Zebon Copse Nature Reserve

Zebon Copse Nature Reserve is small so it suits little legs. It is a mixture of woodland paths guiding you through the trees

and boardwalks flying you over mires.

There are information boards and maps scattered along the way.

We spotted caterpillars, butterflies, spiders, damselflies and birds. Also a huge orange fungus so big, we had to take a photo with a £1 coin for scale!

The Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke Canal flows along Zebon Copse Nature Reserve.

Zephon Common Swing Bridge

The Zephon Common Swing Bridge, takes the nature reserve footpath over one of only two swing bridges on the Basingstoke Canal.

As luck would have it, when we arrived the crew of Bramble were preparing to open the bridge!

It took some effort, but after some serious heaving the bridge began to swing, pivoting on its nature reserve end.

With impressive skill, the Captain of Bramble manoeuvered through the narrow gap.

And the bridge closed again, as if nothing had happened!

A Circular Walk Along the Basingstoke Canal

There is a lovely circular walk from the Zebon Copse car park, through the nature reserve, along the Basingstoke Canal and ending at the play areas.

The Zebon Copse Play Areas

Next to the nature reserve is the fantastic Zebon Copse Play Area. It has an area for younger children

and another area for older children with the longest obstacle course we have seen!

Finding the Reserve and Canal

If you stand in the car park with your back to the play area, there is a little footpath hidden under the trees. This will take you towards the Zebon Copse Nature Reserve and also the Basingstoke Canal.

Signposts on the right mark the entrance to the nature reserve.

The Basingstoke Canal is at the end of this path and on the left at the end. This is an easy five minute walk from the car park.

Nearest Town: Church Crookham, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU52 0ZE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area and a short walk from the nature reserve.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

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

Zebon Copse Junior Play Area

This is for children aged between 3 and 12 years and has:

• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps, a cargo net, a climbing wall, and fireman’s pole
• a roundabout that you pedal around
• an obstacle course with bouncy mushrooms
• toddler swings.

Zebon Copse Adventure Play Area

This is for children aged up to 14 years old and the equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• swings
• a long obstacle course with scramble nets, swinging ropes, balance beams, wobbly logs and log stumps
• rocks with climbing walls. 

There is also a sport wall with a football goal and basketball net

and a large field.

A Circular Walk Along the Basingstoke Canal

If you keep walking past the adventure play area, through the trees, you will come to a little hill

with views from the top (currently of a housing development construction site – so don’t expect tranquility) and a seat.

Continue walking over the hill and down the other side and you come to a little road. Turn right and the Basingstoke Canal is just a short walk away.

Turn right along the canal and keep walking until you come to the swing bridge.

Cross the bridge and you pick up the main path through Zebon Copse Nature Reserve.

Zebon Copse Nature Reserve

From here, you can either go straight back to the car park and play areas by following the main path into the nature reserve and taking the first right.

Alternatively, you can take the first left, which leads you over the nature reserve’s wild-feel boardwalk.

This stretch of boardwalk is a loop that explores the pond and mire

before finishing back on the main path between the bridge and the play area car park.

There are maps on boards along the way to guide your walk.

Nearest Town: Church Crookham, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU52 0ZE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Zebon Copse Play Area in Church Crookham, near Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Big and Small Flashes

There are two types of flashes. The big flashes are lakes that predate the canal.

The smaller flashes are natural depressions that flooded when the canal was created. 

This bridge hides…

…a gorgeous lake!

Along this section of the canal you find Anglers’ Flash, Greatbottom Flash, Rushmoor Flash and Claycart Flash.  

Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you on a 3 mile walk from the Basingstoke Canal Centre in Mytchett 

to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot. 

This is not a circular path. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at the Basingstoke Canal Centre, which has a play area and cafe. 

Then you pass two areas where the canal opens up – Mytchett Lake and Anglers’ Flash. 

From here it is on to the Ash Aqueduct, which flies the canal over the A331

and on to Ash Lock.

Along the way you go under bridges, 

some of which are very low

and come complete with graffiti!

