Locks Ride Play Area

Much of the play equipment is built over sand and includes:

• climbing nets to scramble over and under
• a spider’s web net
• a rope bridge
• a balance beam
• a slide set into a hill
• a basket swing

• a sand pit
• swings
• a toddler swing
• an accessible swing
• a trampoline
• a double zip wire.

Locks Ride Beach Area

The beach area has picnic tables and barbecues that must be pre-booked. 

Beside the play area is a multi-gym, two football pitches,

a cricket pitch and a pavilion.

Locks Ride Splash Pad

The Locks Ride Splash Pad is open from mid-May to mid-September. It’s lots of fun, especially on a hot day but can be very busy.

This has jets of water set into the floor and also overhead buckets, which gradually fill with water and then suddenly spill down onto the people below. 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, picnic area, barbecues.

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

Parking: Car park and they can open additional spaces for busy times.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Locks Ride Recreation Ground Play Area in Winkfield, Bracknell, 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.

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.

Queens Road Play Area and Recreation Ground

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

• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a multiplay with a slide and easy to climb stairs 
• a sand pit with chutes 
• a seesaw 
• an area for younger children with a little ship 

• hopscotch 
• a small obstacle course 
• things to balance on
• a spinner 
• a climbing frame for older children
• seats. 

Daily Mile Circuit 

Three laps of the field makes a mile! 

There is also a basketball court and football pitch. 

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

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

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Queens 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.

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.

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.

Obelisk Lawn Play Area

The play area has equipment that it says is suitable for children from 2 to to 9 years old and 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.

There are also dens in the rhododendrons to the left and right of the play area.

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Next to Obelisk Lawn is Adventure Play, a huge adventure play area that is a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

Please note: Adventure Play has an entry fee and pre-booked time slots.

The Savill Garden

A short walk from Obelisk Lawn Play Area takes you to The Savill Garden and its tea rooms.

Obelisk Pond

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

Walking to Virginia Water

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

It took us about fifteen minutes to scoot there, following the signs. 

Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0UJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe van next to the play area, picnic areas, restaurant in the nearby 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: 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: December 2016
Information Checked: September 2023

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

Rushmere Country Park

Rushmere CP is somewhere to head out into nature and explore.  

It is covered with sculptures, play spaces

trees and dens 

and is criss-crossed with footpaths, 

cycle routes and bridleways.

The Fairy Trail

The fairies hide along the short Access for all footpath, which has smooth, easy to walk along paths. 

We spotted a fairy dinner party

 fairy doors

sculptures 

and a reading chair for a giant.

Woodpecker Trail

Following the longer Woodpecker Trail (which is bumpier with a steep hill you go up and down) leads you deeper into the park, 

down a hill

past Stockgrove Lake 

and several play spaces.

The Play Areas

There are seven play spaces scattered across the park.

This includes a play area for younger children (those under the age of 6) and has equipment that includes a playhouse, roundabout, giant snails and a sand pit with a static digger machine. 

Also scattered along the trails are other pieces if play equipment, like a wobbly bridge and balancing stumps. 

Treetops Cafe

Treetops Cafe perches high on the hillside with beautiful views over a lake where herons breed.

Along the viewing balcony are tables and also binoculars you can use to look at the herons and their nests. 

The Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail

We visited Rushmere Country Park after trying the Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail. 

Nearest Town: Heath and Reach, near Leighton-Linslade
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 0EB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, ice cream, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic area.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The Access for all path is buggy friendly. The paths along the other trails vary, although I did see people with buggies on each one. 

Parking: Large car parks.
Cost of Parking: Various – please check their website for details.

Wildlife You Might See: Adders, insects, common lizards, herons and other birds.

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to Rushmere Country Park in Leighton-Linslade is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hartfield Town Croft Playground

This sandy play area has equipment that includes:

• a wooden climbing frame with nets, ropes and a climbing wall
• a slide with a ramp and ladder
• swings 
• toddler swings
• a basket swing 
• a spinning cup
• wooden train 
• a sand pit with a tree trunk and nets to climb on 
• a picnic table
• seats.

To find the play area, keep Pooh Corner on your left and walk down the road. The play area is a short walk and on the left.  

