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.

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.

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.

Boundstone Recreation Ground

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

• a multiplay with a slide and a fireman’s pole
• toddler swings
• swings 
• a zip wire
• a basket swing
• a seat roundabout
• a seesaw.

Nearest Town: Rowledge, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4RN

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: You can park on the road next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2025

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

Rowledge Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children to the age of 13 years old and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a multiplay with a slide, wobbly bridge and easy to climb steps
• a climbing frame
• a springer
• a roundabout
• a trampoline
• seats.

There is also a table tennis table

and a sports field. 

Nearest Town: Rowledge, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4BW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at the local pub or grab something at the local shop.
Facilities: Picnic tables.

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

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

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: June 2025

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

Hollowdene Recreation Ground

The play equipment is for use by children under the age of 14 years and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings 
• a pirate boat
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a bridge, bars and a slide with a ladder
• a second slide with easy to climb stairs

• a balance course 
• two springers
• a hopscotch board 
• a covered seating area
• an outdoor multi-gym
• a picnic table 
• a table tennis table 
• seats.

Next to the play area is a very large sports field with a football pitch and a cricket pitch. 

There is also a shop where you can buy snacks and ice cream and the very child and dog friendly Holly Bush. 

A Walk to a Stream

If you walk down past the playing fields you come to a footpath through the trees. 

This leads to a bridge over a little stream and some fields where we spotted some ducks and rabbits.

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There is village shop next to the play area, a pub nearby where you can buy food.  You can also bring a picnic.
Facilities: A shop, pub and a picnic area.

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

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

Animals You Might See: Ducks, insects and rabbits.

Information Written: February 2020
Information Checked: June 2024

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

Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area

The play equipment includes: 

• basket swing
• a climbing wall 
• rocks to climb on
• a zip wire 
• a spinning seesaw
• a large spinning seesaw (which was fenced off)
• a spinning disc 
• picnic tables.

Nearest Town: Ash Vale, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds and insects.

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area in Ash Vale is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Lakeside Nature Reserve

A path leads around the lake

past the brass rubbing posts.

boardwalks

and woodland.

The River Blackwater

To find Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path, follow one of the paths next to the play area (heading away and to the right of the car park). 

The Paths

Most of the paths through the nature reserve are buggy friendly and easy to walk on. 

There are a few paths that are wilder too, like this path through the meadow. 

Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area

Next to the lake and the car park is the Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area.

The play equipment includes: 

• basket swing
• a climbing wall 
• rocks to climb on
• a zip wire 

• a spinning seesaw
• a large spinning seesaw (which was fenced off)
• a spinning disc 
• picnic tables.

Nearest Town: Ash Vale, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a good-sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds and insects.

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2022

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

The Nymphs and the Boggart

This is a story trail called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart” leads you around the meadow, telling tales of magical creatures. 

It is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 6: M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

At 1.5 miles long, this section is one of the shortest. The path starts near Frimley Station 

and leads you over the A331 dual carriageway

and into a business park. 

Then it passes under the M3 

and on to Hawley Meadows, a traditional floodplain meadow. 

From here it is just a short walk to Blackwater Park. 

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.  

Paths Along Section 6

The paths are the first along the Blackwater Path that do not have hard surfacing suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. 

The path varies from surfaced 

to mud 

to gravel 

to rutted grass.

We found the paths easy to use on foot or by bike but they can be narrow and there are patches of stinging nettles and brambles to battle past. 

There is a road crossing at Frimley, which you need to cross with care.  

Please see the Section 6 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We would go back to Hawley Meadows and the story trail.

We may also cycle up to the M3 Bridge and down to Blackwater Park but would start and finish at the Hawley Meadows car park.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 5: Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

Downstream – Section 7: Blackwater Park to Sandhurst Station

Nearest Town: Frimley, Blackwater, Camberley
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for M3 Bridge/Frimley Station/Burrell Road: GU16 7QH or GU16 7JG
Nearest Postcode for Blackwater Park/Hawley Meadows: GU15 3DT or GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The paths can be uneven and there is no surfacing at all through some parts of Hawley Meadows.

Parking: To park near the M3 Bridge you can park at Frimley Station (GU16 7QH) or Burrell Road Car Park (GU16 7JG). You can try to park along the road at Blackwater Park (GU15 3DT) but it is easier to use the car park at Hawley Meadows (GU15 3YH).
Cost of Parking: Frimley Station is pay and display. The other car parks are free.

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects. Perhaps even some nymphs and boggarts!