Your destination is Wellesley Woodlands with its paths, brass rubbing and activity trails. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal with plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks. 

You can often spot hidden herons…

…and a fox ran out across the path when I was cycling. 

The Walk or Cycle

This section of the towpath is 3 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 2.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace.

I often cycle this route and it takes about 30 minutes to go from the Canal Centre to Wellesley Woodlands. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but can be muddy in places if it has been raining. The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along. 

There is a road crossing at Ash Lock, so you need to take care. 

Where to Next?

North – Section 5: The Deepcut Flight between Curzon Bridge and the Canal Centre    

South – Section 7: Wellesley Woods to Fleet to Crookham Wharf

Nearest Town: Mytchett or Aldershot (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD (the Canal Centre). GU11 2RE (Wellesley Woodlands).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or eat at a cafe or pub along the way. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at Ash Lock and also at Wellesley Woodlands.  There is a cafe and picnic area at the Canal Centre. You also pass a canal-side pub, The Swan, just before you reach Ash Vale. At Ash Vale there are shops and a cafe. 

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car at the Basingstoke Canal Centre (GU16 6DD) and a second at Wellesley Woodlands (GU11 2RE).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to the Section 6 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from the Canal Centre in Mytchett to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you on a 2.75 mile walk from Curzon Bridge in Deepcut 

to the Canal Centre in Mytchett. This is not a circular path. 

The Deepcut Flight

Section 5 includes the last 3 locks of Deepcut Flight, which is a series of 14 locks on the Basingstoke Canal between Pirbright and Surrey Heath. 

In total these locks raise boats by nearly 100 feet in just 2 miles!

The Locks

The locks have two enormous wooden doors at each end with huge levers. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at Curzon Bridge, a modern bridge that shelters Lock 25 

and leads you past Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, one with a castle theme 

and a second with a woodland feel.  

About a ten to twenty minute walk further down the Basingstoke Canal takes you to the end of this section and the Basingstoke Canal Centre. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal with plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks. 

You often spot herons too, either frozen in the canal or wobbling along the path itself. 

The Walk 

This section of the towpath is 2.75 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 2 hours, walking at a child’s pace.

I often cycle this route and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the Canal Centre from Curzon Bridge. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but does rise a little along this stretch. This means that at each lock there is a little hill but nothing we found strenuous. 

The towpath can be muddy in places so be sure to bring wellies if it has been raining.

The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along. 

There is a road crossing and then a section where you walk along a road so you need to take care. 

Where to Next?

North – Section 4: The Deepcut Flight between Pirbright Bridge and Curzon Bridge    

South – Section 6: Canal Centre to Ash Lock to Wellesley Woods

Nearest Town: Deepcut or Mytchett (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU24 0DN (from Deepcut). The Deepcut postcode will take you to Stanley Hill, which is as close to the Deepcut lay-by as possible to direct with postcodes. The lay-by is actually next to the railway bridge on Gapemouth Road. For the exact location, please see the Where To Go Map as the marker called “Basingstoke Canal Walk 05 – Deepcut to Frimley Green to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre” points to the lay-by. GU16 6DD (from Mytchett). 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at lock 28.  There is a cafe and picnic area at Frimley Lodge Park and the Canal Centre. 

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car in the lay-by on Gapemouth Road (GU24 0PQ – see above for details) and a second car at the Basingstoke Canal Centre (GU16 6DD).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2024

Our visit to the Section 5 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from Curzon Bridge in Deepcut to the Canal Centre in Mytchett is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area

Next to the Canal Centre is a wooden play area with:

• toddler swings
• a springer
• a balance course with nets, tightropes, log stumps, a climbing wall, balance beams and rope swings.

So Much To Do!

There is a wide range of activities on offer: hire boats and canoes, walk to Frimley Lodge, play in the fields, enjoy the towpath,

take narrow boat trips, explore woods and ponds, choose a picnic spot or check out the playground.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

The Canal Centre has information on the canal, a gift shop, a campsite, and public toilets. 

There is also a cafe that serves a selection of refreshments, has indoor tables, and outdoor picnic benches.

