Royal Victoria CP Story Trail

The story trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park” and is one of Hampshire CC’s Story Trails. The trail starts at the chapel,

goes along the seafront

and ends at the Royal Victoria Country Park Play Area.

Bring a Pen!

Along the route, you have to answer questions and enter numbers into Professor Nutrino’s Great Agent Device for Gaining Extraordinary Time (‘GADGET’) so be sure to bring a pen!

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The Royal Victoria Country Park Play Area is a well-equipped play area with a large wooden castle, slides and a jeep. 

Netley Hospital

Royal Victoria Country Park itself stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building.

All that remains today is the central chapel section. 

The Beach

The park overlooks Southampton Water and has a shingle beach.

We found lots of tiny shells and a some crabs. 

Other Things to Try

Royal Victoria Country Park has seafront walks as well as a permanent orienteering course, a miniature railway and a fairy garden. They also hold regular family events.

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

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: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are several good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park, including following the Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail, in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart

This story trail is a series of short stories. They aren’t connected to anything you could actually see at Hawley Meadows so they were less engaging than some of the other Hampshire CC story trails.

Hawley Meadows

Hawley Meadows is a beautiful spot, with open fields, the Blackwater River and wading grey herons. Unfortunately, it is bordered by the M3, the A331 and an industrial estate so it is not as tranquil as you might expect.

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.  

Section 6 of the Blackwater Valley Path runs through Hawley Meadows. It is a walking and also cycling trail but is not hard surfaced.

The Paths Around Hawley Meadows

The meadows were dry when we visited and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along, although I have read that this area can become very wet and muddy after rain. 

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: Camberley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU15 3YH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly but with some uneven paths.

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

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

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

Our visit to the Hawley Meadows Story Trail in Camberley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Lymington-Keyhaven Story Trail

The Story of Salterns, Sea Monsters and Saving the Day is a walk of just over a mile that guides you through the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve 

and a little of its history, whilst telling you a story of salt farmers, sailors, smugglers and a huge sea monster. 

Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve

The Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve is an expanse of coastal lagoons, mudflats and marshes and an important nesting site for birds.  

In the past it was used to farm salt. 

The Paths

The paths are flat and easy to walk along with a range of surfaces.

Finding the Reserve

To find the reserve, follow the post code to Maiden Lane, where you can park. Where Maiden Lan becomes Normandy Lane, you will see this side road. 

To start the Story Trail, follow the road past the sailing club and you will come to this gate, which is where the story trail begins.

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: Lymington, near Christchurch in the New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 8AF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: The paths are flat and easy to walk on.

Parking: You can park on Maiden Lane by the side of the road. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and seabirds.

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Local Nature Reserve and the Salterns Story Trail in Lymington, in the New Forest, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Waggoners Wells

On a walk around Waggoners Wells you will find three beautifully blue, man-made pools  

a waterfall 

slopes to clamber up and slide down

tangles of tree roots to explore 

and ducks, ducks, ducks!

You might also be lucky enough to spot some of the giant fish that live in the pools. 

The Wishing Well

The wishing well is at the lowest end of Waggoners Wells, a little beyond the last pool. A plaque on the wall commemorates the poem “Flower in a Crannied Wall” by Tennyson, which is believed to have been written here in 1863.

The wishing well is marked on the map board near the car park stairs. It is easy to find – follow the main path past the three pools and the wishing well is in the wall of the nearby house. It took us about ten minutes to walk there. 

The Paths

The paths are generally flat 

with some steps in places.  

Nearest Town: Headley Down, near Hindhead
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU26 6DT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours 
Buggies: The main paths are relatively flat and easy to walk on but there are steps in places. 

Parking: There is a car park, which you reach by driving through a ford!
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, fish and insects.

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Waggoners Wells in Headley Down is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Festival of Light

The Festival of light happens over the Christmas period and is one of our favourite festive adventures. 

You can either buy tickets for the whole park or just to see the lights. 

Every year the theme is different. 

The photos I have used are from the last five years, with themes like the many stories of Roald Dahl 

Grimms’ Fairy Tales 

monsters from the Greek myths

and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was the theme for Christmas 2023. 

Longleat

Longleat itself offers an action-packed day, during which you get up close to animals and safari by land and water.

Adventure Castle Play Area

There is also a huge Adventure Castle play area.

Nearest Town: Warminster
County: Wiltshire
Nearest Postcode: BA12 7NW

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 3

Opens: The Festival of Light happens during the Christmas period. Longleat itself is open daily during the summer but with seasonal closures.

