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 2024

 

The equipment includes:

• toddler swings (with short ropes)
• a very small slide for young children with musical chimes and cogs
• a larger slide and multiplay with bridges and an abacus
• two deer springers
• a seesaw
• a basket swing
• a roundabout
• a zip wire
• a picnic table
• seats for adults.

 

 

Note that the larger slide is best suited to older children – it does not have easy to climb stairs and has a high, wobbly bridge.

 

Nearest Town: Thursley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6QD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic tables.

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: October 2024

 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 4: Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

This is 2 miles long and starts near North Camp railway station.

 

 

 

 

We parked at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is very near to the station and also has a play area.

 

 

 

From here the path follows not just the River Blackwater

 

 

 

 

but also the A331 dual carriageway.

The road noise can be overpowering.

 

 

 

There are places to stop and rest along the way,

 

 

 

 

some pretty views of the River Blackwater

 

 

 

 

and also the local concrete and recycling plants. 

 

 

 

 

This section of the path ends at Coleford Bridge and the Kingfisher on the Quay pub.

 

 

 

About ten minutes away is Rectory Road Play Area.

 

 

 

 

The 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.  

 

 

The Paths Along Section 4

The paths along Section 4 are said to have hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

 

 

 

We found the paths to be generally flat but uneven in places.  

 

 

 

 

They can also be very, very muddy.

 

 

 

 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 4 route description for full details. 

 

 

 

Would We Go Back?

Almost the entire section of the path runs along the A331 and it is very noisy.

 

 

 

There are some parts of the walk where you walk directly beside the dual carriageway.

Whilst we will not be going back to this section on a walk, it is a largely traffic free cycle route that we do use.

 

 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

 

 

 

 

Downstream – Section 5: Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

 

 

Nearest Town: North Camp, Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG 
Nearest Postcode for Coleford Bridge/Rectory Road: GU14 7HX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Doable with buggies but be prepared for some narrow paths. 

Parking: To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG). To park near Coleford Bridge is harder but we were able to park at Rectory Road Play Area (GU14 7HX) and walk to the Blackwater Valley Path. 
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

 

The 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.

 

 

 

 

The 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. 

 

 

 

 

The 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.  

 

 

The 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

 

Four and Five Leaf Clovers

Most clovers have three leaves

 

 

 

 

 

but some have four leaves

 

 

 

 

 

and others have five leaves!  

These special clovers are hard to find. I’ve read that the odds of spotting a four leaf clover are 1 in 10,000 and a five leaf clover are 1 in 100,000.

 

 

When I was little, I read that finding a four leaf clover is lucky and finding a five leaf clover is even luckier so you should only ever give a five leaf clover to someone you love very much.  

 

 

 

 

Where to Look for Clovers

To give yourself the best chance of finding one and surprising your special someone, have a look amongst the clovers that line the Blackwater Valley Path from Ivy Road Recreation Ground

 

 

to just before the main road crossing in Aldershot.

Here there are enormous clovers so extra leaves are easier to spot. 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 2: Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Section 2 is 2.25 miles long. It starts at Pea Bridge in Badshot Lea and follows the river

 

 

 

 

past the well-equipped Aldershot Park and Play area

 

 

 

 

and along to a main road.

 

 

 

 

This is a fast road so be careful when you cross.  

 

 

 

 

Beyond this road, the path hugs the river again

 

 

 

 

and is lined with vegetation and giant clovers.  

 

 

 

 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is to your left on the other side of the river

 

 

 

 

and is accessed by a small bridge.

 

 

 

 

Shawfields is at the same point on the path but to your right.  

 

 

 

 

To find the pond at Rowan Field,

 

 

 

 

you need to go diagonally across Shawfields (follow the noise of the dual carriageway!) and go up and over the A331. 

 

 

 

 

The River Blackwater

Along Section 2 of the path, the River Blackwater grows wider and deeper and you start to see ducks, Canada geese and other water birds.

 

 

 

There are stretches where you can access the river, for example at Aldershot Park 

 

 

 

but for much of Section 2 the river is hard to reach, either because the banks are steep 

 

 

 

or it is guarded by towering plants.

 

 

 

 

 

The 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.  

 

 

The Paths Along Section 2

The path along Section 2 is easy to use and flat.  

There are patches that can be overgrown and where you have to go through stinging nettles and brambles. 

 

 

It has hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

I found using a scooter harder as the surface is too uneven in places for little wheels. 

 

 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 2 route description for full details. 

 

 

 

 

Would We Go Back?

We often cycle along this stretch of the River Blackwater, starting at Aldershot Park and Play Area and cycling to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and then on to Rowan Field and Shawfield Recreation Ground. 

