Wellesley Woodlands

Wellesley Woodlands is a network of woodland

 

 

 

 

and pathways in and around Aldershot

 

 

 

 

 

and along the beautiful Basingstoke Canal.  

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Trails

There are lots of activity trails to try in the What To Do section of their website,

 

 

 

 

including brass rubbing, orienteering and Go Wild challenges.  

 

 

 

 

 

The Brass Rubbing Trail

This took us about an hour to walk around. It was an easy walk on mostly flat paths. 

 

 

 

 

The brass rubbing trail map is available on the Wellesley Woodlands website and has spaces for each of the brass rubbing posts. 

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU11 1QA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There are several car parks you can try. The one at the start of the brass rubbing trail is next to Wellington’s statue (GU11 1QA).
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: August 2022

 

Rushmere Country Park

Rushmere CP is somewhere to head out into nature and explore.  

 

 

 

 

It is covered with sculptures, play spaces

 

 

 

 

trees and dens

 

 

 

 

 

and is criss-crossed with footpaths,

 

 

 

 

 

cycle routes and bridleways.

 

 

 

 

 

The Fairy Trail

The fairies hide along the short Access for all footpath, which has smooth, easy to walk along paths.

 

 

 

 

We spotted a fairy dinner party

 

 

 

 

 

fairy doors

 

 

 

 

 

sculptures

 

 

 

 

 

and a reading chair for a giant.

 

 

 

 

 

Woodpecker Trail

Following the longer Woodpecker Trail (which is bumpier with a steep hill you go up and down) leads you deeper into the park,

 

 

 

down a hill

 

 

 

 

 

past Stockgrove Lake

 

 

 

 

 

and several play spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

The Play Areas

There are seven play spaces scattered across the park.

This includes a play area for younger children (those under the age of 6) and has equipment that includes a playhouse, roundabout, giant snails and a sand pit with a static digger machine.

 

Also scattered along the trails are other pieces if play equipment, like a wobbly bridge and balancing stumps. 

 

 

 

 

Treetops Cafe

Treetops Cafe perches high on the hillside with beautiful views over a lake where herons breed.

 

 

 

 

Along the viewing balcony are tables and also binoculars you can use to look at the herons and their nests. 

 

 

 

 

The Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail

We visited Rushmere Country Park after trying the Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail.

 

Nearest Town: Heath and Reach, near Leighton-Linslade
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 0EB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, ice cream, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic area.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The Access for all path is buggy friendly. The paths along the other trails vary, although I did see people with buggies on each one. 

Parking: Large car parks.
Cost of Parking: Various – please check their website for details.

Wildlife You Might See: Adders, insects, common lizards, herons and other birds.

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

 

The Play Area

This has a mixture of natural play equipment and adventure play equipment that includes:

• a large tube slide with a covered rope bridge and long ladders that are broken into sections by wooden platforms
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• tree stump obstacle courses
• stones to climb on
• a sandy area with sand play equipment
• a wide slide with a ladder
• a spinning disc
• spinning cups
• three tyre swings 
• a small castle tower with a ladder 
• a swinging basket
• swings
• a zip wire.

 

We could not find any toddler swings.

 

In the play area there is also a little pond that children paddle in.

 

 

 

The Cafe

Cafe Hogmoor is next to the play area and the car park and sells snacks and refreshments. 

 

 

 

 

The Bee Hive

Between the Hogmoor Cafe and the car park is a little building called the Bee Hive. Next to it are:

• musical instruments
• a scavenger hunt
• a brass rubbing area. 

 

 

The Trails

There are a few marked trails to try that lead you past different features, including gates, activity boards and the Sentinels.

 

Nearest Town: Bordon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 9HN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Cafe Hogmoor. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 9HN). It can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: October 2021
Information Checked: April 2023

 

The Sentinels

The Sentinels are wooden sculptures and there are a few along each of the marked trails.

Their locations are shown on the maps by the car park, which you can photo before you set off.

 

 

The Trails

There are a few marked trails to try that lead you past different features, including gates, activity boards and the Sentinels.

