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

 

 

 

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
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

 

Leighton-Linslade

We spent a magical morning following the Children’s Trail past old buildings, up winding mews and along busy streets.

 

 

 

 

The Play Area and Splash Pad

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

 

 

 

 

The large playground has towers, slides, nets, swings and a huge multiplay. There is also a sandy play area

 

 

 

 

and a super splash pad with jets of water. 

 

 

 

 

 

Rushmere Country Park

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

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There are cafes in Leighton-Linslade and places to picnic at Parsons’ Close.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, 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

 

 

 

 

The 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
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, llamas and birds.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2022

 

The Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• two swings
• ladders
• a high tower
• thatched huts
• tunnels to explore
• a play boat
• the Bamboozalom – a living maze made from bamboo
• climbing trees
• a Giant’s Table picnic area
• picnic tables. 

 

Nearest Town: Lyndhurst
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, llamas and birds.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2022

 

 

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.

They also host family friendly events, which are listed on the Queen Elizabeth Country Park website.

 

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
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

 

The Play Equipment

The play area sits on the edge of Binfields Woodland Park and has equipment suitable for children up to 10 years old:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a spinner
• two springers
• a multiplay with a small slide and a table
• another multiplay with a larger slide and climbing nets
• a child-sized picnic table
• a seat for adults.

 

Great Binfield the Giant

The Great Binfield Copse Story Trail is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails* and takes you on a quest to find Great Binfield, a giant who lives in a castle in the woods with giant birds, stag beetles and centipedes. 

Along the way you must collect magical items, cast spells and dodge bramble traps whilst keeping an eye out for signs of the giant.

 

 

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are basically 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 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 the 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: Basingstoke
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG24 8ET

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 30 minutes.
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road by the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017

 

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: 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

 

A Story Trail

We visited Chineham to quest along the Great Binfield Copse Story Trail. This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails* and is called “Great Binfield, the Giant of Basingstoke“.

 

 

Chineham Library

The first marker on the trail is outside Chineham Library, so we went inside to have a look.

 

 

 

 

The Children’s Section

This welcoming area has little sofas, a small table and low boxes full of picture and board books that children can look through. 

 

 

 

The staff member we met was friendly and helpful and gave me some useful advice on choosing reading books.

 

 

 

 

When we visited the library was running various sessions like rhymetime and story telling parties, as well as book groups.

 

 

 

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are basically 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 sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

 

Getting 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 the 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: Basingstoke
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG24 8BQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat in one of the nearby cafes or bing a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: Cafe, ice creams, snacks, drinks, toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: About 30 minutes.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: We parked near the library in Chineham Shopping Centre South car park. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017

 

Butser Hill

At the very top of the hill is a wide open space with grazing sheep, an Ordnance Survey triangulation point and a large aerial mast and station (although you cannot go inside).

 

 

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

At the bottom of the hill is Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which has play areas, orienteering trails, nature spots and picnic and BBQ areas.

 

 

 

Reaching the Top

You can either walk up Butser Hill from Queen Elizabeth Country Park or drive up from the A3.

I considered walking but the Visitors’ Centre staff advised against taking a buggy on the walk.

 

 

From the Car Park

It only took us fifteen minutes to walk from the car park on Butser Hill to the top of the hill (at a toddler’s pace).

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

 

 

Beware the Dragon 

The Butser Hill Story Trail runs around the top of the hill.

It is called “The Dragon of Butser Hill” and tells you a story about knights, damsels, giants and dragons as it winds around the hilltop.

 

 

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: Horndean
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 very lucky!

Information Written: February 2017