Where to Eat: There are various cafes and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, cafes, picnic areas, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Zoo and safari park animals, including zebra, giraffes, camels, vultures, monkeys, an elephant, rhinos, deer, lions, tigers, cheetahs, wolves, insects and spiders, hippos, seals, gorillas, bats, anteaters, giant otters, meerkats and wallabies.

Information Written: January 2024

Our visit to Longleat and the Festival of Light, in Warminster, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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

Our visit to Rushmere Country Park in Leighton-Linslade is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Can You Help?

Luckily, you can help to track down each of these escapees. Pick up a trail map identifying where each is hidden and follow it until you see a blue footprint on the floor. Look around until you spot something out of the ordinary.

Look Everywhere

It could be anything…you never know what is just around the corner in this town – a magical shadow or hidden animal, secret writing or an overt phrase, a tiny mouse or a huge pencil, a high up cat or a low down rat!

The Challenge…and Reward

When you have found it, fill in the clue on the back of your map. Once the map challenges are complete (or not!), take your map to the White House on Hockliffe Street to pick up your reward. We were given a badge, bookmark and an art card.

Leighton-Linslade

We spent a magical morning following the trail past old buildings, up winding mews and along busy streets.

It leads you to parts of the town you would never have realised were there. 

The Play Area and Splash Pad

You arrive at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground towards the end of the trail. 

It is a park with a large playground, a superb splash pad with jets of water and a huge sand pit. We played for hours.

Which Story?

Essentially, this is an art work or sculpture trail with pieces inspired by books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter, The Borrowers, Alice in Wonderland and The Gruffalo.

Some of the art works are easy to connect to a particular character or story and others tie more generally into themes commonly found in children’s books – for example, doors to other worlds, making wishes and magical items.

Have a look at the Children’s Trail Reading List before going if you feel in need of inspiration.

Where to Start?

Maps and a pencil are available for free from Leighton Buzzard Library or The White House (on Hockliffe Street).

Alternatively, you can download a map from The Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail website.

If you’d like to see the Children’s Trail in action, check out the video that has been made to celebrate the 5th Birthday of the Childrens’ Trail.

There is One Teeny Tiny Street!

Access was easy but one of the streets the trail leads you down is called Peacock Mews. This is a charming, tiny street with a narrow alleyway. My double buggy managed to squeak through. 

If you do get stuck, you can go around onto Hockliffe Street and into Peacock Mews that way.

Magical Fun

We have visited the trail twice now. On both occasions we have had a fantastically magical day.

Everyone was so friendly – it is no exaggeration to say that in February we were invited to two events, given several hints, and were spoken to at least another 10 times.

Rushmere Country Park

If you would like to continue the story trail theme then head over to Rushmere Country Park for some fairy tale fun in the forest.

Nearest Town: Leighton-Linslade, near Luton
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 1RX (or LU7 1HJ for the nearest car park)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There are cafes along the trail and places to picnic towards the end.
Facilities: Cafes and shops.

How Long We Spent There: 3.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Hockliffe Street car park (LU7 1HJ), which is at the start and finish of the trail. It is a pay and display car park and was busy when we visited on a week day.
Cost of Parking: From £1 per hour

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to the Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail in Leighton-Linslade, near Luton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Preface: Story Trails

A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin discovered Ashdown Forest together. 

We decided to follow in their footsteps and create our own Winnie-the-Pooh story trail. 

We used a walking route we found online (full details below) and our copies of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner .

Introduction: “We’re All Going On An Expotition…”

Like Winnie-the-Pooh, we called our expedition an ‘Expotition’.

We chose three areas of Ashdown Forest to visit: 

• Pooh Corner, Hartfield village (to set the scene at the Poohseum and to pick up maps so my children could ‘plan’ the Expotition over lunch)
• Pooh Bridge car park (as the first chapter of Winnie-the-Pooh starts at Pooh’s house, which is next to Pooh Bridge)
• Gills Lap car park.

Chapter 1: Pooh Corner 

Our Expotition began with lunch at Pooh Corner, a tea room and museum dedicated to all things Winnie-the-Pooh, which helped to set the scene for our story trail. 

We also had a good look at the map in the front of the books, which you also can see here on the EH Shephard website.  

The Pooh Corner staff are lovely and happy to give advice on places to visit in Ashdown Forest with maps.

