Hurst Spit

Hurst Spit separates the sea and the Lymington River Estuary.  

 

 

 

 

To one side it has mudflats and salt marshes.  

 

 

 

 

To the other it has the sea and views to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. 

 

 

 

 

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

 

 

Walking to Hurst Castle

The walk to the castle is about two miles and is part of the Solent Way.

It is not the easiest of walks.  Sturdy footwear is recommended and it is hard going with a buggy.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

 

 

Sailing to Hurst Castle

If you would like to visit Hurst Castle but don’t fancy the walk or have little ones with you, then consider the Hurst Castle ferry.  

 

 

 

It is a beautiful 20 minute ferry ride through salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats. 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle is an artillery fort that was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII to protect the Solent, Southampton and Portsmouth.

 

 

 

It is one of the best preserved of Henry VIII’s castles and had an active military role until the mid-20th century.

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP takes you to Keyhaven Car Park and if you keep driving, Hurst Spit. 

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Hurst Spit is free. Children under 5 years enter the castle for free.

Where to Eat: Eat at the Hurst Castle cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: January 2023

 

The play area equipment 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.

Nearest Town: Abinger Hammer, Surrey Hills
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 tea room and shop that sells nets, coffees, sandwiches, snacks etc. 

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

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

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

 

The Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround the play area, giving it a shady, peaceful feel. The play equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw
• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall
• balance beams.

 

 

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

 

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

 

 

 

 

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

 

 

 

 

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather. Sometimes there are ducks on it.

 

 

 

The pond is at the end of the stream in the woods on the other side of the road. 

 

 

 

 

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of the enormous fir trees look feathered.

It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel. I find it an ideal place to let the children run around and explore. 

 

 

The Secret Orchard

The is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way.

Nearest Town: Normandy, Near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: April 2023
Information Checked: January 2024

 

Chilbolton War Memorial Playing Field and Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• toddler swings
• swings 
• a basket swing 
• a slide on a hill that is fairly easy to climb
• a tunnel
• a zip wire
• a covered picnic table
• seats for adults

 

Next to the play area is a football pitch and a basketball court.

 

 

 

Chilbolton Cow Common

War Memorial Play Area is on one edge of Chilbolton Cow Common.

 

 

 

 

The River Test runs through the common and there is a gorgeous spot for a little paddle. 

 

 

 

 

Wherwell Village

At the other end of Chilbolton Cow Common is the Long Bridge. 

 

 

 

 

Crossing the Long Bridge will take you on a walk to the picture-perfect village of Wherwell.

 

 

 

 

No Facilities

Chilbolton Cow Common is a beautiful place to visit, have a walk and a little paddle but it is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with rare plants and animals and does not have any facilities so is not somewhere you can spend a full day. 

 

 

Finding the War Memorial Play Area

From the Chilbolton Cow Common car park you can walk two ways.

The path on the right leads to the common and the River Test.

The River Test is about a five minute walk.

The Long Bridge is about a ten to fifteen minute walk. 

 

The path on the left, which is actually a quiet road, leads to the War Memorial Play Area.

It is about a five minute walk. 

Nearest Town: Chilbolton, near Andover and Winchester
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP20 6BD

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

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, herons, kingfishers and other birds, trout and other pond life and cows

Information Written: June 2022

 

Dinosaur Island 

Welcome to Dinosaur Island, a dinosaur-themed adventure play area at Southwater Country Park.

 

 

 

 

Follow the Footprints

When you arrive, a trail of dinosaur footprints lead you on a five to ten minute walk to Dinosaur Island, where adventure awaits…

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area is jam-packed with equipment, including:

• basket swings
• toddler swings
• tyre swings
• wooden climbing frames with balance courses and slides
• a long slide with a choice of easy to climb stairs or a cargo net walkway
• baskets suspended in a rope climbing frame
• aerial walkways
• musical walls
• a zip wire
• bridges
• a roundabout
• a seesaw
• a springer
• a spider web climbing frame and
• a sand play area with buckets, pulleys and dinosaur bones to excavate.

 

Southwater Country Park 

As well as Dinosaur Island, Southwater Country Park has an orienteering course 

 

 

 

 

and a lake, nature area,

 

 

 

 

 

a beach with a swimming area and a water sports centre where you can kayak, canoe, sail and paddle board.

 

Nearest Town: Horsham, near Crawley
County: West Sussex
Nearest Postcode: RH13 9UN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: At the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: Good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: From Various depending on when you visit – please see their website for full details.

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

Information Written: January 2017
Information Checked: October 2020

 

Stockbridge Common Marsh

As you enter Stockbridge Common Marsh you pass a National Trust sign that says ‘The Lions Den’ and I have absolutely no idea why!