 

 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

 

 

 

 

Downstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

 

 

Nearest Town: Badshot Lea, Aldershot and Ash
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).
Nearest Postcode for Ivy Road: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down. 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.
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

 

The 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.  

 

 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 1: Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge 

Section 1 starts at Rowhill Nature Reserve car park

 

 

 

 

and leads you past the boggy source of the Blackwater,

 

 

 

 

where it then follows the infant river.

 

 

 

 

 

The path leads onto the streets

 

 

 

 

 

and footpaths of Badshot Lea

 

 

 

 

 

and Aldershot.

 

 

 

 

 

Section 1 ends at Pea Bridge, where section 2 begins.

 

 

 

 

 

Rowhill Nature Reserve

Rowhill Nature Reserve is a captivating nature reserve of ancient woodland with stumps to balance on,

 

 

 

 

trees to climb, hills to explore, bridges to build and places to paddle. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Source of the Blackwater

The source of the Blackwater River is a bog marked by an information board.  

 

 

 

 

There isn’t much to see but the bog trickles into a stream that flows into Stickleback Pond. 

 

 

 

 

The River Blackwater

The River Blackwater is a small stream along section 1 

 

 

 

 

that has little waterfalls and spots to splash in.

 

 

 

 

Once you leave the reserve, the river becomes a little wider and deeper and there is no access. 

 

 

 

 

The Paths Along Section 1

I found the paths within Rowhill Nature Reserve easy to use and push an all terrain buggy along.

 

 

 

 

The paths through Aldershot from pavements to footpaths.

 

 

 

 

Some of the footpaths were narrow but they were all flat and easy to use.

 

 

 

 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 1 route description for full details. 

 

 

 

Would We Go Back?

We really enjoy Rowhill Nature Reserve and visit regularly but for me, the walk beyond the reserve does not add much as you do not really see the river.  I don’t expect to visit this part of section 1 again. 

 

 

Where to Next?

Downstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

 

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Rowhill Nature Reserve: GU11 3BD
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a small car park on Cranmore Lane (GU11 3BD), which can be busy. To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

 

The 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.  

 

 

The Twelve Sections

Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

 

 

 

 

Section 3:  Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

 

 

 

 

Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 5:  Coleford Bridge to the M3 Bridge

 

 

 

 

Section 6:  M3 Bridge to Blackwater Park

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7:  Blackwater Park to Sandhurst Station

Section 8:  Sandhurst Station to Grove Lake

Section 9:  Grove Lake to Longwater Road

Section 10:  Longwater Road to Eversley Bridge

Section 11:  Eversley Bridge to Jouldings Lane

Section 12:  Jouldings Lane to Swallowfield

 

The Paths

Most of the paths are flat and easy to walk along.

 

 

 

 

Some stretches can be muddy after wet weather. 

 

 

 

 

Other areas can be narrow

 

 

 

 

or lined with stinging nettles.  

 

 

 

 

Some run next to the A331 dual carriageway.

 

 

 

 

Others involve crossing roads.  Please do this with care. 

 

 

 

 

Multi-User Surfaces

Sections 2 to 5 have a hardened surface suitable for multi-users, including wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs. 

 

 

 

 

Cycling

Cycling is permitted between Sections 2 and Blackwater Park, which is about halfway along Section 6.  

 

 

 

 

Scooters

I have scooted from Section 2 to the start of Section 6 but would not do it again as the surfaces can be too uneven for little wheels. 

 

 

 

 

The A331 Blackwater Valley Relief Road

The A331 was built along the River Blackwater and Sections 2 to 5 of the path run alongside this dual carriageway.  

 

 

 

These stretches can be very noisy and have an industrial feel.

 

 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust look after and protect the natural environment of the Blackwater Valley.  

 

 

 

Their website has useful information and also full details of the Black Water Valley Path.

 

Nearest Town: Various depending on which section you visit. Please see the individual sections for full details.  
County: Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: Varies depending on which section you visit.  Please see the individual sections for full details. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or stop along the way.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There:  Usually a couple of hours on one section. 
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Various depending on which section you visit. Please see the individual sections for full details.  
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, Canada geese, swans, coots, moorhens, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

 

Rowhill Nature Reserve

There are stumps to balance on, trees to climb, hills to explore, bridges to build and places to paddle. 

 

 

 

 

The Source of the Blackwater

The River Blackwater is stream-sized

 

 

 

 

but has little waterfalls and spots to paddle in.

 

 

 

 

The source of the Blackwater River is an area of bog. It is next to the pond and marked with an information board.  

There isn’t much to see but the bog trickles into a stream that flows into… 

 

 

Stickleback Pond

…Stickleback Pond, which has a small dam and waterfall. 

