Locks Ride Splash Pad

The splash pad has jets of water

and overhead buckets that gradually fill with water and then suddenly spill down onto the people below.

The Beach Area

The beach area has sandy play areas

and picnic tables and barbecues that can be pre-booked.

There are also toilets.

Opening Hours

The Locks Ride splash pad has set opening hours so be sure to check before you go. 

It is often very busy during hot weather.

Locks Ride Play Area

Much of the play equipment in Locks Ride Recreation Play Area is built over the 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
• zip wires a trampoline.

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

a cricket pitch and a pavilion.

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

Opens: The splash pad is open daily from mid-May to mid-September. The play area is open daily.
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables or the cafe.
Facilities: Ice creams and toilets.

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

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

Information Written: August 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Locks Ride Recreation Ground Splash Pad and 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.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area

The play area equipment includes:

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

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

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Splash Pad

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

Boat Trips 

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

The Runnymede Memorials

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

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

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: May 2021
Information Checked: July 2025

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

Northfield Wood

Next to the play area is a copse of trees you can walk in. 

Mill Lane Waterfall

It is about a fifteen minute walk to the waterfall from Steep Recreation Ground. 

To find the path, leave the play area, walk over the field and head into Northfield Wood. Follow the main path through the trees to the left. 

This path leads you through a kissing gate and along a field. 

There was an electric fence along this stretch of the path when we visited so keep an eye on any children with you. 

At the end of the path is a road that you turn right onto. Then it is a short walk along this road (with no pavement) to the waterfall.

Full details of the route we followed can be found on the Great British Life website. 

The Ashford Hangers

The footpath next to the waterfall takes you over the stream and on towards the Ashford Hangers, a national nature reserve with spectacular views. 

Steep Recreation Ground

The play equipment includes:

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

Next to the play area is a football pitch.

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

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

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

Information Written: July 2022

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

Fun at the Beach…

The pond has several sandy beaches where you can have fun wading, paddling and splashing. You can also pond dip, build sand castles and feed the ducks. 

The biggest beaches are on the car park side of the pond but there are a few smaller beaches in other parts too. 

…but No Swimming

Swimming is not allowed at Frensham Little Pond to protect the pond habitat, but you can swim at the nearby Frensham Great Pond. 

The Tern Cafe

The Tern Cafe is next to the pond and only a short walk from the car park. It offers snacks, drinks and ice creams and has picnic tables, some under cover. 

Bird Hide

What will you spy from the bird hide?

The Walks

Although this is called Frensham Little Pond, it is not small – it took us about an hour to walk all the way around. There are benches and a boardwalk along the way. 

There is also a Frensham Little Pond Family Trail you can follow around the pond. 

The Paths

Most of the paths were easy to push a normal buggy across. Some do have tree roots. There are sandy stretches onto Frensham Common that are tougher.

Frensham Common

Frensham Little Pond is part of Frensham Common, an area of open and airy heathland with woods and beautiful viewpoints.

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3BT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: You can push a buggy around the pond but choose one that can cope with sand and roots. 

Parking: There are several car parks but they can be very busy when the weather is warm.
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Lots of birds, including ducks, swans, coots, moorhens and squirrels.

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: November 2023

Our visit to Frensham Little Pond near Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Two Beaches

You can paddle and swim from either beach within the area marked with buoys and ropes. Neither has much shade so you may want to bring some with you. 

Both of the beaches are near the car park, cafe and toilets. 

The first beach you come to is the larger of the two. 

The second beach is a little further from the car park and is smaller but often less busy.

Sometimes the pond has to be closed to bathers so be sure to check the Frensham Great Pond website before you go to make sure swimming is allowed.

The Cafe

There is a cafe next to the beach and car park that sells snacks, drinks and ice creams and has picnic tables. 

There are also public toilets in this building.

Frensham Little Pond

Frensham Little Pond is about a five minute drive. It offers more shady spots but swimming is not permitted there.