 

 

 

The paths are sandy and lower than the surrounding trees.

There are lots of little hills for you to run up and explore in parallel to the paths. 

 

 

 

The Cafe

Cafe Hogmoor is next to the play area and the car park and sells snacks and refreshments. 

 

 

 

 

The Bee Hive

Between the Hogmoor Cafe and the car park is a little building called the Bee Hive. Next to it are:

• musical instruments
• a scavenger hunt
• a brass rubbing area. 

 

The Play Area

The Hogmoor Inclosure Natural Play Area has a mixture of natural play equipment and adventure play equipment that includes:

• a large tube slide with a covered rope bridge and long ladders that are broken into sections by wooden platforms
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• tree stump obstacle courses
• stones to climb on
• a sandy area with sand play equipment
• a wide slide with a ladder
• a spinning disc
• spinning cups
• three tyre swings 
• a small castle tower with a ladder 
• a swinging basket
• swings
• a zip wire.

 

We could not find any toddler swings.

 

In the play area there is also a little pond that children paddle in.

 

Nearest Town: Bordon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 9HN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Cafe Hogmoor. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 9HN). It can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: October 2021
Information Checked: April 2023

 

The Paths

Most of the paths through the nature reserve are buggy friendly and easy to walk on.

There are a few paths that are wilder too, like this path through the meadow.

 

 

Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area

Next to the lake and the car park is the Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area.

 

The play equipment includes:

• basket swing
• a climbing wall
• rocks to climb on
• a zip wire
• a spinning seesaw
• a large spinning seesaw (which was fenced off)
• a spinning disc
• picnic tables.

 

Nearest Town: Ash Vale
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a good-sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds and insects.

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2022

 

The play equipment includes:

• basket swing
• a climbing wall
• rocks to climb on
• a zip wire
• a spinning seesaw
• a large spinning seesaw (which was fenced off)
• a spinning disc
• picnic tables.

 

Nearest Town: Ash Vale
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds and insects.

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2022

 

The Park 

Lily Hill Park has lots of different areas, including an Edwardian water garden

 

 

 

 

a traditional orchard

 

 

 

 

woodland

 

 

 

 

and meadows.

 

 

 

 

 

For full details please see Bracknell Forest Council’s Lily Hill Park leaflet. 

 

 

 

 

Wooden Sculptures 

There are a few wooden structures and sculptures to find too:

Father Oak

 

 

 

 

the Storytelling Throne

 

 

 

 

the amphitheatre 

 

 

 

 

the giant picnic bench. 

 

 

 

 

 

Orienteering 

There is a permanent orienteering course of 20 points to find scattered around the park.

You can download a copy of the orienteering map from the Bracknell Forest Council website. 

 

 

Mystery Brass Rubbing Trail 

There are 23 brass rubbing posts to find around the park, so grab some crayons and a copy of the brass rubbing trail and see how many you can find!

You can download a copy of the brass rubbing trail from the Bracknell Forest Council website. 

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2RX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly but some of the paths have stairs.

Parking: There are two car parks – one at RG12 2RX and the other is at RG12 2UJ (next to the Running Horse pub). 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, butterflies, squirrels and birds.

Information Written: June 2022

 

Play Trail

This adventure play trail has wooden equipment scattered along a woodland walk, including:

• a musical tiger
• animals to climb on
• a snail slide
• a tractor and
• wooden climbing frames with bridges, ropes and climbing walls.

 

 

High Wood Barn Play Area

Next to the cafe is a play area for children up to 8 years. It has equipment that includes:

• a wide slide on a hill
• a tunnel
• a wooden climbing frame
• a wooden pirate ship
• a log balance course
• a jeep springer
• animal springers
• an obstacle course
• puzzle boards and
• seats to sit on.

 

Little Monkeys Play Area

About a five minute walk from the cafe is a second play area for children to the age of 14 years. The equipment includes:

• a slide on a hill with tunnels
• a climbing frame of suspended baskets
• swings
• toddler swings
• a wooden climbing frame
• climbing rocks
• a seesaw
• an obstacle course with wobbly logs, bridges, and rope swings (this is hidden in the woods next to the play area!)
• a spinning hoop
• a basket swing
• a rope climbing frame
• a zip wire and
• seats to sit on.