Pooh Corner Tea Rooms and Pooh’seum

Just a short walk from the Towncroft Play Area is Pooh Corner a tea room and museum dedicated to all things Winnie-the-Pooh.

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest is the magical heath and woodland that inspired A.A. Milne to write two books about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. 

You can find the houses of Pooh, Piglet and Owl

play Poohsticks on the bridge 

or walk through the real life places that inspired A.A. Milne. 

Nearest Town: Hartfield, Ashdown Forest
County: East Sussex
Nearest Postcode: TN7 4AG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

Where to Eat: Eat at Pooh Corner or bring a picnic and eat at the play area.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks, ice cream, a shop, toilets. 

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

Parking: No car park but there is free parking along the road outside. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, butterflies and birds.

Information Written: September 2022

Our visit to Hartfield Town Croft Play Area or Poohscape in Hartfield, Ashdown Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Broomhall Recreation Ground Play Area

The play equipment is for children to the age of 14 years and includes:

• toddler swings 
• swings
• a sand pit
• mushrooms you can jump on
• flowers you can talk into
• a dragon to climb

• a helter-skelter slide with easy to climb steps
• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps, a ladder and a net
• another multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps and a frog-studded climbing wall
• a rope climbing frame
• a tyre climbing frame
• a trampoline
• a spinner

• a short obstacle course
• a roundabout
• a rocking horse
• springers
• a seesaw springer
• a water play area.

Sports Facilities

There is sports equipment around the field that includes:

• an obstacle course
• a basket swing
• a multi-gym with spinning and swinging equipment
• a basketball net
• football goals
• cricket nets. 

There are also tennis courts you can prebook by visiting the Sunningdale parish website.

The Woods and Stream

Along the edge of the field is a little stream and a footpath that leads over a bridge (or a log if you are feeling brave!) into a small wooded area. 

If you follow this path you will eventually come to Sunningdale High Street.

Refreshments

There is a small refreshments kiosk with a sheltered picnic area and various seating areas scattered around the grounds.

The Library

A container library visits ons one days during the week. 

Nearest Town: Sunningdale, near Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 0QS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or buy food from the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic area, snacks, ice creams.

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

Parking: Car park by the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

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

The Bourne Play Area 

The play equipment includes:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a big slide reached by climbing a hill
• a tunnel
• climbing logs
• a sand play area
• a wooden climbing frame

• a basket swing
• a small multiplay with a slide, easy to climb stairs and climbing nets
• a roundabout 
• a small magnifying glass built into a post
• a picnic table
• seats.

The Sports Pitches 

Next to the play area there is a football pitch, a cricket pitch

and tennis courts.

The Cafe

At the bottom of the Recreation Ground is the Coffee Can on the Green, a small cafe that sells snacks, ice creams, drinks etc and has toilets that customers can use. 

Nearest Town: The Bourne, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3PR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat in the Coffee Can on the Green, buy something in the shop next to the play area or bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: A cafe with toilets and accessible toilets for customers, ice creams, snacks and a shop.

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

Parking: There is a car park at the end of the recreation ground (GU10 3PR).
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

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

Sandhurst Memorial Park Play Areas

The play equipment is divided between two areas, one for younger children and another for older children.

The enclosed area for younger children has:

• toddler swings
• springers
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• a sand play area with chutes and pulleys

• a swing for wheelchair users
• a small multiplay with a ramp and a slide
• a multiplay with ropes to climb, a ladder and a slide
• a larger multiplay with a slide, steps, a fireman’s pole, a bridge and a little house
• boards with games and puzzles
• a zip wire.

The area for older children has equipment including:

• a long slide set into a hillside
• climbing rocks
• a basket swing
• swings
• spinning swings
• a wooden climbing frame
• an obstacle course.

Sports Areas

Dotted around the park are football pitches, tennis courts, cricket facilities, a basketball court and a skate park.

Near the skate park is a cafe with a seating area that serves refreshments and ice creams.

The Pond

Behind the play area is a picturesque pond covered with ducks, swans, gulls and coots.