Potters’ Pond

Behind the Canal Centre is a pond dipping area 

and a wild woodland 

with paths, ponds, and bridges.

The Towpath

I use an all-terrain buggy when we walk on the towpath. It is generally even but there are quite a few stones, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy. 

We also enjoy cycling along the towpath down to Frimley Lodge Park 

or further afield to see the giant locks that line the Deepcut Flight. 

Explore the Canal on Foot

The Basingstoke Canal has about 33 miles of towpath. 

From the Canal Centre you can walk for about 20 minutes at a slow pace to the well-equipped Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, a trim trail, sports facilities, and a cafe. 

It also has the Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway, which has public running days at various times during the year. 

Explore the Canal by Water

You can also take a trip on Rosebud, a small narrow boat. Trips last about an hour but only run on a limited number of days. 

At certain times of the year rowing boats, canoes and pedalos are available to hire from the Canal Centre too.

The Swing Bridge Closes…

The swing bridge at the Canal Centre closes towards the end of the afternoon. The exact time is usually stated on a sign on the bridge. 

After it closes, you can reach the Canal Centre by crossing the canal at the nearby road bridge, although there is a flight of steps to climb up.

…and so Does the Barrier!

There is a barrier at the entrance to the car park that closes at the end of the day. You cannot enter the car park after it has closed but you can leave – just drive up to the barrier and it will lift. 

Nearest Town: Mytchett, near Farnborough
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD

Opens: The canal is open daily but the Canal Centre has seasonal opening hours. Please see their website for details. 

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

How Long We Spent There: About 2 hours.
Buggies: I use an all terrain buggy as the tow path is generally even but has quite a few stones on it, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy.

Parking: There are two car parks, one just through the entry barrier and another tucked away past the Canal Centre. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Basingstoke Canal Centre and Play Area in Mytchett, near Farnborough, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal Towpath

Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath takes you from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut. 

The is a picturesque two mile walk past 11 of the 14 locks in the Deepcut Flight.

The Deepcut Flight

The Deepcut Flight is a series of 14 locks on the Basingstoke Canal between Pirbright and Surrey Heath.  In total these locks raise boats by nearly 100 feet in just 2 miles!

The Locks

The locks have two enormous wooden doors at each end with huge levers. 

The Route

This section of the towpath starts at Lock 15, which is next to Pirbright Bridge 

and a conveniently placed car park.   

Then heads under Cowshott Bridge to Lock 17.

The Bisley Bullet

Along the path are remnants of the Bisley Bullet, a railway line that connected Brookwood to nearby rifle ranges.  This line was closed in the 1950s, leaving only its brick piers.

Curzon Bridge

The path leads past another seven locks 

and ends at Curzon Bridge, a modern bridge that shelters Lock 25. 

Plenty of Wildlife

Wildlife is everywhere along the canal and we spotted butterflies, caterpillars, spiders, ladybirds, newts, freshwater snails and lots of fish, including a large one that looked like a pike.

There were plenty of waterbirds, including ducks and coots with gorgeous chicks.

The Walk 

This section of the towpath is 2 miles long and is not circular. It took us about 1.5 hours, walking at a child’s pace. I often cycle this route and it takes about 20 minutes to reach Pirbright Bridge from Curzon Bridge. 

Uphill or Downhill?

If you cycle or walk from the Deepcut to Pirbright you go down the hills.  If you cycle in the other direction, you are going uphill. 

The Paths

The towpath is generally flat but does rise 100 feet along this stretch. This means that at each lock there is a little hill but nothing we found strenuous. 

It can be muddy in places so be sure to bring wellies if it has been raining.

The surface can be a little bumpy with stones in some places but is easy to use a bike or buggy along.

Where to Next?

