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
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
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’
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,
Explore In and Around Normandy Common Play Area, Guildford
Normandy Common is a series of mini-adventures all within easy reach of Normandy Common Play Area. Will you try street snooker or table tennis? Will you
Find a Secret Orchard at Normandy Common, Guildford
I have always loved the idea of finding a secret garden, so you can imagine how excited I was to stumble across a secret orchard on Normandy Common. And it’s not just
Go Paddling at Frensham Little Pond, Near Farnham
Frensham Little Pond is a picturesque place for a paddle and a pond dip, surrounded by the fresh scent of pine, sandy beaches and Frensham Common.
Enjoy the Views from Frensham Common, Near Farnham
Frensham Common is an area of open and airy heathland with woods, beautiful viewpoints and two popular ponds – Frensham Great Pond and Frensham
Hit the Beach at Frensham Great Pond, Near Farnham
With not one but two sandy beaches you can swim and paddle from, it’s easy to see why Frensham Great Pond is a popular local spot to cool off on a hot day.
Find the Source of the River Thames at Thames Head
It’s surprisingly hard to work out where the source of the Thames is. Is it bubbling Lyd Well? The marker stone in Trewsbury Mead? Or Seven Springs, some 14 miles
Meet Old Father Thames at St John’s Lock, Lechdale
Our challenge was to find the source of the Thames. We began at Buscot Lock, walking upstream to the river’s last lock and the statue of Old Father Thames,
Paddle Amongst the Ruins of Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
Scattered along the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth are what remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. Today the area has been reclaimed by nature and
Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, Leighton-Linslade
Parson’s Close Recreation Ground is the play area at the end of the magical Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail. If you visit, you will see that something magical has happened
Splash and Play at Abinger Hammer, Surrey Hills
Abinger Hammer Playground is the perfect place to take a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon splashing through the River Tillingbourne. When we visited the river was shallow
Abinger Hammer Cricket Ground Play Area, Surrey Hills
Abinger Hammer Play Area is a small, wooden play area next to the River Tillingbourne. When we visited the river was shallow, slow flowing and ideal
Build Sand Castles at West Wittering Beach, Near Chichester
On a sunny day, the sparkling, white sands and cool, blue waters of West Wittering Beach make you feel like you are abroad. The sand is soft and makes great sandcastles
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
Find Fairies, Crabs and Shipwrecks at River Hamble CP
The river meanders through River Hamble Country Park, past expensive yachts and a medieval ship wreck, play areas and a World War 2 training camp
River Hamble Country Park Adventure Play Area, Bursledon
The nautically themed River Hamble Country Park Adventure Play Area has two ships to sail, explore or capture. It has access to the River Hamble, a crabbing
Find Fossils and a World-Class Sunset at Bracklesham Bay
Bracklesham Bay is probably the place we love to visit the most. As the tide falls, a huge stretch of sand opens up and you can find fossils just lying on the beach
Follow the Footprints to Dinosaur Island Adventure Play Area
Deep in the swamps of West Sussex is a secret island where you can find dinosaurs alongside tar pits, jungle walkways, quick sand and an erupting volcano.
Picnic, Paddle and Play at Southwater CP, Horsham
Southwater Country Park has a bit of everything – paddling, orienteering, water sports, and even a dinosaur-themed adventure play area. At the heart of the park is
Walk to Hurst Castle along Hurst Spit, Lymington, New Forest
Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that juts into the Solent, linking Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It has beautiful views out towards the Isle of Wight and along the Hampshire coast.
Plunder a Shipwreck at Mudeford Quay Play Area, Christchurch
Next to Mudeford Quay there is a gorgeous adventure play area with a shipwreck, sea views, two beaches and even crabbing. The play equipment includes
Find Crabs, Ferries and Beaches at Mudeford Quay
Mudeford Quay is a working fishing harbour at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour where you can ride a ferry, make sandcastles, try crabbing, plunder a
Paddle in the Ober Water at Puttles Bridge, New Forest
Puttles Bridge is another beautiful spot in the New Forest where you can explore the woods and find places to paddle. Next to the car park is a bridge you can paddle
Hunt for Fossils at Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch
With spectacular views, stretches of sand and clay full of fossils, it’s not hard to understand why we love Highcliffe beach. When we arrived the sun
Chilbolton Cow Common, Chilbolton and Wherwell
Chilbolton Cow Common is a tranquil and picturesque place to explore, walk, have a little paddle in the River Test or a play at the nearby War Memorial Play Area.