Go Wild in Sheperd Meadows

Sandhurst Memorial Park also has some wild areas. In the corner is Seeby’s Copse, an area of ancient woodland, and at one end is Shepherd Meadows, a beautiful nature reserve with fields full of wild flowers and butterflies as well as the River Blackwater.

To find the Shepherd Meadows, take the path to the left of the play area and follow it past the pond, where you will pick up signs to the reserve.

Pick a Car Park

There are two car parks. The first is next to the play area (GU47 9BJ).

The second is on Marshall Road (GU47 0FJ – will take you past the car park, which is on the opposite side of the road than the residential houses). This is the car park for Shepherd Meadows and it is about a twenty minute walk to the play area.

Nearest Town: Sandhurst, near Camberley
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 9BJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try the cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, a picnic area, ice creams and snacks.

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, butterflies, insects and birds.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

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

Aldenham CP Adventure Play Area

This exciting adventure play area has wooden play equipment, including:

• climbing frames with nets and ropes
• a climbing wall 
• a zip wire 
• a slide with nets 
• basket swings
• mushrooms and animals 
• a tunnel

• sand play areas 
• puzzle boards 
• musical instruments 
• a water play area with a water pump 
• swings 
• a roundabout 
• seats

At the time of writing, you have to book to use the play area and there was a charge of £3. 

Some sessions are exclusively for children with special needs. 

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park itself is full of things to do, including orienteering and cycling trails 

mini golf and trampolines.

100 Aker Wood

It also has a magical recreation of 100 Aker Wood. 

Hidden along the trail are places like Winnie the Pooh’s house 

Eeyore’s Gloomy Place

and a bridge to play Poohsticks.

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On Aldenham Country Park Farm, a route leads you past farm animals, including cows, pigs, goats, donkeys and ducks.  

We even spotted Winnie the Pooh!

Nearest Town: Elstree, near Watford
County: Hertfordshire
Nearest Postcode: WD6 3BA

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Child Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Free If: You are only visiting the Country Park.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour at the play area, 2 hours at the farm and the rest of the day in the Country Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park. 
Cost of Parking: From £4.50 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and insects and farm animals – cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs – maybe even Winnie the Pooh!

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to 100 Aker Wood and Aldenham Country Park Adventure Play Area in Elstree near Watford is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Hogmoor Inclosure Play Area

This has a mixture of natural play equipment and adventure play equipment that includes:

• a large tube slide with a covered rope bridge and long ladders that are broken into sections by wooden platforms
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• tree stump obstacle courses
• stones to climb on
• a sandy area with sand play equipment 
• a wide slide with a ladder 
• a spinning disc 
• spinning cups 
• three tyre swings 
• a small castle tower with a ladder 
• a swinging basket 
• swings
• a zip wire.

We could not find any toddler swings.

In the play area there is also a little pond that children paddle in.

The Cafe

Cafe Hogmoor is next to the play area and the car park and sells snacks and refreshments. 

The Bee Hive

Between the Hogmoor Cafe and the car park is a little building called the Bee Hive. Next to it are:

• musical instruments 
• a scavenger hunt
• a brass rubbing area. 

The Trails

There are a few marked trails to try that lead you past different features, including gates, activity boards and the Sentinels. 

Nearest Town: Bordon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 9HN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Cafe Hogmoor. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 9HN). It can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: October 2021
Information Checked: April 2023

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

Dinosaur Island 

Welcome to Dinosaur Island, a dinosaur-themed adventure play area at Southwater Country Park.

Follow the Footprints

When you arrive, a trail of dinosaur footprints lead you on a five to ten minute walk to Dinosaur Island, where adventure awaits…

Southwater CP Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area is jam-packed with equipment, including:

• basket swings
• toddler swings
• tyre swings
• wooden climbing frames with balance courses and slides
• a long slide with a choice of easy to climb stairs or a cargo net walkway
• baskets suspended in a rope climbing frame
• aerial walkways

• musical walls
• a zip wire
• bridges
• a roundabout
• a seesaw
• a springer
• a spider web climbing frame and
• a sand play area with buckets, pulleys and dinosaur bones to excavate.

Southwater Country Park 

As well as Dinosaur Island, Southwater Country Park has an orienteering course, a lake, a nature area, 

a beach with a swimming area and a water sports centre where you can kayak, canoe, sail and paddle board.