 

 

 

The common is mainly grassland where you can walk and picnic during dry weather.

 

 

 

 

A tributary of the River Test flows along one edge.

 

 

 

 

If you look carefully you may spot brown trout.

 

 

 

 

 

Paddling

Children can have a little paddle by the bridge

 

 

 

 

but they may not be alone!

 

 

 

 

 

Stockbridge Town

If you cross the bridge and walk a short way, you come to the pretty town of Stockbridge.

 

 

 

 

The River Test flows through the town, past shops and places to eat. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are flat and easy to walk on but can become boggy and muddy during wetter weather.

 

Nearest Town: Stockbridge, near Andover and Winchester
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO20 6JA 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: You might be able to use an all terrain buggy.

Parking: There is a car park but it can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects; herons, kingfishers and other birds; brown trout,  other fish and pond life; cows and water voles.

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Fire

At the end of May 2020, a fire tore through the boardwalk area. Lots of trees and vegetation were lost and so was the boardwalk, with its Dragonfly Trail.

 

This is a picture of Moat Pond before the fire.

 

 

 

 

This is roughly the same area after the fire. 

 

 

 

 

 

Moat Pond

We start our visit at Moat Pond, which is almost always smelling of pine and covered in ducks.

In the autumn it is surrounded by fungus – we spotted 50 different types last autumn! (I’m sure it goes without saying but we never touch fungus, we just look at it).

 

 

The Dragonfly Trail

This leads you along the boardwalk and over the peat bogs.

 

 

 

 

Along the way you can spot lots of insects and lizards

 

 

 

 

 

and also sundews.

 

 

 

 

 

The Trails

When we want a short visit we walk around Moat Pond and watch the wildlife from one of the many little beach-like areas.

If we are after a longer walk, we venture along one of the marked trails. 

 

 

 

The Wildlife

Thursley Common teems with nature and you can almost always see something wonderful.

 

 

 

 

From spring to autumn, you can see animals on every visit, including animals such as dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, and spiders.

On one visit there were thousands of tiny toads hopping across the paths in every direction. 

 

 

The Lizards

The lizards are easiest to see when warming themselves on the boardwalk during sunny days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thor’s Den

There is nearby a play area called Thor’s Den on the edge of Thursley Common.

You can walk there from Moat Pond but it is quite far so you may prefer to drive (GU8 6QD).

Nearest Town: Thursley, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: Up to 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly – we use an all terrain buggy as some areas are sandy and there are roots along some of the paths. 

Parking: There are lots of places to park along the road and a few car parks. We use the Moat Pond car park (GU8 6LW) as it is closest to Moat Pond. 
Cost of Parking: Free but a donation using a parking app is suggested.

Wildlife You Might See: Toads, frogs, wood ants, dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, spiders, grasshoppers and ducks.

Information Written: July 2019
Information Checked: October 2023

 

The River Hamble Adventure Play Area

Barnfield has a wooden play area with a nautical theme and two ships to sail, capture, climb the rigging and walk the plank.

 

 

 

It has play equipment including:

• a long rope swing
• a musical wall
• a larger ship with a wobbly bridge, nets, ladders and a chutes and pulleys system, 
• a smaller ship with a slide and a climbing wall
• a crow’s nest with a ladder.

 

It looks like they are putting in more equipment too.  

 

 

River Hamble Country Park

River Hamble Country Park has trails, a story trail, Manor Farm, access to the River Hamble and a pontoon you can go crabbing from. 

 

 

 

You might also be able to spot the remains of Henry V’s flag ship, the Grace Dieu.

In 1439 she was struck by lightning, caught fire and burned to the water level.

 

 

The ship’s size is marked out next to the adventure play area. The mast of the ship would have been the same length!

 

 

 

 

The Trails

Waymarked trails criss-cross the country park, passing through woods, along the River Hamble and to a pontoon.

 

 

 

The path from the adventure play area leads you into the woods and along the River Hamble. 

 

 

 

 

The River Hamble

There are a couple of places along the path to the pontoon where you can access the river.

 

 

 

 

You can also go crabbing.

 

 

Nearest Town: Bursledon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 1BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free but there is an entry fee for Manor Farm.

Where to Eat: At one of the cafes, rent a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, cafe, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Several car parks. The ticket machines take cash but you can buy a car park ticket with a card at the Manor Farm Visitor Centre.
Cost of Parking: From £2.50 for the first hour but capped at £7.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, birds, deer and maybe the odd fairy or two if you follow the story trail!

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

 

Ashford Hangers

The Ashford Hangers is a National Nature Reserve with invigoratingly steep hillsides covered in clinging trees

 

 

 

 

and breathtaking views extending across Hampshire and Sussex.