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path from the M3 Bridge in Frimley to Blackwater Park in Camberley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 5: Coleford Bridge to M3 Bridge

This is 2 miles long and starts near Coleford Bridge and the Kingfisher on the Quay pub. 

An alternative starting point, about ten minutes away, is Rectory Road Play Area.

The route takes you over a track with lots of puddles that sits next to the A331,

under a bridge with graffiti covered supports 

and then along the tree lined River Blackwater. 

This section has some of the best views of the river we have found so far. 

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.  

Paths Along Section 5

The paths along Section 5 are said to have hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We found the paths to be flat but uneven in places and sometimes very, very muddy. 

This picture might look like it’s the river but it’s actually the path! 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 5 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

As for Section 4, almost the whole of Section 5 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs along the A331 dual carriageway.

We found being so close to the dual carriageway very noisy and will not walk along this section again. 

However, we find the noise less intrusive when cycling and this is a largely traffic free cycle route we often use. 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Downstream – Section 6: M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

Nearest Town: Farnborough, Frimley
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Coleford Bridge/Rectory Road: GU14 7HX
Nearest Postcode for M3 Bridge/Frimley Station/Burrell Road: GU16 7QH or GU16 7JG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The surface can be very uneven.

Parking: To park near Coleford Bridge is tricky but we were able to park at Rectory Road Play Area (GU14 7HX) and walk to the Blackwater Valley Path. To park near the M3 Bridge you can park at Frimley Station (GU16 7QH) or Burrell Road Car Park (GU16 7JG).
Cost of Parking: All free except Frimley Station, which is pay and display.

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

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 5 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Coleford Bridge in Farnborough to M3 Bridge in Frimley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 4: Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

This is 2 miles long and starts near North Camp railway station. 

We parked at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is very near to the station and also has a play area. 

From here the path follows not just the River Blackwater 

but also the A331 dual carriageway. The road noise can be overpowering. 

There are places to stop and rest along the way,

some pretty views of the River Blackwater 

and also the local concrete and recycling plants. 

This section of the path ends at Coleford Bridge and the Kingfisher on the Quay pub. 

About ten minutes away is Rectory Road Play Area.

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.  

Paths Along Section 4

The paths along Section 4 are said to have hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We found the paths to be generally flat but uneven in places.  

They can also be very, very muddy.

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 4 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

Almost the entire section of the path runs along the A331 and it is very noisy.

There are some parts of the walk where you walk directly beside the dual carriageway. Whilst we will not be going back to this section on a walk, it is a largely traffic free cycle route that we do use.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Downstream – Section 5: Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

Nearest Town: North Camp, Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG 
Nearest Postcode for Coleford Bridge/Rectory Road: GU14 7HX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Doable with buggies but be prepared for some narrow paths. 

Parking: To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG). To park near Coleford Bridge is harder but we were able to park at Rectory Road Play Area (GU14 7HX) and walk to the Blackwater Valley Path. 
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

Our visit to Section 4 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Hollybush Pits in North Camp to Coleford Bridge in Farnborough is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Four and Five Leaf Clovers

Most clovers have three leaves 

but some have four leaves 

and others have five leaves!  

These special clovers are hard to find. I’ve read that the odds of spotting a four leaf clover are 1 in 10,000 and a five leaf clover are 1 in 100,000. 

When I was little, I read that finding a four leaf clover is lucky and finding a five leaf clover is even luckier so you should only ever give a five leaf clover to someone you love very much.  

Where to Look for Clovers

To give yourself the best chance of finding one and surprising your special someone, have a look amongst the clovers that line the Blackwater Valley Path from Ivy Road Recreation Ground

to just before the main road crossing in Aldershot. 

Here there are enormous clovers so extra leaves are easier to spot. 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 2: Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Section 2 is 2.25 miles long. It starts at Pea Bridge in Badshot Lea and follows the river 

past the well-equipped Aldershot Park and Play area 

and along to a main road. 

This is a fast road so be careful when you cross.  

Beyond this road, the path hugs the river again

and is lined with vegetation and giant clovers.  

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is to your left on the other side of the river

and is accessed by a small bridge. 

Shawfields is at the same point on the path but to your right.  

To find the pond at Rowan Field, 

you need to go diagonally across Shawfields (follow the noise of the dual carriageway!) and go up and over the A331. 

The River Blackwater

Along Section 2 of the path, the River Blackwater grows wider and deeper and you start to see ducks, Canada geese and other water birds. 

