The Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a tyre swing
• a rocking horse
• a slide built into the hill
• a roundabout
• springers
• a multiplay with a slide and binoculars
• a sunken pirate ship sand pit
• a tunnel
• a wooden climbing frame obstacle course with a slide and climbing wall.

 

Next to the play area are picnic tables

 

 

 

 

and The Plump Duck cafe.

 

 

 

Petersfield Heath

This is ancient heathland with a large pond

 

 

 

 

boat hire 

 

 

 

 

 

and a circular trail. 

 

 

Nearest Town: Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU31 4LB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Lizards, insects, ducks, swans, geese, kingfishers and other birds.

Information Written: July 2022

 

Broadwater Park Play Area

The play area is for children to the age of 14 years old.

The equipment for younger children includes:

• a multiplay and slide a bridge
• a wooden climbing frame with a slide
• a wooden play house 
• a sand pit with sand play equipment and mushrooms
• a play house with seats and puzzle boards
• a Simon says machine
• toddler swings
• a springer seesaw
• a car and motorbike springer
• a spinning cup.

 

The play equipment for older children includes:

• a climbing frame with bars and a climbing wall
• a spinning ring
• equipment to balance on
• swings.

 

Broadwater Park Recreation Ground

Next to the play area are picnic tables and

 

 

 

 

a large field with cricket pitches.

 

 

 

 

 

Also Broadwater Park Multi Use Games Area

 

 

 

 

and tennis courts.

 

 

 

Broadwater Park

This is a large park with fields, a tarmac path you can scooter on,

 

 

 

 

a pond next to the play area where you can feed ducks

 

 

 

 

and a huge lake with another picnic area. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are generally flat and easy to walk on. Some are surfaced and others are muddy.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 1HR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Car park next to the park and near the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: July 2022

 

Stockbridge Common Marsh

As you enter Stockbridge Common Marsh you pass a National Trust sign that says ‘The Lions Den’ and I have absolutely no idea why!

 

 

 

The common is mainly grassland where you can walk and picnic during dry weather.

 

 

 

 

A tributary of the River Test flows along one edge.

 

 

 

 

If you look carefully you may spot brown trout.

 

 

 

 

 

Paddling

Children can have a little paddle by the bridge

 

 

 

 

but they may not be alone!

 

 

 

 

 

Stockbridge Town

If you cross the bridge and walk a short way, you come to the pretty town of Stockbridge.

 

 

 

 

The River Test flows through the town, past shops and places to eat. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are flat and easy to walk on but can become boggy and muddy during wetter weather.

 

Nearest Town: Stockbridge, near Andover and Winchester
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO20 6JA 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: You might be able to use an all terrain buggy.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects; herons, kingfishers and other birds; brown trout,  other fish and pond life; cows and water voles.

Information Written: June 2022

 

Hankley Common

Hankley Common has beautiful views and some of the finest heathland in Southern England, all criss-crossed by a network of paths.

 

 

 

We have stumbled across lizards, onto film sets and down steep, sandy hills. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlantic Wall

Hidden in the trees near Upper Car Park is the Atlantic Wall, which was built by Canadian soldiers in 1943.

 

 

 

 

This was used to train soldiers to overcome the German defences they might face in northern France. 

 

 

 

 

Dragon’s Teeth

Scattered through the nearby trees are pyramid-shaped anti-tank obstacles, which were also used for training.   

 

 

 

 

 

James Bond

Hankley Common was one of the locations used for James Bond’s childhood home in the film Skyfall.  

 

 

 

 

Thor’s Den

There is a nearby play area called Thor’s Den, which is on the edge of Thursley Common, just a short drive from Hankley Common.

Nearest Town: Thursley, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring a buggy here as there are sandy hills to navigate. 

Parking: There are two car parks that can both be found from Thursley Road. The first is called Upper Car Park and can be found using post code GU8 6LW. It is at the top of a little side road that comes off Thursley Road on the double bend (opposite a sign that says “Hankley TRG Area DZ Huts”). The second is called Thursley Public Car Park, which can be found using post code GU10 2LQ and is towards The Sculpture Park end of the road. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, lizards, deer and insects.

