The Playground

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

 

The Play Area for Younger Children

The first play area is for younger children up to the age of 12 years and has:

• a sand play area
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a seesaw
• a play house
• spinners
• a roundabout and
• an entertaining multiplay with three slides, nets, a climbing wall, fireman’s poles, binoculars, a loud hailer and an easy access ramp.

 

The Play Area for Older Children

The second play area is for older children and has:

• various swings
• a basket swing
• an obstacle course
• a climbing pole
• a rope climbing frame
• a trampoline
• a much larger slide that can be reached by climbing ropes, a climbing wall or a ladder and
• picnic tabes.

 

Sports Grounds

Also at the park are football, rugby and cricket pitches.

 

 

 

 

Scooters and Bikes

A scooter track runs through the play area.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a surfaced path that runs around the outside of the play area and past the lake, which you can cycle or scooter along. 

 

 

 

The Lake

Around the outside of the play areas is a fishing lake with ducks, swans and geese. 

 

 

 

 

Parkside’s Cafe in the Park

There are also picnic tables, public toilets and Parkside’s Cafe in the Park, a cafe run by a local charity.

 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Path

If you fancy a walk then head over the playing fields towards the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Valley Path where we found butterflies, ducks and caterpillars.

 

 

 

Aldershot Park is on Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path. 

 

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4BP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at Parkside’s Cafe in the Park. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

 

The Adventure Play Area

This exciting adventure play area has wooden play equipment, including:

• climbing frames with nets and ropes
• a climbing wall
• a zip wire
• a slide with nets
• basket swings
• mushrooms and animals 
• a tunnel
• sand play areas
• puzzle boards
• musical instruments
• a water play area with a water pump
• swings
• a roundabout
• seats
  

 

At the time of writing, you have to book to use the play area and there was a charge of £3.

Some sessions are exclusively for children with special needs. 

 

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park itself is full of things to do, including orienteering and cycling trails 

 

 

 

 

mini golf and trampolines.

 

 

 

 

 

100 Aker Wood

It also has a recreation of 100 Aker Wood, which is magical. 

Hidden along the trail are places like Winnie the Pooh’s house

 

 

 

Eeyore’s Gloomy Place

 

 

 

 

 

and a bridge to play Poohsticks.

 

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On Aldenham Country Park Farm, a route leads you past farm animals, including cows, pigs, goats, donkeys and ducks.  

 

 

 

We even spotted Winnie the Pooh!

 

 

Nearest Town: Elstree, near Watford
County: Hertfordshire
Nearest Postcode: WD6 3BA

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Child Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Free If: You are only visiting the Country Park.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour at the play area, 2 hours at the farm and the rest of the day in the Country Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park. 
Cost of Parking: From £4.50 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and insects and farm animals – cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs – maybe even Winnie the Pooh!

Information Written: July 2022

 

The Pirate Ship Area

The pirate ship multiplay has a slide, a hammock, a cargo net, a climbing wall and easy to climb steps.

 

 

 

 

Next to it is a water play area with wheels, chutes and a water pump.

 

 

 

 

There is also a wide slide with a ramp, a spinning disc

 

 

 

 

and a rock pile and basket swing.

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area has the following equipment:

• a tube slide and wooden climbing frame with a climbing wall, a ladder, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden climbing frame made of logs
• an obstacle course with nets, wobbly logs and ropes
• a spinning disc
• hammocks 
• musical stepping stones
• toddler swings
• swings
• a cradle swing
• a zip wire
• a trampoline
• picnic tables
• seats.

 

The Cafe

Next to the play area is Jackson’s cafe

 

 

 

 

and also a kiosk.

 

 

 

 

 

The Paddling Pool

California Country Park has a paddling pool you pay to use.

At the time of writing it was £2.90 for anyone entering the water and £1.20 for adults going in to supervise but not swim.  

This is only open during the summer.

 

 

California Country Park

As well as the adventure play area, Calirfornia Country Park has four main areas – Longmoor Lake, heathland, woodland and Longmoor Bog, an 8,000 year old mire accessible by boardwalk.

 

 

 

The Walks

The park map suggests different  walks that take you around the lake, through some woodland or over a small boardwalk. 