There are stretches where you can access the river, for example at Aldershot Park 

but for much of Section 2 the river is hard to reach, either because the banks are steep 

or it is guarded by towering plants.

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 2

The path along Section 2 is easy to use and flat.  There are patches that can be overgrown and where you have to go through stinging nettles and brambles. 

It has hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. I found using a scooter harder as the surface is too uneven in places for little wheels. 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 2 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We often cycle along this stretch of the River Blackwater, starting at Aldershot Park and Play Area and cycling to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and then on to Rowan Field and Shawfield Recreation Ground. 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

Downstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Nearest Town: Badshot Lea, Aldershot and Ash
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).
Nearest Postcode for Ivy Road: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down. 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.
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

Our visit to Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Pea Bridge in Aldershot to Shawfields in Ash is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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.  

Blackwater Valley Path Section 1: Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge 

Section 1 starts at Rowhill Nature Reserve car park

and leads you past the boggy source of the Blackwater, 

where it then follows the infant river.

The path leads onto the streets 

and footpaths of Badshot Lea 

and Aldershot. 

Section 1 ends at Pea Bridge, where section 2 begins.

Rowhill Nature Reserve

Rowhill Nature Reserve is a captivating nature reserve of ancient woodland with stumps to balance on,

trees to climb, hills to explore, bridges to build and places to paddle. 

The Source of the Blackwater

The source of the Blackwater River is a bog marked by an information board.  

There isn’t much to see but the bog trickles into a stream that flows into Stickleback Pond. 

The River Blackwater

The River Blackwater is a small stream along section 1 

that has little waterfalls and spots to splash in. 

Once you leave the reserve, the river becomes a little wider and deeper and there is no access. 

The Paths Along Section 1

I found the paths within Rowhill Nature Reserve easy to use and push an all terrain buggy along. 

The paths through Aldershot from pavements to footpaths. 

Some of the footpaths were narrow but they were all flat and easy to use.

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 1 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We really enjoy Rowhill Nature Reserve and visit regularly but for me, the walk beyond the reserve does not add much as you do not really see the river.  I don’t expect to visit this part of section 1 again. 

Where to Next?

Downstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Rowhill Nature Reserve: GU11 3BD
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a small car park on Cranmore Lane (GU11 3BD), which can be busy. To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 1 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot to Pea Bridge in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is better suited to older children as it could be hard for younger children to use independently.

The equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• a spinner that you dangle under
• a climbing frame with nets and nests of baskets.

Next to the play area is a basketball court, football pitch 

and a field.

The Blackwater River

The River Blackwater flows along the edge of the field, followed by Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path, which is surfaced so you can ride, scooter and walk along it. 

To find the Blackwater River, follow the path across the field to the tree line where there is a little bridge. 

Rowan Field

If you cross the bridge and a walk a short distance in either direction along the Blackwater Valley Path, you come to the entrance to Rowan Field.  

This is a nature reserve split in half by the A331.   

Finding Ivy Road Play Area

To find the play area using GU12 4XG, drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre.

Nearest Town: North Town, Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a small car park next to the playground. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, birds, ducks and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

Our visit to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area in North Town, Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rowan Field

Rowan Field has open grassland

a pond and 

the Blackwater River running along one edge. 

The field also has benches, a small seating area and a path around the outside.

The A331

The A331 dual carriageway splits Rowan Field in two so there is a continuous rumble of traffic.

These two parts of the field are joined by a footbridge, which we enjoyed crossing to watch the traffic whizz underneath.

Shawfields

On the other side of the dual carriageway is Shawfields. 

Other Things to Try

From Rowan Field you can try three different places – two are play areas and the other is a walk along the River Blackwater.

Shawfield Recreation Ground

To find Shawfield Recreation Ground from Rowan Field, walk down Shawfield Lane and turn left onto the unsurfaced road on your left. 

Follow this road until you come to a little path on your right. This will take you to Shawfield Rec. 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area 

To find Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area from Rowan Field, turn left and walk up the bridge over the dual carriageway. 

At the end of the bridge, turn left and when you read the field, cross to the right. Ivy Road is on the other side of the river.  

The Blackwater Valley Path

You could also have a walk along the Blackwater Valley Path. 

Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs past Rowan Field and is surfaced so you can cycle and scooter too. 

The Paths

The path around Rowan Field and also Shawfield is not surfaced and can be muddy. 

The field can also be muddy and boggy in places so you may need wellies when you visit. 