Information Written: November 2020

 

The 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

The 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

 

The Reserve

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

 

 

 

The mud flats look very different at high

 

 

 

 

and low tide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt Production

To produce salt, coastal lagoons were built into salt docks, called Salterns, which trapped the sea water.

 

 

 

 

The sea water was left to evaporate and, once reduced to a salty solution, it was heated in metal pans until only salt crystals were left.  

 

 

 

All that remains of this industry are the lagoons and this building, which was once a salt barn.

You can find this between points 4 and 5 on the Story Trail map. 

 

 

 

The Story Trail

The Story of Salterns, Sea Monsters and Saving the Day is a story trail that takes you back to 1832 and the life of a salt farmer as they meet sailors, smugglers and a huge sea monster. 

 

 

 

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.

You can either take the small footpath on your left (next to the green bin in the photo)

 

or follow the road a little further and enter the reserve through this gate, which is where the story trail begins.

 

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

 

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill used to be called Drakehull (or Dragon Hill) and is  a sacred site that dates back thousands of years to the Stone Age.

 

 

 

In the 14th century a chapel was built here, which now lies in ruins.

 

 

 

 

 

Sacred Spring

At the bottom of St Catherine’s Hill by the River Wey is a sacred spring that was believed to cure sore eyes. 

 

 

 

 

Next to it is a little plaque and a poem:

“Your upward path, my downward flow

Are fixed by law divine,

My task is to refresh your soul,

Yours to discover mine”

 

 

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey flows past St Catherine’s Hill.

 

 

 

 

You can follow the River Wey Navigations footpath along the river (if you are looking at the river then follow the path to the right)

 

 

 

and on to St Catherine’s Lock.  

 

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Lock

When at the lock, you can either turn around and go back to the car park the same way you have come or cross the river 

 

 

 

and follow the footpath back to Shalford Park,

 

 

 

 

passing St Mary’s Church, Shalford.

 

 

 

 

 

This route is wilder than the path along the river, with obstacles like fallen trees

 

 

 

 

and streams. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding St Catherine’s Hill

As you leave Shalford Park car park, head to the line of trees on your right

 

 

 

 

and follow the footpath that leads through the trees and on to the River Wey.

 

 

 

 

Once at the river, cross the bridge

 

 

 

 

 

walk past the spring and up Ferry Lane to the main road.

 

 

 

 

St Catherine’s Hill is on your left and will take you up to the church.

 

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 1LJ is the nearest postcode but parking is on the other side of the River Wey at GU4 8AA.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There is a car park at Shalford Park (GU4 8AA).
Cost of Parking: £4 per day. 

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

Information Written: July 2022

 

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

 

Ashford Hangers

The Ashford Hangers is a National Nature Reserve with invigoratingly steep hillsides covered in clinging trees

 

 

 

 

and breathtaking views extending across Hampshire and Sussex.

 

 

 

 

 

Shoulder of Mutton Hill

This is the view from the top of Shoulder of Mutton Hill and it is every bit as spectacular as people say. 

 

 

 

 

The stone you can see is a memorial to the poet Edward Thomas, who lived in this area from 1906 to 1916. 

 

 

 

 

Where to Next?

From Shoulder of Mutton Hill you can continue on to Cobbett’s View on Wheatham Hill

 

 

 

 

or back down to Lutcombe Pond and Ashford Stream.

 

 

 

 

Finding Shoulder of Mutton Hill

There are different ways to reach Shoulder of Mutton Hill and the top of the Ashford Hangers but these are the three routes I use, all of which involve climbs:

 

From Lutcombe Pond:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow the path that runs along Ashford Stream, keeping Lutcombe Pond on your right.

Keep walking straight up the hill and when you are nearly at the top,  you come to these steps.

 

Follow this path all the way to Shoulder of Mutton Hill.

 

 

 

 

From Lutcombe Pond Using the Little Bridge:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow the path that runs along Ashford Stream, but this time cross the little bridge and keep Lutcombe Pond on your left.

 

 

Follow the path to the right and you come to these steps, which are at the foot of Shoulder of Mutton Hill.