North – Section 3: St John’s to Brookwood to Pirbright Bridge        

South – Section 5: Curzon Bridge to Frimley Green to Canal Centre

Nearest Town: Pirbright or Deepcut (depending on which end you start from)
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU24 0AG (on Pirbright Bridge) or GU24 0DN (from Deepcut). The Deepcut postcode will take you to Stanley Hill, which is as close to the Deepcut lay-by as possible to direct with postcodes. The lay-by is actually next to the railway bridge on Gapemouth Road. For the exact location, please see the Where To Go Map as the marker called “Basingstoke Canal Walk 05 – Deepcut to Frimley Green to Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre” points to the lay-by.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: There is a picnic table along the way at lock 28.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked one car at Pirbright Bridge (where there is room for several cars) and the other at the lay-by on Gapemouth Road (GU24 0PQ – see above for details).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to the Deepcut Flight and Section 4 of the Basingstoke Canal towpath from Pirbright Bridge to Curzon Bridge in Deepcut is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area

Next to the Canal Centre is a small wooden play area with:

• toddler swings
• a springer
• a balance course with nets, tightropes, log stumps, a climbing wall, balance beams, and rope swings.

The Frimley Lodge Park Play Areas

From the Basingstoke Canal Centre you can walk for about 20 minutes to the well-equipped Frimley Lodge Park, which has another two play areas.

Nearest Town: Mytchett, near Farnborough
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD

Opens: The canal is open daily but the Canal Centre has seasonal opening hours. Please see their website for details. 

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

How Long We Spent There: About 2 hours.
Buggies: I use an all terrain buggy as the tow path is generally even but has quite a few stones on it, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy.

Parking: There are two car parks, one just through the entry barrier and another tucked away past the Canal Centre. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada Geese, coots, moorhens, birds, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to Basingstoke Canal Centre and Play Area in Mytchett is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ash Embankment Aqueduct

Built in 1994, the Ash Aqueduct carries the Basingstoke Canal over the A331 dual carriageway and the River Blackwater. 

Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path leads underneath the aqueduct and from down below it looks like a normal road bridge.  

This makes climbing the bridge and discovering a canal a stunning surprise, especially on a sunny day.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

This is 2 miles long and starts at Shawfields or Rowan Field. 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is a convenient place to park near Shawfields.  

Follow the path across the field to a small bridge and turn left onto the Blackwater Valley Path. 

The path will lead you over footbridges

up to the Basingstoke Canal

past Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area

over a couple of roads you need to cross with care 

through narrow paths lined with brambles and stinging nettles 

along the river 

finally ending at North Camp railway station 

and the Old Ford Pub. 

Carrington Recreation Ground

We continue on for a couple of minutes to play at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is also where we park.

River Blackwater

Along Section 3 of the path, the River Blackwater starts to feel like a fully sized river complete with weeds waving in the currents. 

River access becomes very difficult because of the wild vegetation growing alongside. 

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 3

The paths along Section 3 are generally flat with a few gentle inclines and easy to use.  

The paths after Lakeside Nature Reserve can be very narrow, overgrown and muddy with patches of stinging nettles and brambles. 

There is hard surfacing that is said to suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We have all used scooters along this section between Shawfields and Lakeside Nature Reserve without too much difficulty, although the surface can be uneven in places and there are often stones or branches to dodge. 

But the path around Hollybush Pits does not feel like it is surfaced. In some areas it has large chunks of rock and brick sticking out of the ground. This wasn’t a problem for a bike but I have taken a scooter this way before and couldn’t use it. 

We now don’t take scooters beyond Lakeside Nature Reserve.

Would We Go Back?

We probably wouldn’t go back to the whole of Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path because of the paths around Hollybush Pits. 

Instead, we follow a different and circular route!

A Circular Alternative!

We often cycle along the first half of Section 3, beginning at Ivy Road Recreation Ground and cycling for about ten minutes to the Ash Aqueduct.

From here we either follow the Basingstoke Canal tow path 

to Ash Vale for an ice cream, which takes another ten minutes.

From Ash we cycle back to the aqueduct and rejoin the Blackwater Valley Path North and cycle to Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area, which is about a five minute cycle from the aqueduct. 

After Lakeside Play Area we cycle back to the aqueduct and then Ivy Road, which takes about 20 minutes.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Downstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Nearest Town: Ash, Ash Vale, North Camp
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Shawfields/Ivy Road: GU12 4XG
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly up to Lakeside Nature Reserve but can be harder going afterwards. 

