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.

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.

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.

Timberline Adventure Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• wooden climbing frames
• two slides
• a fireman’s pole 
• nets  
• ropes 
• wobbly bridges 
• climbing walls 
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Playwood Adventure Play Area

Playwood Adventure Play Area is the second of Alice Holt’s play areas and is next to the cafe. It is about a five minute walk from Timberline Play Area.

It has play equipment that includes:

• a large wooden climbing frame with a slide, tunnels, towers with easy to climb stairs, nets, a fireman’s pole and ladders 
• a smaller wooden climbing frame for younger children with a slide, a bridge, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden hut with a rope
• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is full of things to do – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, orienteering, adventure play areas and even story book characters like the Gruffalo…

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.    

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Play Trail leads you past both adventure play areas and hides huge play sculptures.

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: November 2022
Information Checked: February 2025

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

The Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area

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

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

The Frimley Lodge Park Play Areas

From the Basingstoke Canal Centre you can walk for about 20 minutes to the well-equipped Frimley Lodge Park, which has another two play areas.

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, coots, moorhens, birds, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Basingstoke Canal Centre and Play Area in Mytchett 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.

The Jubilee Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a tractor to play on
• a wooden house with a slide, climbing wall, fireman’s pole and ladder
• a zip wire
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a spinning, rope climbing frame
• a balance course and
• a picnic table.

Next to the play area is a small football pitch with a two goals.

Nearest Town: Tilford, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 2AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are parking spaces next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

Our visit to the Jubilee Play Area in Tilford, near Farnham, 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.

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.

The Phillips Memorial Park Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a multiplay and slide with nets and easy to climb stairs 
• a wooden climbing frame with a net
• an obstacle course 
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a little wooden slide for smaller children 
• a boat
• a spinning cup
• seats.

The play area is in a large field with a meadow, pond and a riverside walk. 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in one of the local cafes, pubs or restaurants.
Facilities: Picnic table, toilets, accessible toilets, snacks, ice cream.

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

Parking: Crown Court Car Park is next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: From £1.10 per hour. 

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to The Phillips Memorial 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.

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.

Kestrel Corner Play Area

Kestrel Corner Play Area is a wooden play area that is an easy ten minute walk from the house. 

It has equipment including:

• a wooden multiplay with a slide and musical instruments 
• a climbing frame
• an obstacle course with stumps, logs and a wobbly bridge
• toddler swings 
• swings 
• a basket swing
• a tunnel and 
• seats.

The House and Lawn

The house is picture perfect.

It has views over the surrounding hills, which you can enjoy from deckchairs. 

Natural Play Areas

Scattered along the trails are natural play areas to enjoy with stumps, logs, dens

and also a bird hide.

Nearest Town: Great Bookham, near Dorking
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RH5 6BD

Adult Cost Range: From £15
Child Cost Range: From £8
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Opens: Daily (with some winter closures)

Where to Eat: There is a cafe, food vendors and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, a shop, picnic areas toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: £4 or free with National Trust membership

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, bees, insects and birds.

Information Written: April 2023

Our visit to Polesden Lacey and Kestrel Corner Play Area in Great Bookham, near Dorking 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.

Buscot Village Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a large circular obstacle course with nets, tyres, ropes, logs and bridges 
• swings
• toddler swings
• a picnic table. 

Nearest Town: Buscot, near Faringdon and Swindon
County: Oxfordshire 
Nearest Postcode: SN7 8DA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at Buscot Village Tea-Rooms.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: Pay and display car park. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £2 for two hours for non-members. 

Information Written: August 2023

Our visit to Buscot Village Play Area in Faringdon, near Swindon, 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.

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Adventure Play is a paid for adventure play area. All adults and children aged 2 to 17 years must pay to enter. Children under 2 years old enter free but cannot use the equipment.

The equipment includes a huge series of wooden huts and tree houses with climbing walls

nets, tunnels, slides and ladders

rope bridges, wobbly bridges, balancing logs and poles as well as all kinds of slides

a zip wire for toddlers and a village with a post office, puzzle boards, tunnels and more slides.

There is also a sand play area with another slide

and a water play area with a water pump

picnic tables and a covered seating area.

Obelisk Lawn Play Area

A very short walk from Adventure Play and The Savill Garden is the Obelisk Lawn toddler play area.

This has equipment for children from 2 to to 9 years old that includes:

• toddler swings
• a seesaw
• a springer
• a covered sand play area
• a multiplay with a slide, a bridge and easy to climb steps
• game boards
• fun house style mirrors and
• a partially sunken wooden ship with climbing nets, a steering wheel and a crow’s nest.

The Savill Garden

A short walk takes you to the Savill Garden and its tea rooms.

Obelisk Pond

In the other direction is Obelisk Pond, which has lots of ducks and waterbirds to feed as well as scooter and bike friendly paths.

Walking or Scooting to Virginia Water

A longer walk takes you through the beautiful Valley Gardens to Virginia Water Lake and the Totem Pole. 

The children and I scooted there in ten to fifteen minutes. 

Nearest Town: Virginia Water, Englefield Green
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0UJ

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £12 for two hours
Child Cost Range: £13 to £16 for two hours
Free if: Under 2 years old

Where to Eat: Cafe next to the play area with indoor and outdoor tables, also a restaurant in the Savill Garden Visitor Centre.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets inside the nearby Savill Garden Visitor Centre.

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

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: Included with your tickets (normally from £3.10 per hour in the Savill Garden car park.)

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

Information Written: September 2023

Our visit to Adventure Play at The Savill Garden in Virginia Water is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.