Zebon Copse Junior Play Area

This is for children aged between 3 and 12 years and has:

• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps, a cargo net, a climbing wall, and fireman’s pole
• a roundabout that you pedal around
• an obstacle course with bouncy mushrooms
• toddler swings.

Zebon Copse Adventure Play Area

This is for children aged up to 14 years old and the equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• swings
• a long obstacle course with scramble nets, swinging ropes, balance beams, wobbly logs and log stumps
• rocks with climbing walls. 

There is also a sport wall with a football goal and basketball net

and a large field.

A Circular Walk Along the Basingstoke Canal

If you keep walking past the adventure play area, through the trees, you will come to a little hill

with views from the top (currently of a housing development construction site – so don’t expect tranquility) and a seat.

Continue walking over the hill and down the other side and you come to a little road. Turn right and the Basingstoke Canal is just a short walk away.

Turn right along the canal and keep walking until you come to the swing bridge.

Cross the bridge and you pick up the main path through Zebon Copse Nature Reserve.

Zebon Copse Nature Reserve

From here, you can either go straight back to the car park and play areas by following the main path into the nature reserve and taking the first right.

Alternatively, you can take the first left, which leads you over the nature reserve’s wild-feel boardwalk.

This stretch of boardwalk is a loop that explores the pond and mire

before finishing back on the main path between the bridge and the play area car park.

There are maps on boards along the way to guide your walk.

Nearest Town: Church Crookham, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU52 0ZE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

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

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Zebon Copse Play Area in Church Crookham, near Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jurassic Park Play Area

The playground has equipment that includes:

• a huge slide accessed by a climbing wall inside a tube
• an obstacle course with a climbing wall, nets, a tyre and a basket
• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb stairs and a Humpty Dumpty play board
• a toddler swing

• a basket swing
• a monster springer
• a roundabout (that was missing seats when we visited)
• a zip wire.

Next to the play area is a basketball court.

A Monster Tube Slide

The slide’s chute can only be reached by climbing up the inside of a vertical tube.

It’s basically a climbing wall inside a tube so is not suitable for younger children.

Finding The Play Area

To reach the play area from the Great Hollands car park, face the shops and take the path on the right through some trees (as in the photo). Keep walking for a couple of minutes and you will see the play area looming above you on the left.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 8UX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: A nearby shop with drinks, ice creams, snacks.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: The best car park we could find was at Great Hollands Community Centre (RG12 8UX), which has a large car park and some shops where you can buy refreshments.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

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

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area

The play area equipment includes:

• swings 
• toddler swings
• a climbing multiplay for older children
• a multiplay for younger children 

• a roundabout
• a springer seesaw
• a traditional seesaw
• seats.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Splash Pad

This paddling pool is for children of up to 11 years. 

Boat Trips 

Various boat trips are available up and down the River Thames.

The Runnymede Memorials

The water-meadows of Runnymede are where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215. 

There are a number of interesting memorials to discover in the meadows and woodland.

Nearest Town: Old Windsor, Egham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0AE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Runnymede Pleasure Grounds is buggy friendly but the walk to the Runnymede Memorials is trickier and takes you over grass and uneven paths.

Parking: There is a large car park. There is another National Trust car park at the other end of the meadows.
Cost of Parking: Pay and display. The National Trust car park is free for members.

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

Information Written: May 2021
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Runnymede Pleasure Grounds in Egham, near Windsor, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Play Area

Jocks Lane Play Area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a place for a tyre swing (but no tyre when we visited)
• a swinging seesaw
• a multiplay for younger children with a tunnel and a slide

• game boards
• musical pipes
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout.

Equipment for Older Children

There is also equipment for older children:

• a climbing frame obstacle course
• a spinner
• swings that spin
• a zip wire.

Jocks Lane Splash Pad

We spent most of our visit playing with the water jets in the Jocks Lane Splash Pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe giving it that holiday feeling. Further details can be found in the Jocks Lane Recreation Ground post.

The Recreation Facilities

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground also has numerous other things to do, including tennis courts,

mini golf

and a miniature railway, which operates on certain days of the year.

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 and other insects.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Play Area in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Sands Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• a hedgehog springer
• a frog springer 
• a seesaw
• swings
• toddler swings

• a spinner
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a double slide with a wooden ladder, a fireman’s pole and a climbing wall
• a wooden obstacle course 
• seats for adults.

Next to the play area is a big playing field with football goals and a basketball net.

Finding the Play Area

There is a small path to the play area next to The Sands Room (GU10 1LL).  

Nearest Town: The Sands, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1LL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road by The Sands Room, which is signposted and next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: June 2025

Our visit to The Sands Recreation Ground and Play Area in The Sands, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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 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 2024

Our visit to Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area in Ash Vale 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.