Parking: 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. To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG).
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 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Shawfields in Ash to Hollybush Pits in North Camp is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ash Common Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old and includes:

• a train called the Ash Express 
• a mouse springer 
• a rope climbing frame
• a seesaw
• swings

• toddler swings
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a slide, a ladder, monkey bars and a climbing wall 
• a smaller multiplay with board games, easy to climb steps and a little slide
• rubber logs to jump on
• seats.

The Sports Equipment

Next to the play area (up the hill) is a playing field with a basketball net, a football goal and a wooded area.

On the hill next to the play area is a skate park, tennis courts and a basketball net and a kick wall. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal flows along the back of Wharf Road (the main road through the shops).  There are often ducks, swans and geese here. 

To find the canal you have to walk along Ash Hill Road towards Ash shops. Cross Wharf Road and then the canal is in front of you.  Be careful as these roads are often busy.

The Ash Ranges

This is a large heathland nature reserve where you could be lucky enough to spot lizards, snakes, slow worms, birds and insects. In late summer it is carpeted in purple heather. 

Please note: The ranges are used by the MOD and cannot be visited when red flags are flying, the red beacons are lit or the access gates are locked.  Please see the Ash Ranges website for full details. 

One of the entrances to the Ash Ranges is next to the tennis courts.  

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe on nearby Wharf Road. 
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There are two car parks at GU12 5DN – one is next to the Recreation Ground and the other is a little further up Ash Hill Road and next to the skate park and tennis courts.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2022

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

Frimley Lodge Woodland Play Area

This quiet little play area hides in the woods and has equipment for children under the age of 10 years: 

• a multiplay with a slide, fireman’s pole, nets, and a climbing wall
• two springers
• toddler swings.

Frimley Lodge Adventure Play Area

The much larger Frimley Lodge Adventure Play Area is about a five minute walk away.

Sports Facilities

In the woods by the Woodland Play Area is a trim trail.

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway

The Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway weaves its way through the woods. The railway has public running days throughout the year. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal runs along the top of the playing fields. It has ducks to feed and a towpath you can walk along.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

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

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy. There is a car park next to the Woodland Play Area. To find it from the entrance, drive as far right as you can. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

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

Frimley Lodge Park Adventure Play Area

This area has newly installed adventure play equipment, including: 

• a large castle with easy to climb stairs, three slides, climbing nets, and a little treasure chest
• another castle slide with a net bridge, fireman’s pole, a climbing net, easy to climb stairs, and another little treasure chest
• a seesaw springer 
• animal springers 
• a double zip wire 

• a little house
• swings 
• a basket swing
• toddler swings
• a roundabout
• spinners
• puzzle boards 
• a sandpit
• a little running track with challenges
• seats.

The Hidden Woodland Play Area

This quiet little play area is tucked away in the woods and has equipment for children under the age of 10 years: 

• a multiplay with a slide, fireman’s pole, nets, and a climbing wall
• two springers
• toddler swings.

Sports Facilities

Frimley Lodge Park has a trim trail, Parkrun course and a cricket pitch

football pitches and a pitch and putt golf course. 

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway

The Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway weaves its way through the woods. The railway has public running days throughout the year. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal runs along the top of the playing fields. It has ducks to feed and a towpath you can walk along.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

If you turn right when you come to the Basingstoke Canal you can walk to the Basingstoke Canal Visitors’ Centre. This takes about 20 minutes.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

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

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

Our visit to Frimley Lodge Park and the Frimley Lodge Park Adventure Play Areas in Frimley are summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Route

Each train journey lasts about six minutes. 

The trains rumble through the woods

over crossings

past signals

and under bridges.

It is lots of fun and made possible by the enthusiasm of the railway volunteers. All the money they raise goes towards railway maintenance and local charities.

Frimley Lodge Park

The miniature railway is in Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, a trim trail, lots of sports facilities, and a pitch and putt golf course. 

