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

 

Lepe Country Park

If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling, sand castles and fossil finding before the tide comes in and then fairy door hunts, adventure play and a nature walk.

 

 

 

Or if you just want somewhere to relax, just sit back and enjoy the view.

Have a look at the Lepe Country Park website’s map for an overview of the activities on offer.

 

 

 

The Meadows

Alternatively, walk towards the east end of the beach past wild flower meadows on one side and the sea on the other.

 

 

 

This is a buggy friendly route that leads you to the beach, Lepe Point and Stansore Point, where the path becomes much sandier.

 

 

 

 

Lepe Point Nature Reserve

Lepe Point Nature Reserve, is a protected area of woodland and meadows with a boardwalk, pond and bird hide.

 

 

 

 

Stansore Point

Stansore Point is a good place to sit and enjoy the view, whether you want to watch huge ships cruise The Solent or gaze across at the Isle of Wight.

 

 

 

 

The D-Day Remnants

There are D-Day remnants near Stansore Point, including pier heads, construction platforms and slip ways.

 

 

 

You can see pictures and find further details on the New Forest Remembers website.

 

 

 

 

Fossil Finding

At Stansore Point it is also possible to find fossils of shells, plants and mammal bones, including mammoth bones. I understand it is best to look when the tide is out and to bring wellies in case the clay is exposed. Have a look at the UK Fossil Collecting website for full details.

You can also have a look at the western end of the beach where you can find fossil shells and corals. 

 

 

The Dinosaur Footprint

Inside the Visitor Centre is a dinosaur footprint, which was found at Lepe. It is on the floor on the right of the desk by the window.

Please see the Family Fun section of the Lepe website for further details as well as printable activities you can take with you or try at home!

 

 

The Fairy Door Trails

There are two trails to choose from – one through the Sensory Garden and another across the wild flower meadows and cliffs.

The doors are marked on a map and are each in a different type of tree with a little explanation about the kind of fairy living inside. 

 

 

The Beach

There is a family beach area, which is a very short walk from the car park. 

 

 

 

 

Further down the beach, low tide reveals a spit of land where we found crabs amongst the rocks, dug holes to catch the sea, built up huge sand castles and found interesting stones, including one of the bone shaped ‘fossils’ mentioned above.

 

The Play Area

The Lepe Country Park Play Area is a wooden adventure play area with equipment that includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• insect shaped springers
• a seesaw
• play houses
• a double slide with easy to climb stairs
• an obstacle course with logs, stumps, ropes and nets
• a wooden climbing frame
• a snake balance trail
• picnic tables
• seats.

Nearest Town: Exbury, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO45 1AD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: There are some pathways that are buggy friendly along the seafront.  The beach itself can be hard to push a buggy along because it is divided by wooden posts, many of which have rotted to near sand level and are splintered in places.

Parking: There are two pay and display car parks – one next to the play area and fairy trails and another next to the beach, Visitor Centre and cafe. These are connected by stairs that lead down to the beach but we drove between the two because we were using a buggy. We parked easily in both but it must be very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: For April to September start at £2.50 for one hour and an all day ticket costs £9.50.

Wildlife You Might See: Seaside wildlife, seabirds and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

 

The wooden play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• insect shaped springers
• a seesaw
• play houses
• a double slide with easy to climb stairs
• an obstacle course with logs, stumps, ropes and nets
• a wooden climbing frame
• a snake balance trail
• picnic tables
• seats.

 

Lepe Country Park

Lepe Country Park has a huge range of activities on offer.

If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling, sand castles and fossil finding before the tide comes in and then fairy door hunts, adventure play and a nature walk.

 

 

Or if you just want somewhere to relax, just sit back and enjoy the view.

Have a look at the Lepe Country Park website’s map for an overview of the activities on offer.

Nearest Town: Exbury, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO45 1AD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: There are some pathways that are buggy friendly along the seafront.  The beach itself can be hard to push a buggy along because it is divided by wooden posts, many of which have rotted to near sand level and are splintered in places.