 

 

 

 

The River Blackwater

The River Blackwater quickly becomes stream-sized

 

 

 

 

and has little waterfalls and spots to paddle in.

 

 

 

 

Den Building

The paths wind through deciduous woodland with a spot for den building…

 

 

 

 

 

Rhododendron Avenue

…and along Rhododendron Avenue before coming to a tranquil meadow and field surrounded by trees.

 

 

 

 

The Paths 

I found the paths easy to use and push an all terrain buggy along. There are paths that are narrow in places but they were all just ok for my narrow double buggy.

 

 

 

There are two paths from the car park on Cranmore Lane:

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path starts at the end of the car park near the white house and meanders through the reserve staying close to the River Blackwater.

 

 

 

This is Section 1 of the Blackwater Valley Path and is not a circular path and follows the river out of the reserve at Parkland Grove.

 

 

 

 

2. The Nature Trail

This is about 1.5 miles long and is marked by a series of posts, starting at the field centre (the wooden building next to the car park).

This is a circular path and begins and ends at the car park on Cranmore Lane.

 

 

This trail leads up over steps and a steep hill but these can be avoided if you follow the Blackwater Valley Path to the source of the River Blackwater, where the two paths meet up.

 

 

 

A copy of the nature trail can be found on the Rowhill Nature Reserve website, which marks the steps and an easy access, special needs path that can be accessed from Parkland Grove (GU9 9HA).

 

 

 

50 Things to Do

You could also tackle the 50 Things to Do at Rowhill Copse sheet the reserve have put together.  

How many can you complete?

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU11 3BD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a small car park on Cranmore Lane (GU11 3BD). This can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

 

Warning: Steep and Uneven Paths!

…but it is not an easy walk and involves steep hills, so this walk isn’t for everyone and should not be chosen without careful thought.

 

 

 

 

The Walk to Combe Bottom 

Trying to locate the quarry myself was the really exciting part, and actually took me two visits.

But for anyone without the luxury of time, here are the directions. 

 

 

From West Hanger Car Park there are two ways to walk down the hill to Combe Bottom but be warned, the hill is very steep – it’s not called West Hanger for nothing…

 

 

 

 

Route 1:  Along the Road

Walk out of the car park to the road. Turn right onto Staple Lane and then right again onto Combe Lane.

Follow Combe Lane down the hill, around a sharp bend to the right and you will come to this sign on the left.

 

 

Please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too. 

 

 

 

 

 

Route 2:  Straight Down West Hanger

Leave the car park by the path on the left and walk into the woods. 

 

 

 

 

After a short walk through the woods, you meet a trail running to your right.

 

 

 

 

Be careful – the trail is very steep and uneven

 

 

 

 

and the path may be used by mountain bikers.

 

 

 

 

Near the bottom of the hill you will see the road. 

 

 

 

 

This is Combe Lane and it runs along the bottom of the hill. 

 

 

 

 

Cross the road and walk a short way to the left, until you see the Combe Bottom sign on your right. 

Again, please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too. 

 

 

 

Finding the Holloway

From the Combe Bottom sign, follow the wild path for five to ten minutes, under trees,

 

 

 

 

through brambles patches

 

 

 

 

 

and into a holloway.

 

 

 

 

 

If it isn’t too overgrown, you might be able to spot the pillbox on your right. 

 

 

 

 

The route to the quarry is near the end of the holloway, up the steep bank on your left. 

 

 

 

 

If you reach this sign and the end of the holloway, you have gone too far.

 

 

 

 

 

To the Quarry!

You should now be standing on top of the steep bank with the holloway behind you.

You will notice a second holloway in front of you, which seems to run parallel to the first.

Believe it or not, this is the path to the quarry!

 

Follow this to the left until you come to a fallen tree blocking the way.

This is the entrance to the lowest part of the quarry. 

 

 

 

A Neolithic Quarry

The only information I can find about this quarry is that it dates back to the Stone Age, or Neolithic period, and was used to quarry flint. 

 

 

 

Today it is a huge, bowl-shaped hole in the hillside with steep sides.

 

 

 

 

 

Flint Tools

As you walk back up to West Hanger car park, and pause for the odd rest or two, keep an eye out for flints lying around or amongst the roots of trees.

You may spot a flint tool!

Have a look at the Wessex Archaeology website for details of the types of flint to look out for. 

 

Combe Bottom

Combe Bottom is part of the enchanting Shere Woodlands and sits at the bottom of West Hanger hill.

 

 

 

There is not much to see unless you would like to find the quarry. 

 

 

Nearest Town: Shere, near Guildford, Surrey Hills
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU5 9TE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or use one of the picnic tables. There is also a mobile cafe that visits (please see their website for details). 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Definitely not! 

Parking: West Hanger Car Park.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: 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