War Memorial Playing Field and Play Area, Chilbolton
War Memorial Playing Field and Play Area is a recreation ground on the edge of Chilbolton Cow Common. The play equipment includes toddler swings, swings,
Paddle and Play in the River Wey at Flood Meadows, Alton
Flood Meadows hides a beautiful surprise – nestled away behind the trees is the young River Wey. Here the river is so near to its northern source that the water is
Slosh Through the Woods at Millyford Bridge, New Forest
The Highland Water flows through the trees at Millyford Bridge offering the chance to paddle, climb, balance, explore, cycle or picnic your way through the New
Splash, Paddle and Wade at Ober Corner, New Forest
Ober Corner is the most enchanting part of the New Forest I have found so far. Here the Ober Water meanders through the trees, past wildflowers and ponies
Paddle and Picnic at Balmer Lawn, New Forest
Balmer Lawn is a beautiful spot to splash around in the Lymington River. Both banks are grassy and there are areas of shade too. The river is shallow
Scramble Along the Natural Play Trail at Box Hill, Dorking
Scattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas with balance courses, ropes, logs, tree climbing, dens and a fort. This is called the Box Hill Natural
Cross the River Mole Using the Box Hill Stepping Stones
There is something magical about finding your own way across a river, and jumping across the River Mole on the famous Box Hill Stepping Stones is no exception. Once you
Adventure Up, Down and Around Box Hill, Dorking, Surrey Hills
With picturesque views to admire, mini-beasts to discover, stepping stones to navigate and a natural play trail to tackle, Box Hill is a perfect spot for an adventure and we
Wade to Spider Island at Magpie Bottom, New Forest
Magpie Bottom is a small area of woodland in the New Forest with a magical story trail, the remains of a WW2 airfield, and lots of wildlife. The River Avon Water flows
Help the Creatures on the Nevi-Wesh Story Trail, New Forest
“The Mystical Tale of Nevi-Wesh” leads you along a story trail through a small area of the New Forest, following in the footsteps of two children as they meet magical
Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area, Old Windsor
The Runnymede Pleasure Grounds play area is on the banks of the River Thames alongside a splash pad, amusements, boat tour stops, and a cafe. It is a great
Commemorate the Struggle for Freedom at Runnymede
The water-meadows of Runnymede are where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215, taking a step towards freedom and modern democracy. They are also home
Play by the Thames at Runnymede Pleasure Grounds
Runnymede Pleasure Grounds is on the banks of the River Thames and has a play area, splash pad, amusements, boat trips, and a cafe. It is a great place to begin
Scramble to the Secret Falls, Near Dorking, Surrey Hills
Our visits to Broadmoor always make us feel like jungle explorers on an expedition to find a secret waterfall. I like to think this is because the woods have a wild, jungle-like
Splash Around Friday Street, Near Dorking, Surrey Hills
Nestled in the Surrey Hills is Friday Street, a quiet hamlet with paddling spots, a mill pond, shady woods, and even some scarecrows. It’s a beautiful place to explore
Rock Pool, Fossil Hunt and Snorkel at Kimmeridge Bay
I love everything about Kimmeridge Bay – the picturesque drive from the main road, the views out across the bay, the fossils hidden in the cliffs and along the beach
Enjoy Ponies and Paddles at Latchmoor Brook, The New Forest
Latchmoor Brook is a shallow stream on the edge of the New Forest where you can see ponies, picnic, paddle and hunt for fossils. You will definitely need your wellies!
The Splashtastic Locks Ride Splash Pad, Winkfield
Locks Ride Recreation Ground Splash Pad and Play Area is the perfect place to spend a summery day. It has a beautiful play area with sand pits, water play areas,
Great Hollands Recreation Ground, Bracknell
Great Hollands is the largest of Bracknell Town Council’s recreation areas. It has a range of facilities including a paddling pool, sports pitches and a play area.