Parking: There are two pay and display car parks – one next to the play area and another next to the beach, Visitor Centre and cafe. These are connected by stairs that lead down to the beach but we drove between the two because we were using a buggy. We parked easily in both but it must be very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: For April to September start at £2.50 for one hour and an all day ticket costs £9.50.

Wildlife You Might See: Seaside wildlife, seabirds and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

 

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

 

100 Aker Wood

Walking through 100 Aker Wood was magical, like walking through scenes from the Winnie-the-Pooh books and cartoons. 

 

 

 

 

We found Winnie the Pooh’s house

 

 

 

 

 

Eeyore’s Gloomy Place

 

 

 

 

 

a bridge to play Poohsticks

 

 

 

 

 

Wol’s tree

 

 

 

 

 

Roo’s Sandy Pit 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit’s house

 

 

 

 

 

a heffalump trap

 

 

 

 

 

and a bee tree.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a map of 100 Aker Wood that shows the places you can find on the Aldenham Country Park website.  

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park

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

 

 

 

 

mini golf and trampolines

 

 

 

 

 

a lake and nature trails. 

 

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park Farm

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

 

 

 

 

goats, donkeys and ducks.  

 

 

 

 

 

It also has various tractors to ride

 

 

 

 

and an area where you can pay a little extra and meet some smaller animals, like rabbits, guinea pigs and giant snails.  

 

 

 

We even spotted Winnie the Pooh!

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

This fabulous Aldenham Country Park Adventure Play Area has wooden play equipment, including a zip wire, sand play areas

 

 

 

and a water play area complete with a water pump.

 

 

 

 

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

Some sessions are exclusively for children with special needs. 

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: 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

 

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On the farm, a route leads you past the farm animals, including cows and pigs

 

 

 

 

goats and donkeys

 

 

 

 

 

ducks and peacocks.  

 

 

 

 

 

It also has tractor rides

 

 

 

 

 

and an area where you can pay a little extra and meet some smaller animals, like rabbits, guinea pigs and giant snails. 

 

 

 

 

Winnie the Pooh

When we visited, Winnie the Pooh was there to meet, cuddle and wave at the guests.

 

 

 

 

100 Aker Wood

After our visit to the farm, we walked through the Country Park to 100 Aker Wood and explored the magical places where Winnie the Pooh and his friends have their adventures.  

 

 

 

We discovered places like Winnie the Pooh’s house

 

 

 

 

 

Wol’s tree

 

 

 

 

 

and the bees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park itself has an orienteering course and cycle trails 

 

 

 

 

mini golf and trampolines

 

 

 

 

 

a lake and nature trails. 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

This exciting Aldenham Country Park Adventure Play Area has wooden play equipment, including a zip wire, sand play areas

 

 

 

a water play area complete with a water pump

 

 

 

 

and accessible equipment.

 

 

 

 

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

There are sessions exclusively for children with special needs. 

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

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Various starting at £4.50. Please see their website for details. 
Child Cost Range: Various starting at £4.50. Please see their website for details. 
Free If: You are only visiting the Country Park (and not the farm or play area).

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

Information Written: July 2022

 

River Hamble Country Park

There are three main areas to the country park – Topfield, Manor Farm and Barnfield.

 

Topfield

Topfield has a dog walking field and barbecues for hire but we spent most of our time at Barnfield and Manor Farm.

 

 

 

 

Manor Farm

Within the country park is Manor Farm, a Victorian farm with costumed farm workers, historic farm buildings, free-ranging animals and antiquated tractors.

 

 

 

It has plenty of farm animals, including cows and calves, pigs and piglets and hens and chicks.

 

 

 

 

There are also two play areas on the farm with climb-on tractors, drivable mini-tractors, sand play tables and balance courses as well as a cafe.

 

 

 

 

Barnfield

 

The Barn

Next to the car park is The Barn, a visitor centre and a cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

Also next to the car park is a wooden adventure play area inspired by the Grace Dieu (see below).