 

 

 

 

Scooters and Bikes

We often take bikes and scooters on a twenty minute, circular route around the lake.  

This route is surfaced and starts and finishes at the adventure play area.

Nearest Town: Finchamstead
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG40 4HU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various charges depending on the season. 

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, snakes, birds, ducks, swans, geese and other birds.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

 

The Assault Course

Suitable for those over 1.4m tall only, the assault course has 12 obstacles and a 250m run.

 

 

 

 

Each obstacle has an instruction board

 

 

 

 

 

to guide you as you go up

 

 

 

 

 

 

under

 

 

 

 

 

over

 

 

 

 

 

and through! 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Visitor Centre, the assault course is either a 5 minute drive or a 15 minute walk uphill.

 

 

 

 

Juniper Adventure Play Trail

Next to the assault course is a smaller obstacle course, which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Adventure Play Area:

• a wooden multi-play with a tunnel slide, cargo net, ladder and bridge
• two log cabin climbing frames
• an obstacle course with ropes, logs, bridges, and cargo nets
• a zip wire and
• picnic tables.

 

 

A Pizza Oven!

There is also a brick pizza oven you can hire next to the assault course and adventure play area!

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Queen Elizabeth Country Park has lots of activities to try, including walking, cycling and mountain biking trails, orienteering trails and nature areas.

 

 

 

It has a Visitor Centre, shop, cafe and a kiosk.

 

 

 

 

 

Butser Hill

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is at the bottom of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Butser Hill is is one of the highest points in Hampshire with beautiful views towards the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. It is also an ideal spot for kite flying.

 

Nearest Town: Horndean, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO8 0QE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or pizza oven, bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, a kiosk at the adventure play trail, shop, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

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

Parking: There are several different car parks to choose from. 
Cost of Parking: From £2 per hour.

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

Information Written: February 2023

 

Juniper Adventure Play Trail

This adventure play area has:

• a wooden multi-play with a tunnel slide, cargo net, ladder and bridge
• two log cabin climbing frames
• an obstacle course with ropes, logs, bridges, and cargo nets
• a zip wire and
• picnic tables.

 

From the Visitor Centre, the play trail is either a 5 minute drive or a 15 minute walk uphill.

 

 

The Assault Course

Suitable for those over 1.4m tall only, the assault course is hidden in the woods to the right of the adventure play trail and has 12 obstacles and a 250m run.

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Queen Elizabeth Country Park has lots of activities to try, including walking, cycling and mountain biking trails, orienteering trails and nature areas.

 

 

 

It has a Visitor Centre, shop, cafe and a kiosk.

 

 

 

 

There is even a brick pizza oven you can hire next to the adventure play area!

 

 

 

 

Butser Hill

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is at the bottom of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Butser Hill is is one of the highest points in Hampshire with beautiful views towards the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. It is also an ideal spot for kite flying.

 

 

 

The Dragon of Butser Hill

There is a Hampshire County Council Story Trail called “The Dragon of Butser Hill” that tells you a story about knights, damsels, giants and dragons as it winds around the hilltop.

 

Nearest Town: Horndean, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO8 0QE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or pizza oven, bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, a kiosk at the adventure play trail, shop, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

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

Parking: There are several different car parks to choose from. 
Cost of Parking: From £2 per hour.

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

Information Written: July 2016
Information Checked: February 2023

 

Your Mission…

Can you creep through the tunnel without waking the fox and badger, who have both fallen asleep on guard duty?

 

 

 

What’s the best way to run the gauntlet and escape the clutches of the giant jumping spider?

 

 

 

 

How quickly can you scale the eagle’s tower?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it possible to defend the swamp fortress at each of its many entry points?

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

Little ones will probably need some help with the equipment, which is for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• slides
• a seesaw
• a zip wire
• a tunnel in the hillside
• a spider and web to climb on
• a fort with rope bridges, climbing walls, ladders and nets
• an obstacle course
• a wobbly bridge
• a trim trail with bars, ropes and beams
• a picnic table
• seats.

 

A Surprise Second Play Area

Farnham Park also has another play area called Farnham Park St James Play Area, which is a more traditional play area aimed at younger children.

It is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the adventure play area.

 

 

Farnham Park Itself

Farnham Park is a 320 acre medieval deer park with a rural feel.