Chapter 2: Pooh Bridge 

Pooh’s House 

Winnie-the-Pooh’s tree stump house is very near to Pooh Bridge.  

To find it, walk to the bridge from Pooh Bridge car park, cross the river and Pooh’s house is a very short walk away on the left of the path.  

When you find it, don’t forget to knock and “Rnig Also” to see if anyone is home!

Pooh Bridge 

This picturesque spot is where Pooh invents the game of Poohsticks.  

The bridge jumps straight out of the pages of the books, having been rebuilt in 1979 to match Shepard’s illustrations. 

Piglet’s House

You can find Piglet’s tiny house in the woods to the left of the main path (when walking back to Pooh Bridge car park).

Owl’s House

Owl’s high up house is there for the finding too.

Chapter 3: Gills Lap 

Note: We followed the walking route linked to below but in reverse because I wanted our trail to end at the Enchanted Place, the location for the last line of the books.  

These places and the route are shown on the map linked to below. 

Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place (map marker 6)

We didn’t walk all the way to Eeyore’s Gloomy Place – it’s a long way and the name didn’t exactly sell it as a destination!  

Instead, we walked a little way past the stream and gazed across at the Gloomy Place before heading back to the stream and Quarry car park. 

The North Pole (map marker 5)

A little stream runs through this part of the forest and is believed to be the spot where Roo falls into a pool of water and Pooh finds the North Pole.   

Roo’s Sandy Pit (map marker next to the Quarry car park)

This former quarry is now overgrown and is where Pooh and his friends trick Kanga into leaving with Piglet instead of Roo.

The Milne and Shepard Memorial (map marker 3)

The memorial plaque commemorating A.A. Milne and E.H. Shephard has a stunning location

with places to sit and have a picnic or rest tired legs whilst marvelling at the view.

The Heffalump Trap (map marker top left)

If you are brave enough, you can build your own Heffalump trap in this Very Deep Pit dug by Piglet. 

But be careful, Christopher Robin spotted Heffalumps just lumping along in this part of the forest…

The Enchanted Place (map marker 2)

Our final stop, the Enchanted Place, is mentioned in the last line of The House at Pooh Corner, which makes me cry every time: 

“…in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”

Notes: Planning Your Expotition

Maps and Leaflets

The Pooh Corner staff give advice on which places to visit in Ashdown Forest and also have a little expotition map for children. 

I also printed this map and guide I found on another website called Pooh Walks from Gills Lap.

The Paths

The conditions along the paths varies – some parts are uneven and steep and others are flatter and easier.  

I have easily taken an all terrain buggy to Pooh Bridge from the Pooh Bridge car park but would opt for a sling when exploring the area around Gills Lap car park.

Nearest Town: Hartfield, Ashdown Forest, near East Grinstead
County: East Sussex
Nearest Postcode: TN7 4AE, TN7 4EX and TN7 4EN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

Where to Eat: Eat at Pooh Corner Tea Rooms or bring a picnic and eat in Ashdown Forest.
Facilities: None but there is a cafe offering snacks and ice cream at the Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX). 

How Long We Spent There: Full day
Buggies: You can take an all terrain buggy to Pooh Bridge.  The ground is uneven around Gills Lap. 

Parking: You can park at Pooh Corner (TN7 4AE), Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX) and Gills Lap car park (TN7 4EN). 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, deer, ponies, birds, butterflies, other insects, snakes and mammals.

Information Written: September 2022

Our visit to the many enchanted places of Ashdown Forest in Hartfield, near East Grinstead, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ashdown Forest

The atmospheric Ashdown Forest inspired A.A. Milne to write about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin and friends.

Pooh Bridge

No visit to Ashdown Forest is complete without a visit to picture perfect Pooh Bridge, where Pooh invented the game of Poohsticks. 

Be sure to pick up some Poohsticks on your walk to the bridge – they can be hard to find, probably because they are all in the stream! 

The Walk

We walk to the bridge from Pooh Bridge car park, which has a little cafe. 

The paths are generally flat and buggy friendly, with a gentle hill leading away from the car park. 

The Houses

Following the path to Pooh Bridge leads you past a little balancing course and down a hill.  

If you leave the path and head into the woods on the right you can find Eeyore’s gloomy house

Piglet’s tiny house

and Owl’s high up house. 

The Bridge

The bridge jumps straight out of the pages of Milne’s stories, having been rebuilt in 1979 to match Shepard’s illustrations. 