 

 

 

A short but very steep climb will take you all the way to the top.

 

 

 

 

From Ashford Farm:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, 

 

 

 

 

follow the path as it leads up the hangers.  

 

 

 

 

After a climb and some twists and turns, you will find yourself at these stairs and Wheatham Hill.

Continue on this fairly flat path and Shoulder of Mutton hill is a little further on and on the left. 

Nearest Town: Steep, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1AA or GU32 1AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: The first path from the car park to the pond is buggy friendly but the paths quickly become steep and uneven afterwards. 

Parking: There is a small space for a few cars to park off the road (GU32 1AB) on Ashford Lane. There is also an area where cars park to the side of Ashford Farm (GU32 1AA). 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: January 2024

 

Ashford Hangers

The Ashford Hangers is a National Nature Reserve with invigoratingly steep hillsides covered in clinging trees

 

 

 

 

and breathtaking views extending across Hampshire and Sussex.

 

 

 

 

Wheatham Hill

Wheatham Hill is 249m high, making it one of the highest hills in Hampshire.

At the top is a trig point, a bench and a spectacular spot for a picnic. 

 

 

 

The beautiful views extend to Selbourne Common and beyond to what I think are the Hogs Back, Gibbet Hill and Crooksbury Hill. 

 

 

 

 

Cobbett’s View

William Cobbett (1763-1835) was many things – radical, journalist, farmer, MP, political and social reformer.

Starting in 1822, he went on a series of journeys to see for himself the conditions of rural life. He recorded his findings, which became the book Rural Rides.

 

 

 

On 24 November 1822, Cobbett arrived at the Ashford Hangers and describes his adventure through the hangers to Wheatham Hill, which is now known As Cobbett’s View.

 

 

 

To the Top!

I will let William Cobbett explain about the spectacular joys of walking to the top of Wheatham Hill!

 

 

 

 

“On we trotted up this pretty green lane; and indeed, we had been coming gently and generally up hill for a good while.

 

 

 

“The lane was between highish banks and pretty high stuff growing on the banks, so that we could see no distance from us,

 

 

 

“and could receive not the smallest hint of what was so near at hand.

 

 

 

 

“The lane had a little turn towards the end; so that, out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life, was I so surprised and so delighted!

 

 

 

“I pulled up my horse, and sat and looked; and it was like looking from the top of a castle down into the sea, except that the valley was land and not water.

 

 

 

“I looked at my servant, to see what effect this unexpected sight had upon him. His surprise was as great as mine, though he had been bred amongst the North Hampshire hills. Those who had so strenuously dwelt on the dirt and dangers of this route, had said not a word about beauties, the matchless beauties of the scenery.

 

“These hangers are woods on the sides of very steep hills. The trees and underwood hang, in some sort, to the ground, instead of standing on it. Hence these places are called Hangers.”

 

 

 

The above description of Cobbett’s adventure in the Ashford Hangers starts on page 127 of Rural Rides. You can find a free online copy on the Project Gutenberg website. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Wheatham Hill

There are different ways to reach Wheatham Hill and the top of the Ashford Hangers but these are the two routes I use:

 

From Lutcombe Pond:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, follow the path that runs along Ashford Stream, keeping Lutcombe Pond on your right.

Keep walking straight up the hill and when you are nearly at the top,  you come to these steps. Follow this path to Shoulder of Mutton Hill

 

and then on to Wheatham Hill, which is at the top of these stairs.

 

 

 

 

From Ashford Farm:

From the car park at GU32 1AB, 

 

 

 

 

follow this path as it leads up the hangers.  

 

 

 

 

After a steep climb and some twists and turns, you will find yourself at these same stairs and Wheatham Hill. 

 

Nearest Town: Steep, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU32 1AB or GU32 1AA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths up the hangers are often steep and/or narrow. I have seen a couple of families taking little children on these walks but never with buggies. 

Parking: There is a small space for a few cars to park off the road (GU32 1AB) on Ashford Lane. There is also an area where cars park to the side of Ashford Farm (GU32 1AA). 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: January 2024