The Basingstoke Canal

Next to the railway is the Basingstoke Canal, which has ducks to feed and is a lovely place for a walk.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

You can also park at the Basingstoke Canal Centre and walk to Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway along the Basingstoke Canal. It takes about 20 minutes.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: There are various public running days throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Adult Cost Range: £0 to £4.99
Child Cost Range: £0 to £4.99
Free if: Under 3

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe in Frimley Lodge Park.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 30 minutes at the railway and another couple of hours in Frimley Lodge Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy on public running days.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

Our visit to Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway at Frimley Lodge Park in Frimley 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.

Odiham Castle Story Trail

It’s a funny story about Henry, a pilgrim making his way from Winchester to Canterbury. He has a couple of mishaps along the way that made my children laugh out loud. 

Henry eventually encounters the French army and the soldiers garrisoned at Odiham Castle, so before starting the story it is helpful to explain some of the castle’s history (thankfully outlined in the story pack!).

The Wildlife

We saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge white bird that turned out to be a great white egret.

Odiham Castle

Odiham Castle was once one of King John’s strongholds. By 1605 the castle lay in ruins. 

By 1605 the castle lay in ruins. Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls. 

Where to Start the Trail

As the story pack suggested, we parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY). 

To reach the towpath from the pub, leave the car park and turn left and then immediately right onto Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS). There are no pavements between the pub and the footpath. 

At the end of the fir hedge on the left-hand side of the lane, is a narrow footpath.  This will take you over the Basingstoke Canal, down a short hill and onto the towpath.

The Paths

The paths were mostly wide level but the towpath can be quite stoney. I did not have any access issues with a double, all-terrain buggy, although it was a little muddy in places. 

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: Odiham, near Fleet and Basingstoke
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1BY

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked in Greywell village at the Fox and Goose pub (RG29 1BY), which the story pack suggested. The pub has a car park. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects. 

Information Written: February 2017

Our visit to the Odiham Caste Story Trail in Odiham, near Fleet and Basingstoke, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Odiham Castle

Odiham Castle is one of only three fortresses built by King John. When construction finished in 1214, it boasted an octagonal keep, walls finished in stone, solid wooden doors, a lead covered roof and protection from the River Whitewater, moats, banks and fences.

The Ruins of King John’s Castle

Despite all this, by 1605 the castle lay in ruins. Today all that remains are the flint cores of the walls.

You cannot climb on these but can walk around the ruins and go inside the keep, where there are information boards about the castle and Magna Carta.

Basingstoke Canal 

The castle can be reached on foot by walking along the beautiful Basingstoke Canal towpath, either from North Warnborough or Greywell village (see below for details). 

We walked from Greywell and saw ducks, moorhens, grey herons and a huge, white bird that turned out to be a great white egret. 

Henry the Forgetful

There is a story trail available to download called “The Story of Henry The Forgetful”, which you can follow from Greywell village to Odiham Castle and back again.

You can read about our walk along the Odiham Castle Story Trail.

The Paths

The Basingstoke Canal tow path is generally wide and level but can be quite stoney. There are no barriers between the path and the canal.

Where to Park

I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). 

From Tunnel Lane

The Basingstoke Canal goes across Tunnel Lane so is easy to find. Walk along the path with the canal on your left and you will arrive at King John’s Castle.

From Greywell Village

To reach the towpath from Greywell village, take the footpath that starts on Deptford Lane (RG29 1BS), which is the road opposite the Fox and Goose pub.

This path is narrow and there is a short hill down to the towpath but this did not cause us a problem and our double buggy went through without issue. Please note that there are no pavements on either Deptford Lane or Hook Road.

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

These are essentially 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.

Finding a Copy of the Story Trail

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 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: Odiham, near Basingstoke and Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG29 1HQ or RG29 1BY (see above).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: I’ve found two options for parking, either Tunnel Lane in North Warnborough (RG29 1HQ) or Greywell village (RG29 1BY). Please see above for full details of parking. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, moorhens, herons, birds and insects. 

Information Written: February 2017

Our visit to Odiham Caste in Odiham, near Basingstoke and Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.