Pooh’s House 

Winnie-the-Pooh’s house is in a tree stump very near to Pooh Bridge.  

To find it, walk to the bridge from Pooh Bridge car park, cross the stream and walk a little way up the lane.  

When you get there, don’t forget to knock and “Rnig Also” to see if anyone is home!

Other Story Locations

Ashdown Forest is home to other locations from the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, including Roo’s Sandy Pit, the Enchanted Place, Eeyore’s Gloomy Place and the Heffalump Trap.  

It also has a memorial plaque to A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard.

For full details, please see my post about how to create your own Winnie-the-pooh Expotition. 

Pooh Corner Tea Rooms and Pooh’seum

A short drive away from Pooh Bridge is the village of Hartfield and Pooh Corner, a tea room and museum dedicated to all things Winnie-the-Pooh. 

The Pooh Corner staff are lovely and happy to give advice on places to visit in Ashdown Forest with maps.

Nearest Town: Hartfield, Ashdown Forest, near East Grinsted
County: East Sussex
Nearest Postcode: TN7 4EX 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

Where to Eat: Eat at Pooh Corner Tea Rooms or bring a picnic and eat in Ashdown Forest.
Facilities: None but there is a cafe offering snacks and ice cream at the Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX). 

How Long We Spent There: Full day
Buggies: You can take an all terrain buggy to Pooh Bridge.  The ground is uneven around Gills Lap. 

Parking: You can park at Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX). 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, deer, ponies, birds, butterflies, other insects, snakes and mammals.

Information Written: September 2022

Our visit to Pooh Bridge and the other enchanted places in Ashdown Forest, near East Grinsted, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Lepe 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.

Lepe Country Park Adventure 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

Our visit to Lepe Country Park in Exbury in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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.  

At the entrance there is a map of 100 Aker Wood that shows the places you can find along your walk.  

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

Our visit to 100 Aker Wood and Aldenham Country Park in Elstree, near Watford, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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 the River Hamble Country Park Adventure Play Area, which is 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. 

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. 

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, near Southampton
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

Our visit to River Hamble Country Park in Bursledon, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Discover Children’s Story Centre

…there is a Lollipopter to pilot,

an alligator waterfall to cross,

a spoon forest to add to,

a Hovering Observatory to fly through the clouds

and Hootah’s spaceship to explore in the Discover Children’s Story Centre Story Garden. 

Your Challenge!

Can you explore these worlds and write Hootah a story…

…he can post home to wake up his fellow Squigglydigglians!? 

The Temporary Exhibitions

There are also regular immersive exhibitions, often guided by a storyteller.

We have sleuthed our way around Rob Biddulph’s 100 Story Hotel,

had supper with Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

and explored the world of Mog the Forgetful Cat. 

Where to Eat

There is a cafe upstairs that serves food and drinks. There is also a picnic area in the garden. You can also bring your own food to the Story Centre.

The Outdoor Adventure Play Area

We love the imaginative Discover Children’s Story Centre Adventure Play Area. 

The equipment and layout fires the imagination and is a natural extension of the Story Worlds. 

There are things like a space ship, a house that walks, two slides, musical equipment and a mud kitchen.

Nearest Town: Stratford
County: London
Nearest Postcode: E15 4QZ

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details. 
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details. 
Free if: Under 1

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and eat at the picnic tables, try the cafe or try a cafe on the High Street.
Facilities: A shop, cafe, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There are car parks around Stratford but the Story Centre does not have one of its own.
Cost of Parking: Various depending on where you park.

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Tumblestone Hollow Adventure Play Area

The equipment is said to be for children up to around 12 years old that includes:

• a huge, two-storey wooden village with climbing walls, nets, tunnels, ladders, rope bridges, wobbly bridges, balancing logs and a fireman’s pole
• two tube slides 
• a wooden climbing frame with nets and a balancing rope course
• toddler swings 
• swings 

• a treehouse with a slide, rope ladder and rope course 
• a zip wire
• animal springers 
• a spinning bowl 
• a tunnel through a hill
• a wide slide with a hut, net and ladder 

• a sand play area with chutes and pulleys 
• a water play area with a water pump, channels you can direct and a waterwheel
• a basket swing 
• picnic tables
• a covered seating area.

The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow

The adventure play area has been designed around a story book called The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow written by Amy Sparkes and illustrated by Steve Pearce. This book is available to buy at the Visitors’ Centre and will eventually be sold on Amazon so you can read it before you visit. 