 

 

 

 

It’s a beautiful spot to go for a walk across rolling fields, through wooded areas and over hills with views.

 

 

 

 

We found plenty of places to play hide and seek, find secret dens and hunt for mini-beasts.

 

 

 

 

Paddling and Ponds

There are also some small streams you can paddle in and some wild ponds.

You can find a map of Farnham Park on the local council’s website.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 0AU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables and a cafe. 
Facilities: Toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. The main paths are well surfaced and there are smaller paths over the grassy fields.

Parking: There are two car parks both of which are on Folly Hill – the main car park is near Farnham Castle (GU9 0AU) and the second, smaller car park is called Farnham Park Rangers Car Park and is a little further up Folly Hill (with Farnham and Farnham Castle behind you) and on the right. 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

 

Ascot Heath

Ascot Heath sits in the centre of Ascot Racecourse.

 

 

 

 

A surfaced path runs along the racetrack that you can scooter or cycle along.

 

 

 

 

These paths can be a little bumpy in places.

 

 

 

 

 

Ascot Racecourse

Around the racecourse you can spot the grandstand

 

 

 

 

enormously tall fences the horses jump over

 

 

 

 

a helicopter pad

 

 

 

 

 

a moveable piece of race track

 

 

 

 

 

points where different races start

 

 

 

 

 

a pond with a fountain (but this is fenced off)

 

 

 

 

and a tower for filming the races.

 

 

 

 

 

The Underpass

To find Ascot Heath and the Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area, head through the underpass and up onto Ascot Heath.

Go straight across the heath and the play area is on the right opposite the Grandstand.

 

The Ascot Racecourse Play Area 

The Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area has equipment said to be suitable for children up to 12 years old and includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• a climbing frame for older children with  spins
• a multiplay with a slide, climbing wall, nets, ladders and a fireman’s pole
• seats for adults.

Nearest Town: Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 7LJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is no car park but you can park next to the underpass on the road that leads towards the Royal Ascot Golf Club. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area 

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children up to 12 years old and includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• a climbing frame for older children with  spins
• a multiplay with a slide, climbing wall, nets, ladders and a fireman’s pole
• seats for adults.

 

Ascot Heath

The play area is on Ascot Heath, which is in the centre of Ascot Racecourse.

 

 

 

 

A surfaced path runs along the racetrack that you can scooter or cycle along.

 

 

 

 

Ascot Racecourse

There is plenty to spot around the racecourse, including a helipad, the enormous grandstand and the huge fences that the horses jump. 

 

 

 

 

The Underpass

To find the play area, head through the underpass tunnel and up onto Ascot Heath.

Go straight across the heath and the play area is on the right opposite the Grandstand.

Nearest Town: Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 7LJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is no car park but you can park next to the underpass on the road that leads towards the Royal Ascot Golf Club. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2022

 

The House and Gardens

Around the house are some old stables, a cafe, a picnic area and a shop.

The more formal gardens have a temple and an ice house to visit and space hoppers to bounce around on. These gardens are only open on certain days so be sure to check their website before you go.

We have not been inside the house. 

 

 

The Parkland

There are 400 acres of parkland and woods to explore. Cattle roam freely so watch where you step!

Please see the Hatchlands Park website for a map with full details.

 

 

Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren

This is a cross between an adventure play area and a natural play area and has a wooden tree house, den building area, fairy doors and a play area of logs, tree stumps, wooden sculptures and tunnels.

 

 

 

 

 

The Geocaches

Hatchlands Park has 11 geocaches to track down.

 

 

 

We had lots of fun hunting for one near the house. It had a log book to sign and little treasures, including an interesting looking football figure, which we swapped for one of our treasures.

Please visit the Hatchlands Park website for further details.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

There are marked trails around the parkland of varying lengths.

The red route has a hard surface but I have managed each trail with an all terrain buggy without any problems.

The parkland can be very muddy in wet weather.

 

Nearest Town: East Clandon, near Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 7RT

Adult Cost Range: £5 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £9.99
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: There is a cafe and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, cafe, picnic area, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly but the fields become very muddy in the colder months.

Parking: There is a good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free with entry or with National Trust membership.

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, donkeys, birds and lots of insects.

Information Written: March 2017