Where To Go… In and Around The Ashford Hangers
When you’re in the mood for a bit of natural drama, consider the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, a part of Hampshire that has been referred to as “Little Switzerland”.
Follow the Gruffalo and Friends Through Alice Holt Forest
What would you discover if you “took a stroll through a deep dark wood”? In Alice Holt Forest, it could be almost anything – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, adventure play
Playwood Adventure Play Area at Alice Holt Forest, Farnham
Playwood Adventure Play Area has a woodland theme with a log cabin and a wooden climbing frame built to look like trees and logs. The perfect place for the Gruffalo to hide…
Timberline Adventure Play Area at Alice Holt Forest, Farnham
Timberline Adventure Play Area is a huge obstacle course that is a fun place to play The Floor is Lava. It is hidden away in Alice Holt Forest, about a five minute walk from
Meet Nymphs and a Boggart on the Blackwater Valley Path
A cheeky boggart and some wood and water nymphs are just some of the creatures waiting to meet you along the Blackwater Valley Path. You may also spot fish, butterflies
Where To Go… In and Around the Blackwater Valley Path
The River Blackwater rises in Aldershot and flows to the River Loddon in Swallowfield, near Reading. The Blackwater Valley Path follows the river on its
Dodge Puddles and Spot Graffiti on the Blackwater Valley Path
This stretch of the Blackwater Valley Path offers clear views of the tree-lined river and some colourful graffiti, if you will brave its puddled paths. This section is 2 miles
Cycle Along the River on the Blackwater Valley Path
Section 4 of the Blackwater Valley Path follows the river’s route along the busy A331 dual carriageway. Unfortunately, you tend to be more aware of the road than the river.
Discover a Canal in the Sky on the Blackwater Valley Path
Stumbling across a canal flowing over a bridge is one of the biggest surprises I have had on a local walk! The Ash Aqueduct and three play areas all wait along Section 3
Find a Five Leaf Clover on the Blackwater Valley Path
Along the Blackwater are patches where you can find four and even five leaf clovers. These are very rare so be sure to only give one to someone you love very much!
Begin at the Beginning on the Blackwater Valley Path
The Blackwater begins in the tranquil Rowhill Nature Reserve and so does the Blackwater Valley Path, which winds with the river, past the source, waterfalls and bridges
Follow the Blackwater to Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
The Blackwater Valley Path follows the River Blackwater from its boggy source in Aldershot to its end at the River Loddon in Swallowfield, near Reading. Along the way are
Discover the Source of the River Blackwater at Rowhill, Aldershot
Rowhill Nature Reserve hides the source of the River Blackwater amongst charismatically named areas like Stickleback Pond, Rhododendron
Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area, Aldershot
Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area is a small play area with a busy industrial estate at one end and the River Blackwater at the other. The play equipment is
Hawley Meadows, River Blackwater, Near Camberley
According to the information boards, Hawley Meadows gives an impression of how the Blackwater Valley would have looked 100 years ago. It must have been
Find Sand, Ducks and Mega Multiplays at Aldershot Park
Aldershot Park is bursting with things to do – play areas, a sand pit, ducks, sports pitches, a trim trail and river walks. Its two play areas packed with equipment.
Pondside Play at Petersfield Heath and Play Area
Beautifully situated Petersfield Heath Play Area has it all – a pondside play area with a cafe, plenty of ducks to feed, a circular walk past ancient monuments
Spin, Slide and Spring at King George V Play Area, Farnborough
King George V Playing Fields and Play Area is a well equipped play area with a range of equipment for children of all ages. The play equipment is said to be
Find Witch Bottles and a Cockatrice at Andover Museum
Have you ever heard of a cockatrice? How about witch bottles? Or a hill fort? These are all on display at Andover Museum, along with exhibits about Iron Age
Slip Through Secret Passages at Little Beaulieu, New Forest
Your mission at Little Beaulieu is to sneak past the painting with the moving eyes and slip into the secret passage behind the bookcase. But you’ll have to find
Ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Beaulieu, New Forest
Beaulieu is home to all things with motors – everything from famous motors and racing motors, to model motors and vintage motors. You can race model motors at
Sail a Seascape at Osbourne Road Play Area, Farnborough
A sea scene is playing out at Osbourne Road Play Area, with sea creatures, palm trees, a wooden island and two ships, one with a cannon. Friend or foe? The choice
Make Some Feathered Friends at the Hawk Conservancy, Andover
If you know someone who longs to discover more about birds of prey, then consider a visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Their mission is to conserve birds of prey
Enter the Lion’s Den at Stockbridge Common Marsh, near Andover
Hidden along the banks of the River Test, Stockbridge Common Marsh is a tranquil spot for a picnic, paddle and walk. As you enter, you pass a sign that says ‘The Lions Den’
Trap a Sea Monster on the Salterns Story Trail, Lymington
Are you brave enough to step back in time to 1832 and help a salt farmer trap a sea monster? If so, The Story of Salterns, Sea Monsters and Saving the Day
Spot Salterns at the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve
For hundreds of years, people have used the coastal lagoons of The Solent to trap sea water and create salt. Today some can be see at the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature
Make a Wish in the Wishing Well at Waggoners Wells
At the bottom of Waggoners Wells – beyond the blue pools, waterfall and giant fish – is an old wishing well that is said to have inspired Tennyson and Flora Thompson.