 

 

Other Activities

As well as playing, there are other things to try, including:

• the Nature Detectives walk, which is a nature trail with information boards and brass rubbing spots. 

 

• a cafe that sells food and drinks and has an indoor play area with educational activities.  

 

• orienteering courses. Maps can be picked up from the Woodland Cafe or from the British Orienteering website.

 

• lots of trails. Have a look at the Itchen Valley Country Park Trail Guide for further details.

 

 

River Itchen

The strange thing about River Itchen Country Park is that you can’t actually get down to the river. 

You can stand on a bridge over the river though. To find it, leave the Woodlands Cafe with the play area on your left and follow the path.  

 

 

Itchen Valley Nature Reserve

If you cross this bridge you can walk through water meadows during the summer and early autumn (it is flooded at other times).

There are water voles, otters and lots of insects living here. 

 

Nearest Town: Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO30 3HQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, 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 £1.50 per hour.

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

Information Written: July 2020

 

Brass Rubbing

The brass plaques are mounted into a wooden stand that is just the right size for a piece of A4 paper. 

The height of the stands was suitable for my 3 year old but my 1 year old needed a little lift.

 

 

 

 

It’s easy for children to take a brass rubbing. Just bring some crayons and some paper (ideally A4 but A3 would cover the plaque too).

Put the paper over the brass plaque and then rub it with the crayon. 

 

 

 

 

Wherever Can They All Be?

The brass plaques are hidden all around the reserve. There is no map so finding them all is half the fun.

The reserve has a variety of habitats so be sure to look everywhere!

 

 

 

The Pond

At the centre is a pretty pond surrounded by a copse of trees.

 

 

 

 

The Meadows

There are also two wildflower meadows.

 

 

 

 

One has wooden sculptures, including a totem pole decorated with wildlife – an owl, beetles, leaves, butterflies, a snake and a badger hiding in a hole at the bottom.

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Size for Little Legs

At only 7 acres, Snaky Lane is compact, which makes it the perfect place for a short nature walk with little ones.

 

 

 

The Wildlife

We have been a few times now and have spotted a family of ducks, dragonflies, a baby toad and lots of butterflies.

This autumn we spotted some beautiful fungus, including the classic red and white, fairy tale toadstool.

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Some paths are surfaced with stones and others are grassy. We used an all terrain buggy with no problems.

Parking: There is no car park but you can park on the road by the reserve.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, deer, ducks, insects and pond life.

Information Written: August 2017

 

The Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area’s equipment is aimed at children of over 8 years old and includes:

• a huge, wooden climbing frame with wobbly bridges, a tube slide and another slide
• balancing courses
• obstacles
• climbing bars
• a zip slide. 

 

The Second Play Area

The second play area’s animal-themed equipment is aimed at younger children and has:

• toddler swings
• a balance course
• frog and sheep springers
• a large wooden cat with a fireman’s pole nose
• another two slides – one shaped like a spider and the other like a frog.

 

The Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre is next to the play area and houses a cafe, a shop (where you can buy duck food) and a small, wildlife-inspired indoor play area with some unusual jigsaws, feelie box puzzles, brasses to rub and a fish tank.

 

 

This area was much quieter, probably because the weather outside was beautiful, and we spent an uninterrupted half hour playing.

The staff were lovely and when we ran out of paper for the brass rubbing they brought some more over without us needing to ask.

 

Thatcham Lake

The lakeside is often covered in wandering water birds. Ducks, moorhens, geese and swans were everywhere and seemed very used to visitors, some hardly moving when approached. 

 

 

The Walks

There are three walks signposted from the Visitor Centre that take 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

The paths are generally flat and firm with the occasional tree root.

Nearest Town: Thatcham
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG19 3FU

Opens: Daily during the summer but closed on Mondays during the winter.
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are a few car parks.
Cost of Parking: Free – donations are suggested but not required.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, waterbirds and insects.

Information Written: April 2017