Parking

There are two car parks you can use. The first is on Shawfield Lane in Ash (GU12 6QY) but it was chained shut when we visited. 

There are a couple of spaces near the gate and you could also try to park on Shawfield Lane itself. 

The second car park is at Ivy Road Recreation Ground and Play Area (GU12 4XG), which has several spaces. 

Nearest Town: Ash, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 6QY or GU12 4XG (see above for parking details)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are two car parks you can use – please see above. 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

Our visit to Rowan Field in Ash, near Aldershot, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart

This story trail is a series of short stories. They aren’t connected to anything you could actually see at Hawley Meadows so they were less engaging than some of the other Hampshire CC story trails.

Hawley Meadows

Hawley Meadows is a beautiful spot, with open fields, the Blackwater River and wading grey herons. Unfortunately, it is bordered by the M3, the A331 and an industrial estate so it is not as tranquil as you might expect.

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.  

Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs through Hawley Meadows. It is a walking and also cycling trail but is not hard surfaced.

The Paths Around Hawley Meadows

The meadows were dry when we visited and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along, although I have read that this area can become very wet and muddy after rain. 

Hampshire CC’s Story Trails

This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails. These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, which are told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and divided into numbered sections. Numbered markers prompt you to read the sections of the story along the trail.

Find a Story Pack

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a copy of a story trail from the internet in written or audio form. 

Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.

Nearest Town: Camberley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly but with some uneven paths.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to the Hawley Meadows Story Trail in Camberley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hawley Meadows Today

Life has moved on during the last 100 years and the modern world now surrounds the meadows – they are bordered by the M3 and the A331 as well as an industrial estate.

The continuous drone of road noise detracts from the picturesque surroundings of the rolling fields, lazy river and wading herons.

Hawley Meadows

This is an area of floodplain meadow with a river walk, bridges to play Poohsticks.

The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart

It also has a Story Trail called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart” which leads you around the meadow, telling tales of wood nymphs, water nymphs and a cheeky boggart.

The Paths around Hawley Meadows

There is a path around the outside of the meadows, which took us about an hour to walk around at a slow pace.

 

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.  

Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs through Hawley Meadows. It is a walking and also cycling trail but is not hard surfaced.

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail. 

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Nearest Town: Camberley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly but with some uneven paths.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, birds and butterflies.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

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

King George V Playing Fields Play Area

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

• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• a tyre swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• a climbing frame for older children 

• equipment that spins, springs and slides 
• a rope climbing frame
• a multiplay with a small slide and bridge 
• an accessible multiplay with a slide
• a bendy slide with easy to climb steps and a climbing wall

• a seesaw springer 
• a cup spinner
• a slide for younger children shaped like a cannon and with easy to climb steps 
• musical instruments
• a picnic table
• seats. 

Sports Facilities

Next to the play area is a multi-gym, toilets

and a field. An ornamental pond is only a short walk away. 

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

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

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to King George V Play Area and Playing Fields in Farnborough is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Two Museums 

The history of Andover and the surrounding area is told across two museums under one roof – Andover Museum and Musuem of the Iron Age. 

Andover Museum 

Andover Museum lays out the history of Andover in exhibits, including recreations of a Stone Age lady, 

the Andover workhouse

and a creepy cupboard… 

Boo! 

It also has a children’s activity room and a trail around the museum. 

Witch Bottles

These are bottles full of urine, hair, pins and salt that in the 17th century were believed to ward of witches and their spells. 

The Cockatrice

Believed to roam around the picture perfect village of Wherwell, 

the cockatrice was a fearsome creature with the body of a rooster, the tail of a lizard and the wings of a bat. 

You can see it on the old weather vane from Wherwell Church.  

Museum of the Iron Age 

Musuem of the Iron Age brings to life the story of Danebury Hill Fort with exhibits that include a roundhouse you can visit and Iron Age artefacts you can hold.

and other exhibits. 

Danebury Hill Fort 

About 2,500 years ago, Danebury Hill Fort was a series of earthen ramparts, ditches and gateways protecting a central area. 

It is believed that during the Iron Age, about 300 to 400 people lived at Danebury Hill Fort, along with grain stores, livestock, temples and shrines. 

Danebury Hill Fort is about a 15 minute drive from the musuem. 

Nearest Town: Andover
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP10 1DP

Adult Cost Range: £1 to £4.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £4.99
Free if: Under 5 years

Opens: Wednesday to Sunday

Where to Eat: Cafe.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, shops, toilets.

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

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

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age in Andover is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.