Sail on a Sea of Sand at Queens Road Play Area, Farnborough
The sandy Queens Road Play Area and Recreation Ground has with equipment for a variety of ages, a large field with sports facilities and wildflowers. The play
Conquer Shoulder of Mutton Hill, Ashford Hangers, Steep
Of all the places I have explored, Shoulder of Mutton Hill is my favourite – it’s also the place I visit most often. I love the climb, I love the views and I love the
Find Cobbett’s View on Wheatham Hill, Ashford Hangers
In 1822, William Cobbett was surprised to discover Wheatham Hill, “…out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life,
Paddle at Lutcombe Bottom in the Ashford Hangers, Petersfield
There is a magical patch of wild at the foot of Lutcombe Bottom that is easier to access than the rest of the Ashford Hangers. This area has a shallow stream,
Walk to Mill Lane Waterfall from Steep Recreation Ground
The mesmerizing Mill Lane Waterfall roars down a hill and under the road where it pools as the slow flowing Ashford Stream. You can walk to the waterfall
Steep Recreation Ground and Play Area, Near Petersfield
Steep Recreation Ground is a small play area near Mill Lane waterfall and within walking distance of the Shoulder of Mutton Hill and the Ashford Hangers. The play
Meet Peppa Pig in Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park
Ever wished to ride in Daddy Pig’s car, on Grandpa Pig’s train or George’s dinosaur? If you love the Peppa Pig stories then consider spending the day at Paultons
Clamber Through Water Lane Play Area, Farnborough
Water Lane Play Area in Farnborough has two play areas for a range of ages and lots of sports facilities. The play equipment for younger children includes toddler swings
Keith Lucas Road Play Area or Gooden Crescent, Farnborough
Keith Lucas Road Play Area in Farnborough is a small local play area. The play equipment includes swings, toddler swings, a multiplay with a slide, net, fireman’s pole
Try the Spooky Maze at the Pumpkin Picking Patch, Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge Pumpkin Picking Patch is full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. There is also a Halloween Maize Maze – daytimes are child friendly but things
Pick a Pumpkin at Sunnyfields Farm, Near Southampton
When we visited Pumpkin Time at Sunnyfields Farm in 2020, there were pumpkins galore – piles of pumpkins, a pumpkin tunnel, and a field where you can pick a pumpkin.
Find Wellington at Wellesley Woodlands, Aldershot
Wellington watches over the start of Wellesley Woodlands’ brass rubbing trail, which leads you through the woods to 10 different posts and a WW1 firing wall complete
Become a Human Sundial at Holybourne Play Area, Alton
Holybourne Play Area is a wooden play area with a spacious, natural feel and an area where you can become a human sundial! The play equipment includes, a circle
Capture the Pirate Ship at Moor Road, Farnborough
Ahoy, me hearties! A pirate ship lurks offshore in the play area at Moor Road Recreation Ground. Can you scale the rigging, board the ship and save the day? The pirate and
Dene Road Local Play Area, Cove, Near Farnborough
Dene Road Play Area in Farnborough is a small local play area. The play equipment is for children to the age of 12 years and includes a swing, a toddler swing, two
Cove Green Recreation Ground and Play Area, Near Farnborough
Cove Green Recreation Ground has a small play area on one edge. The play equipment includes swings, toddler swings, a multiplay with a slide, tunnel and a bridge
Cumbria Court Play Area, South Farnborough
Cumbria Court Play Area is a small local play area. The play equipment is for children to the age of 12 years and includes, swings,
toddler swings, a small multiplay
Beat the Obstacle Course at Cross Green Play Area, Eversley
Cross Green is a small play area next to Eversley Cricket Club with a big climbing frame obstacle course, a pretty duck pond and a picnic area. When we visited the
Storm the Fortress at Municipal Gardens, Aldershot
Municipal Gardens Play Area is a place to let your imaginations run free. Can you sail your pirate ship past seals, sharks and an octopus to a kingdom with a village
Find Fairies and Fossils at Lepe Country Park, Exbury
Lepe Country Park is one of those rare places where you can fill an entire day with everything or nothing! If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling,
Play by the Sea at Lepe Country Park Play Area, Exbury
The Lepe Country Park Play Area is one of only a handful of beachside play areas we have found and it’s a beauty, with views across The Solent and out to
Romp Around the Hogmoor Inclosure Natural Play Area
Hogmoor Inclosure has a large and varied wooden play area where you can choose sandy play, wild play, adventure play and natural play! This has a mixture
Find the Sentinels at Hogmoor Inclosure, Bordon
Whether you’re tackling the natural play area, exploring the sandy trails, or tucked away in the bird hide, Hogmoor Inclosure is a wonderful place to climb, explore