 

 

 

 

It has a ship theme and equipment that includes two ships to play on with slides, climbing walls, nets, bridges and ropes.

 

 

 

There is also a crow’s nest, a large rope swing and musical instruments.

When we visited it looked like they were putting in more play equipment too. 

 

 

 

The Grace Dieu

The stretch of the River Hamble at Barnfield is the site of the Grace Dieu ship wreck. The Grace Dieu was finished in 1418 and became Henry V’s enormous flagship.

 

 

 

Sadly, she never sailed beyond the Isle of Wight as the crew mutinied. Instead, she was brought to the River Hamble.

In 1439 she was struck by lightning, caught fire and burned to the water level.

 

 

The size of the Grace Dieu is marked out next to the adventure play area. The mast of the ship would have been the same length!

 

 

 

 

The Trails

Waymarked trails criss-cross the country park, passing through woods, along the River Hamble and to a pontoon.

 

 

 

The path from the adventure play area leads you into the woods and along the River Hamble. 

 

 

 

 

The River Hamble

There are a couple of places along the path to the pontoon where you can access the river.

 

 

 

 

People paddle, swim, kayak and paddle board but there are two things to note:

• the currents can be strong and
• when the tide is out it can be very muddy. 

 

 

Please be sure to make all the necessary checks before you go. 

 

 

 

 

 

Crabbing on the Pontoon

From this pontoon you can fish for crabs with a line.

The Barn sells the equipment you need but you have to bring your own bait. Their website has further details and some crabbing guidelines.

 

 

HMS Cricket

The country park was home to HMS Cricket, a camp built during World War 2 to house and train the assault craft crews that took part in the D-day landings of 1944.

The remains of the buildings can still be seen around the park and there is also a memorial at Barnfield.

 

 

The Manor Farm Fairy Folk Story Trail

Alternatively, try the Hampshire County Council Story Trail* called Manor Farm Fairy Folk.

 

 

 

 

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are 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 story 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: Bursledon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 1BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free but there is an entry fee for Manor Farm.

Where to Eat: At one of the cafes, rent a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, cafe, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Several car parks. The ticket machines take cash but you can buy a car park ticket with a card at the Manor Farm Visitor Centre.
Cost of Parking: From £2.50 for the first hour but capped at £7.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, birds, deer and maybe the odd fairy or two if you follow the story trail!

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

 

The River Hamble Adventure Play Area

Barnfield has a wooden play area with a nautical theme and two ships to sail, capture, climb the rigging and walk the plank.

 

 

 

It has play equipment including:

• a long rope swing
• a musical wall
• a larger ship with a wobbly bridge, nets, ladders and a chutes and pulleys system, 
• a smaller ship with a slide and a climbing wall
• a crow’s nest with a ladder.

 

It looks like they are putting in more equipment too.  

 

 

River Hamble Country Park

River Hamble Country Park has trails, a story trail, Manor Farm, access to the River Hamble and a pontoon you can go crabbing from. 

 

 

 

You might also be able to spot the remains of Henry V’s flag ship, the Grace Dieu.

In 1439 she was struck by lightning, caught fire and burned to the water level.

 

 

The ship’s size is marked out next to the adventure play area. The mast of the ship would have been the same length!

 

 

 

 

The Trails

Waymarked trails criss-cross the country park, passing through woods, along the River Hamble and to a pontoon.

 

 

 

The path from the adventure play area leads you into the woods and along the River Hamble. 

 

 

 

 

The River Hamble

There are a couple of places along the path to the pontoon where you can access the river.

 

 

 

 

You can also go crabbing.

 

 

Nearest Town: Bursledon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 1BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free but there is an entry fee for Manor Farm.

Where to Eat: At one of the cafes, rent a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, cafe, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Several car parks. The ticket machines take cash but you can buy a car park ticket with a card at the Manor Farm Visitor Centre.
Cost of Parking: From £2.50 for the first hour but capped at £7.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, birds, deer and maybe the odd fairy or two if you follow the story trail!

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

 

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