aldershot Park are football, rugby and cricket pitches. 

Scooters and Bikes

A scooter track runs through the play area. 

There is also a surfaced path that runs around the outside of the play area and past the lake, which you can cycle or scooter along. 

The Lake

Around the outside of the play areas is a fishing lake with ducks, swans and geese. 

Parkside’s Cafe in the Park

There are also picnic tables, public toilets and Parkside’s Cafe in the Park, a cafe run by a local charity.

Blackwater Valley Path

If you fancy a walk then head over the playing fields towards the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Valley Path where we found butterflies, ducks and caterpillars. 

Aldershot Park is on Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path. 

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4BP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at Parkside’s Cafe in the Park. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

Our visit to Aldershot Park and Play Area in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Moor Road Play Area

The pirate and sea-themed play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings 
• spinning swings 
• a basket swing 
• a rope swing
• a pirate ship multiplay with slides, a tube slide, bridges, nets and a built in zip slide
• a multiplay shaped like another pirate ship with a cannon and telescope
• a slide lighthouse
• other smaller multiplays for younger children with slides and activities 

• a wobbly pirate ship
• sea creature springers 
• an obstacle course 
• accessible roundabout 
• a trampoline
• a spinning climbing frame 
• puzzle boards
• seats and picnic tables. 

Sports Facilities

Next to the play area is a large field with football pitches and a multi-gym.  

There is also a BMX pump track, which some children use scooters on as well as a multi-use games area with basketball nets.

Cove Brook

Running along one side of the recreation ground is Cove Brook, which has a two mile long path running along it. 

Nearest Town: Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU14 8HW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: February 2023