Nearest Town: Horsham, near Crawley
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: RH13 9UN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: At the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: Good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: From Various depending on when you visit – please see their website for full details.

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

Information Written: January 2017
Information Checked: October 2020

Our visit to Dinosaur Island Adventure Play Area at Southwater Country Park in Horsham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Moors Valley Country Park Adventure Area

There are two play areas next to the Visitor Centre, which are divided into the Adventure Area, which is for older children, and the Castle and Sandworks area, which is for younger children.

The Adventure Play Area

This has:

• a large slide with a climbing wall
• a climbing wall
• a climbing boulder
• a zip wire

• a basket swing
• a large rope climbing frame
• a huge wooden fortress with a long tube slide, tunnels and rope bridges
• rope swings.

The Castle and Sandworks

The equipment here includes:

• a multi-play with a slide and easy to climb steps
• another slide
• a large multi-play shaped like a house with a slide, fireman’s pole, climbing wall and ropes to climb on
• toddler swings made of ropes
• a wooden train

• mechanical diggers you can operate
• wooden animals 
• an obstacle course
• springers
• spinners
• sand construction areas with buckets, chutes and pulleys.

The Play Trail

The fantastical Play Trail at Moors Valley Country Park guides you through the woods to a Tree Top Trail

and 9 hidden play areas, including the Enchanted Forest, Snake Pit and Hawk House.

The Miniature Railway

The Moors Valley Railway rumbles through the park (with seasonal opening hours). This is a miniature railway that connects Lakeside and Kingsmere stations.

Everything Else!

Moors Valley is packed full of adventures – trails to try, trees to climb and games to play. 

Nearest Town: Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: BH24 2ET

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the Visitor Centre cafe.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic areas.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. Note that this is not wide enough for a buggy but there is a path that allows you to skip past it.

Parking: Large car park but it is very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: Various charges, from between £1.80 per hour.  Please see their website for full details.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, birds and insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: October 2022

Our visit to Moors Valley Country Park and the Moors Valley Country Park Adventure Play Areas in Ringwood is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Paddle Steamers and Rainforests

Woking playground takes you on a rainforest adventure, with jungle-themed play equipment.

Animal Spotting

There are some 23 animals hiding around the park.

These include a jaguar – can you spot it in the photo?

a hummingbird

a caiman

and giant centipede. 

Woking Park Adventure Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a sand play area with buckets and pulleys and a water play area with chutes, taps, bridges and collection pool

• a two-storey paddle steamer climbing frame
• a lily pad balance trail
• a wooden climbing frame shaped like rainforest plants with ladders, bridges, spider webs and walkways
• two springers
• a barrel shaped roundabout 
• a zip wire
• a tunnel and 
• a playhouse.

There is also:

• net climbing frame
• a climbing wall and spider web
• an uphill balance course and wobbly bridge
• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a centipede seesaw
• two huge slides set into a hill with easy to climb steps and 
• a toddler-sized slide.

Woking Park

The play area is on the edge of Woking Park, which has gardens filled with trees, bridges and pathways

and a duck pond, stream and a multi-gym.

Leisure Facilities

Also within Woking Park are some leisure facilities including Pool in the Park, tennis courts and mini golf. 

The tennis courts and mini golf can be pre-booked.

Nearest Town: Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU22 9BA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the one of the cafes.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets and accessible toilets in the leisure centre by the park.

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

Parking: Large pay and display car park.
Cost of Parking: Free for the first two hours. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and squirrels.

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: October 2022

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

The Ships

One ship is a multiplay with sides to climb up, nets to tackle and a hold to hide in. 

The other is afloat on a sea of sand with buckets, pulleys and chutes to operate and hidden fossils to discover.

The Play Equipment

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

• a boat multiplay with a slide and nets
• a second multiplay for younger children with a slide
• swings
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• a spinner
• a sand play area with a boat, buckets and chutes.

The Sports Facilities

There is also a trim trail, a five-a-side football pitch and a skate park.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 2LG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: No car park but we parked on the road by the park’s entrance. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: July 2022

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