 

 

 

 

Wheatham Hill

Wheatham Hill is 249m high, making it one of the highest hills in Hampshire.

At the top is a trig point, a bench and a spectacular spot for a picnic. 

 

 

 

The beautiful views extend to Selbourne Common and beyond to what I think are the Hogs Back, Gibbet Hill and Crooksbury Hill. 

 

 

 

 

Cobbett’s View

William Cobbett (1763-1835) was many things – radical, journalist, farmer, MP, political and social reformer.

Starting in 1822, he went on a series of journeys to see for himself the conditions of rural life. He recorded his findings, which became the book Rural Rides.

 

 

 

On 24 November 1822, Cobbett arrived at the Ashford Hangers and describes his adventure through the hangers to Wheatham Hill, which is now known As Cobbett’s View.

 

 

 

To the Top!

I will let William Cobbett explain about the spectacular joys of walking to the top of Wheatham Hill!

 

 

 

 

“On we trotted up this pretty green lane; and indeed, we had been coming gently and generally up hill for a good while.

 

 

 

“The lane was between highish banks and pretty high stuff growing on the banks, so that we could see no distance from us,

 

 

 

“and could receive not the smallest hint of what was so near at hand.

 

 

 

 

“The lane had a little turn towards the end; so that, out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life, was I so surprised and so delighted!

 

 

 

“I pulled up my horse, and sat and looked; and it was like looking from the top of a castle down into the sea, except that the valley was land and not water.

 

 

 

“I looked at my servant, to see what effect this unexpected sight had upon him. His surprise was as great as mine, though he had been bred amongst the North Hampshire hills. Those who had so strenuously dwelt on the dirt and dangers of this route, had said not a word about beauties, the matchless beauties of the scenery.

 

“These hangers are woods on the sides of very steep hills. The trees and underwood hang, in some sort, to the ground, instead of standing on it. Hence these places are called Hangers.”

 

 

 

The above description of Cobbett’s adventure in the Ashford Hangers starts on page 127 of Rural Rides. You can find a free online copy on the Project Gutenberg website. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Wheatham Hill

There are different ways to reach Wheatham Hill and the top of the Ashford Hangers but these are the two routes I use:

 

From Lutcombe Pond:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow the path that runs along Ashford Stream, keeping Lutcombe Pond on your right.

Keep walking straight up the hill and when you are nearly at the top,  you come to these steps. Follow this path to Shoulder of Mutton Hill

 

and then on to Wheatham Hill, which is at the top of these stairs.

 

 

 

 

From Ashford Farm:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, 

 

 

 

 

follow this path as it leads up the hangers.  

 

 

 

 

After a steep climb and some twists and turns, you will find yourself at these same stairs and Wheatham Hill. 

 

Nearest Town: Steep, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1AB or GU32 1AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths up the hangers are often steep and/or narrow. I have seen a couple of families taking little children on these walks but never with buggies. 

Parking: There is a small space for a few cars to park off the road (GU32 1AB) on Ashford Lane. There is also an area where cars park to the side of Ashford Farm (GU32 1AA). 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: January 2024

 

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

 

 

 

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

 

 

 

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather and sometimes there are ducks on it.

 

 

 

The pond is in the woods at the end of the stream on the other side of the road. 

 

 

 

 

To find the pond, cross Hunts Hill Road (the road the car parks are on). There is a footpath and bridge immediately on your left, which takes you into the woods and then onto Normandy Pond. 

 

 

 

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of its enormous and feathery fir trees.

It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel. I find it an ideal place to let the children run around and explore. 

 

 

The Secret Orchard

This is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way.

The boards say, “All wildlife and visitors can enjoy a variety of true and traditional fruit flavours.”

 

We visited in September and found pear, apple, plum, and cherry trees.

We also saw a mulberry bush, which I knew from the nursery rhyme but had never actually seen. 

 

 

 

Finding the Woods and Orchard

Leave the play area and walk over the football pitch towards the red bin. Walk over the bridge and onto the cricket ground until you reach the cricket building.

 

 

 

Walk across the car park to the woods and take the footpath marked as a Permissive Horse Ride.

 

 

 

 

Follow this path until you come to the entrance to the Wispy Woods on the left.

 

 

 

 

To reach the orchard, keep following this path beyond the woods, ignoring any side paths.

There is a large bend to the right and then a smaller bend to the left and the orchard is up a slight hill and on the right. It is about a five minute walk from the Wispy Woods.

 

The orchard and woods are clearly marked on the car park maps. If it is your first visit, then consider taking a photo of the map with you. 

 

The Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround Normandy Common Play Area, making it a shady, peaceful place to play. The equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw
• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall and balance beams that together make an obstacle course.

 

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

Nearest Town: Normandy, Near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: July 2016
Information Checked: January 2024