Petersfield Heath Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a tyre swing 
• a rocking horse 
• a slide built into the hill 
• a roundabout 

• springers 
• a multiplay with a slide and binoculars 
• a sunken pirate ship sand pit 
• a tunnel
• a wooden climbing frame obstacle course with a slide and climbing wall.

Next to the play area are picnic tables 

and The Plump Duck cafe.

Petersfield Heath

This is ancient heathland with a large pond 

boat hire 

and a circular trail. 

Nearest Town: Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU31 4LB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at The Plump Duck cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, 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: Lizards, insects, ducks, swans, geese, kingfishers and other birds.

Information Written: July 2022

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

King George V Playing Fields Play Area

The play equipment is said to be for children up to 14 years and includes:

• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• a tyre swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• a climbing frame for older children 

• equipment that spins, springs and slides 
• a rope climbing frame
• a multiplay with a small slide and bridge 
• an accessible multiplay with a slide
• a bendy slide with easy to climb steps and a climbing wall

• a seesaw springer 
• a cup spinner
• a slide for younger children shaped like a cannon and with easy to climb steps 
• musical instruments
• a picnic table
• seats. 

Sports Facilities

Next to the play area is a multi-gym, toilets

and a field. An ornamental pond is only a short walk away. 

Nearest Town: Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU14 6RE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

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

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to King George V Play Area and Playing Fields in Farnborough is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Broadwater Park Play Area

The play area is for children to the age of 14 years old. 

The equipment for younger children includes:

• a multiplay and slide a bridge
• a wooden climbing frame with a slide 
• a wooden play house 
• a sand pit with sand play equipment and mushrooms 
• a play house with seats and puzzle boards 
• a Simon says machine
• toddler swings
• a springer seesaw
• a car and motorbike springer
• a spinning cup.

The play equipment for older children includes:

• a climbing frame with bars and a climbing wall 
• a spinning ring 
• equipment to balance on 
• swings.

Broadwater Park Recreation Ground

Next to the play area are picnic tables

and a large field with cricket pitches.

Also Broadwater Park Multi Use Games Area 

and tennis courts.

Broadwater Park

This is a large park with fields, a tarmac path you can scooter along,

a pond next to the play area where you can feed ducks

and a huge lake with another picnic area. 

The Paths

The paths are generally flat and easy to walk on. Some are surfaced and others are muddy.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 1HR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park next to the park and near the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: July 2022

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

Little Beaulieu Adventure Play Area

This fantastic adventure play area has equipment that includes:

• a tube slide
• other slides
• a basket swing
• toddler swings 
• an obstacle course
• climbing walls 

• a fireman’s pole
• a zip wire
• talking tubes 
• musical instruments 
• puzzle boards.

There is also a Toddlers’ Play Area for children of 5 years and under, which has equipment that includes:

• the Beaulieu open-topped bus with a slide 
• a wooden play house with a bridge, ladders and a slide
• a sand pit with chutes, buckets and pulleys 
• picnic tables.

Secret Passages and Paintings

Inside the castle there are secret passages to find and explore, including one that goes behind a bookcase 

and paintings with moving eyes…

Role Play

There are places to role play too, including a race car

a jeep

a tractor 

and a petrol station. 

Beaulieu National Motor Museum 

At the heart of Beaulieu is the National Motor Museum, which as you’d expect is packed full of cars 

including famous cars like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 

Mr Bean’s mini.

The Monorail and Bus

Beaulieu is also home to the oldest monorail in England

and an open topped bus that drives you gently around the grounds. 

Nearest Town: Hythe, near Southampton in the New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7ZN

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details. 
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details. 
Free if: Under 5 years

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Cafe and picnic areas.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, shop, picnic areas, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

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

Information Written: January 2023

Our visit to Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Little Beaulieu Adventure Play Area in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Osbourne Road Play Area

The play equipment is said to be for children under 12 years and includes:

• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• a rope swing 
• swings that spin, including an accessible swing 
• a ship that rocks
• a climbing frame for older children with nets, a climbing wall and a fireman’s pole

• a seal seesaw springer 
• palm trees to climb along
• a slide for younger children shaped like a cannon and with easy to climb steps
• an octopus and a shark springer
• seats. 

Sports Facilities

Next to the play area is a basketball court 

and a field. 

Nearest Town: Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU14 6AF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road by the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: July 2022

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

Steep Play Area

The play area is opposite the church and has play equipment includes:

• swings
• a toddler swing
• a wooden multiplay with climbing walls, nets, a bridge and a slide
• picnic tables.

Next to the play area is a football pitch.

Northfield Wood

Next to the play area is a wood you can walk in. 

Mill Lane Waterfall

The mesmerizing Mill Lane Waterfall roars down a hill and under the road where it pools as a slow flowing stream.

