Follow the Gruffalo and Friends Through Alice Holt Forest
What would you discover if you “took a stroll through a deep dark wood”? In Alice Holt Forest, it could be almost anything – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, adventure play
What would you discover if you “took a stroll through a deep dark wood”? In Alice Holt Forest, it could be almost anything – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, adventure play
Timberline Adventure Play Area is a huge obstacle course that is a fun place to play The Floor is Lava. It is hidden away in Alice Holt Forest, about a five minute walk from
Today I found out that the Dragonfly Trail along the Thursley Common boardwalk has been rebuilt and is open! At its best, there is something almost primeval
Stumbling across a canal flowing over a bridge is one of the biggest surprises I have had on a local walk! The Ash Aqueduct and three play areas all wait along Section 3
Along the Blackwater are patches where you can find four and even five leaf clovers. These are very rare so be sure to only give one to someone you love very much!
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
Rowhill Nature Reserve hides the source of the River Blackwater amongst charismatically named areas like Stickleback Pond, Rhododendron
A Stone Age quarry hides in the deepest parts of Shere Woodlands. Tracking it down was one of those wild occasions where I began to feel like an explorer…
There is something magical about Shere Woodlands. Maybe it’s the paths that twist past old, gnarled trees, secret hideouts and quiet copses. Maybe it’s the stone
There are two places to play at Polesden Lacey – Kestrel Corner Play Area and the play areas scattered amongst the trees lining the paths. Kestrel Corner Play Area
Once described as a ‘delicious house’ by the Queen Mother, Polesden Lacey is a gorgeous place to spend a day, with plenty of places to play and picnic.
Wellington watches over the start of Wellesley Woodlands’ brass rubbing trail, which leads you through the woods to 10 different posts and a WW1 firing wall complete
Scattered along the River Tillingbourne at Chilworth are what remains of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. Today the area has been reclaimed by nature and
Walking through the forest at Rushmere Country Park is like strolling through a fairy tale. It feels every bit the enchanted forest with fairy doors, giants’ chairs
Aldenham Country Park’s brightly coloured adventure play area is full of places to play. It is situated next to the SEND pavillion and has bookable sessions that are
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
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
If, like me, you have ever watched children tackling a play area obstacle course and wished it was big enough for you to have a go, then the assault course at Queen Elizabeth
The obstacle-packed Juniper Adventure Play Trail hides amongst the trees at the very top of Queen Elizabeth Country Park, right next to an adult-sized assault course.
Don’t be put off by the steep, tree-covered hill that looms over the Queen Elizabeth Country Park’s Visitor Centre as you arrive. This country park is easily
Moors Valley Country Park is full of fantastical places to play, some in traditional play area settings and others scattered through its beautiful woodland.
Moors Valley Country Park is outstanding, a special combination of fun, magic and nature. We were blown away by the marvellous play areas, enchanting play trail
The trains of Moors Valley Railway huff and puff their way between Lakeside and Kingsmere stations travelling over a bridge and through two tunnels
Lily Hill Park’s picnic credentials are impeccable – it’s been voted the UK’s second most beautiful picnic spot and is also the proud owner of the UK’s longest picnic
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
With ships to skipper, a fort to storm and a train to drive, the adventure play area at The Look Out Discovery Centre is exceptional. Children can play
Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It’s a picturesque castle that has everything a castle should have – a drawbridge, a moat
Hever Castle has a fabulous adventure play area centred around a huge wooden castle – can you find the secret passage into the castle, dodge the knights,
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
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
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
“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
Itchen Valley Country Park bursts with places to play and trails to try, including an adventure play trail through the woods, two play areas, and a brass rubbing nature trail.
Elizabeth I is one of my favourite historical figures so I was always going to love Hatfield House. This is where Elizabeth grew up, spent periods of house arrest,
Lightwater Country Park has everything younger children enjoy and all in a relatively small space. At its centre is a newly refurbished adventure play area and
A walk up Chinthurst Hill is guaranteed to involve some climbing – there are stairs and gentle slopes to tackle on the path and trees and tangled logs
At Headley Heath you can follow undulating trails through heathland, woodland and chalk hillside, passing ponds, view points and WW2
Hidden behind this unassuming exterior lies a woodland wonderland perfect for going wild and having an adventure. With something to explore around
I first fell in love with Basildon Park whilst watching Mr Bingley gaze longingly after Jane Bennet from the house’s balcony in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice.
If you have ever caught a fleeting glimpse of a deer and wished the experience had lasted longer, then Bolderwood is the place for you. Famous for the herds of
Great Binfield, The Giant of Basingstoke is a story trail* that guides you on a quest to find Great Binfield, a giant who lives in a woodland castle
Following the Riverside Railway Walk is just like riding a train. The route is fairly straight, passes old railway relics, crosses several sturdy bridges and gradually
We went to Fleet Pond to try a story trail called “The Princess, the Pike and the Pond”, one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails*. I love the idea of these trails and couldn’t wait
Fleet Pond has plenty to explore – boardwalks, jetties, three different trails, a beach with a paddling area and lots of ducks, swans and waterbirds. The area is a
South Hill Park is a grand stately home turned arts venue, which is surrounded by gardens, lakes, woods, and three very different play areas. The grounds divide into
Ambarrow Court’s circular nature trail twists through shady woodland, over bridges and past wildflowers. It also hides a permanent orienteering course.
Zebon Copse Nature Reserve was all wonderfully overgrown when we visited. We followed the path to the boardwalk, winding our way through woodland, ponds