The Trails

Various trails criss-cross Alice Holt Forest. Some are easy access, others are wilder.  Some are flat, others have steep hills.

They are all marked and there are free maps available.

 

 

Story Book Trails

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

 

 

 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog.  

At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Timberline Play Trail

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

 

 

 

 

and also hides huge play sculptures.

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Areas

Alice Holt has two adventure play areas.

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Other Activities

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

 

 

 

 

table tennis

 

 

 

 

 

volleyball

 

 

 

 

 

and badminton.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also orienteering 

 

 

 

 

Go Ape 

 

 

 

 

 

and lots of picnic spots to try.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cafe 

This is located next to the main entrance and Visitor Centre.

You can its picnic tables to eat food you have bought there or brought from home. 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: February 2025

 

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 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

 

The Play Area

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

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

 

So Much To Do!

There is a wide range of activities on offer: hire boats and canoes, walk to Frimley Lodge, play in the fields, enjoy the towpath, take narrow boat trips, explore woods and ponds, choose a picnic spot or check out the playground.

 

 

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

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

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

 

 

Potters’ Pond

Behind the Canal Centre is a pond dipping area

 

 

 

 

and a wild woodland

 

 

 

 

 

with paths, ponds, and bridges.

 

 

 

 

 

The Towpath

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Explore the Canal on Foot

The Basingstoke Canal has about 33 miles of towpath.

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

 

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

 

 

 

Explore the Canal by Water

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

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

 

 

The Swing Bridge Closes…

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

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

 

…and so Does the Barrier!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

 

The Canal Centre Play Area

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

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

 

The Frimley Lodge 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

 

The Ash Embankment Aqueduct

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The path will lead you over footbridges

 

 

 

 

up to the Basingstoke Canal

 

 

 

 

past Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area

 

 

 

 

over a couple of roads you need to cross with care

 

 

 

 

through narrow paths lined with brambles and stinging nettles 

 

 

 

 

along the river

 

 

 

 

finally ending at North Camp railway station

 

 

 

 

and the Old Ford Pub.

 

 

 

 

 

Carrington Recreation Ground

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

 

 

 

 

The River Blackwater

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Blackwater Valley Path

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

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

 

 

The Paths Along Section 3

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

Would We Go Back?

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

Instead, we follow a different and circular route!

 

 

A Circular Alternative!

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

 

 

From here we either follow the Basingstoke Canal tow path

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

 

 

 

 

Downstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

 

 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

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

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

Information Written: May 2024

 

The Blackwater Valley Path

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

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

 

 

The Twelve Sections

Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

 

 

 

 

Section 3:  Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

 

 

 

 

Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 5:  Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 6:  M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7:  Blackwater Park to Sandhurst Station

Section 8:  Sandhurst Station to Grove Lake

Section 9:  Grove Lake to Longwater Road

Section 10:  Longwater Road to Eversley Bridge

Section 11:  Eversley Bridge to Jouldings Lane

Section 12:  Jouldings Lane to Swallowfield

 

The Paths

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

 

 

 

 

Some stretches can be muddy after wet weather. 

 

 

 

 

Other areas can be narrow

 

 

 

 

or lined with stinging nettles.  

 

 

 

 

Some run next to the A331 dual carriageway.

 

 

 

 

Others involve crossing roads.  Please do this with care. 

 

 

 

 

Multi-User Surfaces

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

 

 

 

 

Cycling

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

 

 

 

 

Scooters

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

 

 

 

 

The A331 Blackwater Valley Relief Road

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: May 2024

 

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
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

 

Beaulieu National Motor Museum 

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

 

 

 

 

and some motorbikes.

 

 

 

 

 

But mainly there are cars –

 

 

 

 

 

old cars

 

 

 

 

 

new cars

 

 

 

 

 

record breaking cars

 

 

 

 

 

and famous cars like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

 

 

 

 

Mr Bean’s mini

 

 

 

 

 

and Del Boy’s three wheeler.

 

 

 

 

 

There’s even a car shaped like an orange!

 

 

 

 

 

The Monorail 

Beaulieu is also home to the oldest monorail in England,

 

 

 

 

which glides above the attractions

 

 

 

 

 

and through the museum building!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open-Topped Bus

This dates from 1912 and drives you gently around the grounds. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

At certain times of the year you can book a ride in a replica Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and also in Mr Toad’s car from the film The Wind in the Willows.

Have a look at the Beaulieu website for full details. 

 

 

 

World of Top Gear 

There’s also an exhibition of the cars created on ‘Top Gear’.  

 

 

 

 

 

Little Beaulieu Adventure Play Area

Probably our favourite part of the visit was Little Beaulieu, the adventure play area,

 

 

 

 

which is a labyrinth of secret passages and bridges,

 

 

 

 

slides, and walkways. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grounds and Cafe

On top of all that, there are gardens to explore

 

 

 

 

with Alice in Wonderland shaped bushes

 

 

 

 

and a cafe.

 

 

Nearest Town: Hythe, near Southampton
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

 

Hawk Conservancy Trust

The Hawk Conservancy Trust’s mission is to conserve birds of prey in the UK and abroad.  

 

 

 

 

When we visited they had a particular focus on learning to love vultures, who have an unfair reputation. 

 

 

 

 

All About Birds

You can learn about the birds of prey from their enclosures

 

 

 

 

and during talks,

 

 

 

 

 

interactive workshops

 

 

 

 

 

and flying displays.

 

 

 

 

 

The Birds of Prey

The Hawk Trust Conservancy is home to birds of prey, including vultures,

 

 

 

 

storks,

 

 

 

 

 

eagles,

 

 

 

 

 

owls,

 

 

 

 

 

owls

 

 

 

 

 

and more owls!

 

 

 

 

 

The Play Area

The bird of prey themed play area has places to climb, slide and swing.

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Eat

You can eat at Feathers Restaurant and there are two picnic areas.

 

Nearest Town: Andover
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP11 8DY

Adult Cost Range: £15 to £19.99
Child Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Free if: Under 4 years 

Opens: Various times throughout the year. 

Where to Eat: Feathers Restaurant or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, shop, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Birds of prey like eagles, kites, hawks, owls, herons, storks and vultures.

Information Written: August 2023