The story is about a magical rock called the Glimmerstone and how it came to be at Tumblestone Hollow. 

Stonor Park

Tumblestone Hollow is in the grounds of Stonor Park, an old family house in the Chiltern Hills. 

The surrounding parkland has manicured gardens, woodland, a view point, an ancient stone circle and a herd of deer we encountered on the drive in. 

The Cafes

There are two cafes – one in the Visitors’ Centre and another in the adventure play area that is called The Rumble Hut and offers pizzas cooked in a wood fired pizza oven (but is only open on busy days).

Nearest Town: Henley-on-Thames
County: Oxfordshire
Nearest Postcode: RG9 6HF

Opens: Various times throughout the year – please check their website. 

Adult Cost Range: Various depending on when you go but generally between £5 to £9.99 
Child Cost Range: Various depending on when you go but generally between £5 to £9.99 
Free if: Under 92 cm tall

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Cafes, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

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

Parking: There is a car with lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free with an entry ticket.

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, insects and red kites.

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor Park, near Henley, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Furzey Gardens Fairy Doors

The fairies could be anywhere. We found them hiding in tree stumps, amongst flowers and under bridges. 

To date we have only found about half of the fairy doors scattered throughout the gardens!

How Many Will You Find?

To add to the excitement, there are so many hidden fairy doors that you are unlikely to find them all! Some are marked on the map but many are not, making each visit a fresh adventure.

Did you spot the fairy door in the main photo?

How about now?

There it is – it’s Ken’s Tiny Potting Shed!

Can You Guess Who Lives Inside?

Many doors are named, with some hinting at the type of fairy living inside – Ken’s Tiny Potting Shed, James’ Tool Shed, Beetle Bar, Tulip Treehouse, and The Little Furzey Potting Shed.

Each door is unique, many with delightful details – tiny green wellies outside, a kennel and bone, a cat flap, a potting shed with plant pots, or The Furzey Fairy Ferry Company’s door that lists sailing times and rules next to a tiny boat.

Write to the Fairies and Receive a Reply!  

Inside the Furzey Gardens’ Gift Shop, you can buy a card to send to the fairies using the Fairy Post Box. Collections are made at 2am!

Once the fairies receive your letter they will write you a response. My children loved this interaction and were thrilled to receive their letters in the post.

Gorgeous Gardens

Even without the fairy doors, Furzey Gardens would be a spectacular place to visit. Paths wind and twist around the gardens, which were bursting with character and colour.

There is a pond, bridges and a recreation of Furzey’s gold-winning Chelsea Flower Show Garden. 

The Paths

The gardens are ideal for a walk with children – not too big, with plenty of variety and different areas to explore. 

Easier Access Path

There is an easier access path marked on the map of the gardens, which you can either pick up at the gardens or download from the download the Furzey Gardens map from their website.

The Play Area

The Furzey Gardens play village has wooden equipment, including thatched huts with ladders and tunnels to explore, two swings, a wooden climbing frame and a play boat.

 

The Alpacas

There is also a wildflower conservation area grazed by alpacas.

Minstead Trust

To top it all off, Furzey Gardens is run by a charitable trust that supports and helps people with learning disabilities, some of whom work in the gardens.

Nearest Town: Lyndhurst, near Southampton and Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO43 7GL

Adult Cost Range: Suggested donation from £8
Child Cost Range: Suggested donation from £4.50
Free if: Under 5 years

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Cafe and picnic areas.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, shop, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a good-sized car park but it can be very busy.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, ponies, llamas and birds.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2022

Our visit to Furzey Gardens in the New Forest, near Southampton and Ringwood, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Adventure of Winnall Moors 

“The Adventure of Winnall Moors” leads you along a story trail through the beautiful Winnall Moors Nature Reserve. Your quest begins with a search for the Roadway, which is invisible unless you know the secret password…

Along the way you’ll meet a cast of characters, including Samuel Slipper, the Toad Emperor, Super Slug, and eventually, King Fisher himself.

The Story Trail

This is essentially a walking route that leads you around the nature reserve with a story to read along the way. 

It stops you at various points to notice or do something – for example, spot a sculpture, make a wand, 

find a stone or solve a clue.

Winnall Moors Nature Reserve

Winnall Moors is nature reserve near the centre of Winchester that is home to lots of wildlife, including otters, water voles, and kingfishers. It also has a reedbed boardwalk, wildflower meadows, and the River Itchen.

Nearest Town: Winchester
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO23 8DX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at a cafe in Winchester or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area in the nature reserve and there are cafes in Winchester. 