The Ashford Hangers

The footpath next to the waterfall takes you over the stream and on towards the Ashford Hangers. The hangers are invigoratingly steep hillsides covered in clinging trees and with spectacular views. 

 

Nearest Town: Steep, near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 2DE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is no car park but you can park on the road next to the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, birds and deer.

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Steep Recreation Ground and Play Area in Steep, near Petersfield is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

So Much to Do!

Hobbledown has an unbelievable amount to do, including:

Crystallite Mines  

A sandy play area mining town where you use water, buckets and chutes to pan for little green Crystallite gems. You can swap an ounce of Crystallite (about twenty gems) for a lolly.

Fairy Tale Castle Play Area

Complete with tube slides, walkways, tunnels, a dragon and a fairy to save! 

It also has a water pillow to tackle, which is one of the strangest experiences – like you are walking on water. 

Hobbledown Village 

An adventure play area that is home to the Hobblers and has towers, tube slides

more walkways and bridges

obstacles to climb and a network of tunnels.  

Here you can also fly on Rumpletump and the double zip wire.  

The Imaginarium

An area with reptiles and insects

water play 

and an interactive jungle. 

Courtyard Play Village

This outdoor sand and water play area with a huge ball run is one of our favourite areas.  

Can you fill the tanks using this Rube Goldberg water machine ?!

Indoor Play Barn

An indoor play are that has a wooden climbing section with ball turrets, climbing walls and role play rooms

a second soft play frame with tubes and slides (including an area for the under 3s) 

and a cafe with indoor and outdoor tables. 

Animals

Hobbledown is also home to animals, including sheep, rheas

goats and wallabies.  

Characters and Books

Hobbledown sells books about the characters its adventure areas are based on. Details of how these can be bought are on the Hobbledown Epsom website. 

Next time we visit, I will read these stories to my children beforehand so they know who and what to look out for. 

Nearest Town: Epsom
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: KT19 8PT

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: From £11
Child Cost Range: From £11
Free if: Under 2 years.

Where to Eat: Cafe or picnic areas.
Facilities: Cafe, shop, snacks, picnic areas, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day
Buggies: Buggy friendly

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

Wildlife You Might See: Lemurs, armadillos, camels, meerkats, wallaby, prairie dog, otter, goats, maras, alpacas, rabbits, capybara, sheep, pigs, rheas and birds of prey.

Information Written: October 2022

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

Water Lane Play Area

The play equipment for younger children includes:

• toddler swings
• a multiplay with a slide and easy to climb steps 
• springers. 

There is also a play area for older children.

The play equipment for older children includes:

• obstacles and balancing beams
• nets 
• a spinning hoop
• a climbing frame and wall. 

There are seats, picnic tables and a field.  

Also a table tennis table 

basketball net 

and multi-use games area with basketball nets and football goals. 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road next to the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: July 2022

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

Longleat’s 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

Our visit to Adventure Castle Play Area at Longleat, near Warminster, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Normandy Common Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround the play area, giving it a shady, peaceful feel. 

The play equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw

• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall
• balance beams.

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather. Sometimes there are ducks on it. 

The pond is at the end of the stream in the woods on the other side of the road.

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of the enormous fir trees look feathered. It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel.

The Secret Orchard

The is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way. 

Nearest Town: Normandy, near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: April 2023
Information Checked: January 2024

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

Holybourne Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a circle of swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing 
• a zip wire 
• a multiplay with a slide, a bridge, a climbing wall and nets 

• a second multiplay with a slide 
• an obstacle course
• springers
• picnic tables
• seats. 

Next to the play area is a basketball half court and a football pitch. 

Nearest Town: Alton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU34 4HA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road next to the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Holybourne Play Area in Alton 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

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

Leighton-Linslade Childrens’ Trail

We spent a magical morning following the Children’s Trail

past old buildings, up winding mews and along busy streets.

Parson’s Close Play Area and Splash Pad

You arrive at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground towards the end of the story trail.

The large playground has towers, slides, nets, swings and a huge multiplay. There is also a sandy play area

and a super splash pad with jets of water. 

Rushmere Country Park

If you would like to continue the story trail theme then visit Rushmere Country Park for some fairy tale fun in the forest.

Nearest Town: Leighton-Linslade, Luton
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 1SD (or LU7 1HJ for the nearest car park)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There are cafes in Leighton-Linslade and places to picnic at Parsons’ Close.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, cafes and shops.

How Long We Spent There: 3.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Hockliffe Street car park (LU7 1HJ), which is at the start and finish of the trail. It is a pay and display car park and was busy when we visited on a week day.
Cost of Parking: From £1 per hour

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to Parson’s Close Recreation Ground and Splash Pad in Leighton-Linslade, near Luton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.