Frensham Common

Both ponds are part of Frensham Common, an area of heathland with beautiful views, heather and lots of paths to explore. 

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 2QB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: It is sandy so it can be hard work to push a buggy to the beach. 

Parking: There is a large car park but it can be very busy when the weather is warm – the website suggests arriving before 10am.
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks.

Information Written: May 2022
Information Checked: November 2023

Our visit to Frensham Great Pond near Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

River Tillingbourne 

When we visited the river was shallow, slow flowing and ideal for paddling, playing and splashing. 

Some children were catching little fish in nets by the bridge. 

Picnics!

There is plenty of space for a lazy picnic next to the river.  

The Tea Rooms

Opposite the green there is a friendly tea room and shop that sells snacks, sandwiches, drinks, nets and buckets.

Abinger Hammer Play Area

Nestled behind some trees on the side of the cricket pitch, is the Abinger Hammer Cricket Ground Play Area with equipment that includes:

• a wooden climbing frame with a slide, climbing walls, nets and a fireman’s pole
• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a seesaw
• a springer
• some balance beams
• a wooden house
• a tunnel
• a rope wall.

Together these last four items can be used as a mini obstacle course.

As the name would suggest, there is a cricket pitch too! 

Nearest Town: Abinger Hammer, Surrey Hills, near Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: RH5 6QP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: None but opposite the green is a small shop that sells nets, coffees, snacks etc.

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

Parking: There is a small car park with about 8 spaces next to the river on Felday Road. It can be very busy during warm weather. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to Abinger Hammer Cricket Ground, the River Tillingbourne and the Abinger Hammer Cricket Ground Play Area in the Surrey Hills, near Dorking, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Nearest Town: Brockenhurst, near Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7TS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Any buggy would work as you don’t have to walk anywhere.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the river but this can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, wood ants, mini-beasts, butterflies, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: May 2022

Our visit to Balmer Lawn paddling in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Splashing and Paddling

Latchmoor Brook is a peaceful place to combine a picnic and a paddle to cool off during the summer. 

During the winter or wet months it can be muddy and I understand the mud could be dangerous. 

Fossil Hunting

You can find fossils along the stream at any point from the path to the woods. You are most likely to find fossilised shells but, if you are very lucky, you may find fish remains and shark teeth. 

Please note that you need permission to collect specimens and are not allowed to dig here.

The Mud

It was muddy when we visited and we could not walk far along the brook. I understand the mud can become dangerous so be sure to only visit during dry times of the year. 

To Find Latchmoor Brook

Follow the path from Telegraph Hill car park that leads to the left. You walk past gorse bushes and go down a slight hill. At the bottom of the hill you come to a boggy area and a small stream, which is Latchmoor Brook. 

We crossed the brook and turned right to walk along it. The brook is initially shallow but quickly cuts into the clay, developing steep banks, before disappearing into the forest. 

Nearest Town: Fordingbridge, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP6 2QY

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: I managed with an all terrain buggy. The paths are grassy, uneven and boggy in places and there is no path along the brook itself. 

Parking: There is a small car park called Telegraph Hill car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies and insects.

Information Written: March 2019

Our visit to Lacthmoor Brook, near Fordingbridge in the New Forest, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Odiham Ford

Odiham Ford is quiet, peaceful and muddy.

Odiham Castle

From here you can easily walk along the Basingstoke Canal to Odiham Castle (this took us ten to fifteen minutes).

The Basingstoke Canal

To find the ford you have to cross a small bridge over the Basingstoke Canal, either on foot or by car.

We crossed the bridge by car and parked next to the ford but there is really only space for one or two cars. There are also several parking spaces in a lay-by just before the bridge. 

Nearest Town: Odiham, North Warnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1HQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: Half an hour and then we walked to the Odiham Castle.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: A few parking spaces nearby but can be very busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans and insects.

Information Written: February 2017

Our visit to Odiham Ford in Odiham, North Warnborough, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.