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

Parking: There are several different car parks nearby. We parked in Chesil Street Multi Storey Pay and Display Car Park (SO23 0HU), which meant we could follow the Water Vole Trail to Winnall Moors. 
Cost of Parking: Varies by car park.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, damselflies and other insects; ducks, swans, kingfishers and other birds; otters; brown trout and other fish.

Information Written: June 2021

Our visit to Winnall Moors Nature Reserve and the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve Story Trail in Winchester is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Bransgore and Thorney Hill

The Nevi-Wesh Story Trail is 1.6 miles long and starts from the Holmsley Walk car park, which is near the Bransgore and Thorney Hill areas of the New Forest. 

The trail leads you through the wooded area known as Magpie Bottom,

and across a little river called the Avon Water. 

Along the way there are ponies, wood ants, and a paddling spot. The paddling spot can be muddy so bring wellies.

The Paths

The paths are easy to walk along and range from surfaced to muddy and bumpy. There are a couple of small hills. We spent about an hour and a half walking and another hour paddling and eating. 

Missing Markers

We couldn’t find any of the Story Snail markers (see below) but it was easy to work out where we needed to stop to read the next part of the story.  

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 – although we could not find any markers on the Nevi-Wesh 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: Ringwood, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: BH23 7EQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: The paths are surfaced in places and muddy in others.

Parking: Holmsley Walk car park. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, wood ants, mini-beasts, butterflies, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: April 2021

Our visit to the Nevi-Wesh Story Trail at Ringwood, in the New Forest, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Dragon of Butser Hill

The story trail was lots of fun with plenty of laughing, charging and howling as you explore the hilltop. The children couldn’t stop scanning the skies for the dragon. 

Butser Hill

The trail leads you around the top of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve, which 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.

Reaching the Top

You can either walk up the hill from Queen Elizabeth Country Park or drive up from the A3. We considered walking but the Visitor’s Centre staff advised against taking a buggy.

The Paths

It only took us fifteen minutes to walk to the top at a slow pace. We did not find the hill steep to climb and my toddler walked with me.

The hill is covered in rough, clumpy grass but there were paths mown through it.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

From Butser Hill you can easily reach Queen Elizabeth Country Park by car, where there is a cafe, play areas for a range of ages, orienteering trails and picnic areas.

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.

Find a 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 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: Horndean, near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1QR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: We used an all terrain buggy without any problems.

Parking: Near the top of Butser Hill is a pay and display car park with lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour

Wildlife You Might See: Sheep, butterflies and birds, maybe even a dragon if you are lucky!

Information Written: June 2017

Our visit to Butser Hill Story Trail at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Horndean, near Petersfield, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Great Binfield Copse

The setting for the story trail is Great Binfield Copse, a smallish area of ancient woodland surrounded by housing developments, Chineham Shopping Centre and the A33.

The Story Trail

The trail starts outside Chineham Library in Chineham town centre and winds its way along a path that darts in and out of woods, fields and residential roads.

The story encourages interaction with the surroundings so try to read the story before you go so you can prompt your children!

Binfield Wood Play Area

There is a play area at Number 5 in the story called Binfield Wood Play Area, which makes a fun stop and a good place for a snack. It also doubles as the giant’s castle!

Great Binfield the Giant

We had lots of fun on this story trail with its magic, spells and statues and my children became really involved.

The Mystery of the Missing Numbers

When we visited, the land between Numbers 2 and 4 of the story was being developed so the story needed some tweaks:

• Number 2: We struggled to find the flying geese and raised beds. We eventually found the geese by leaving the trail and walking a short way up Binfields Farm Lane (away from the school). We never found the raised beds.
• Number 3: The skeleton of the giant three-headed monster (a lamp post) is not there. Luckily, there are several lamp posts around the roundabout you can use instead, although none of these have three heads. We never found the Number 3 marker.

The Paths

The paths were generally wide and well surfaced. The woodland path between Numbers 4 and 5 was narrower and muddier. 

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.

Finding 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: Chineham, Basingstoke
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG24 8BQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: Several options. I used the Chineham Shopping Centre South Car Park (RG24 8BQ), which is the car park marked at the bottom left of the story trail map. If you drive down to the very end of this car park, there are parent and child spaces near the library. The car parks are huge and we parked easily.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017

Our visit to the Great Binfield Story Copse Story Trail in Chineham, Basingstoke, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.