The play equipment includes:

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

 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2024

 

The Paths

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

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

 

 

To find the Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path. follow one of the paths next to the play area, heading away from the car park.

 

 

 

Lakeside Nature Reserve Play Area

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

 

The play equipment includes:

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

 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2021
Information Checked: June 2022

 

The Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround the play area, giving it a shady, peaceful feel. The play equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw
• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall
• balance beams.

 

 

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

 

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

 

 

 

 

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

 

 

 

 

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather. Sometimes there are ducks on it.

 

 

 

The pond is at the end of the stream in the woods on the other side of the road. 

 

 

 

 

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of the enormous fir trees look feathered.

It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel. I find it an ideal place to let the children run around and explore. 

 

 

The Secret Orchard

The is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way.

Nearest Town: Normandy, Near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: April 2023
Information Checked: January 2024

 

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

 

 

 

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

 

 

 

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather and sometimes there are ducks on it.

 

 

 

The pond is in the woods at the end of the stream on the other side of the road. 

 

 

 

 

To find the pond, cross Hunts Hill Road (the road the car parks are on). There is a footpath and bridge immediately on your left, which takes you into the woods and then onto Normandy Pond. 

 

 

 

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of its enormous and feathery fir trees.

It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel. I find it an ideal place to let the children run around and explore. 

 

 

The Secret Orchard

This is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way.

The boards say, “All wildlife and visitors can enjoy a variety of true and traditional fruit flavours.”

 

We visited in September and found pear, apple, plum, and cherry trees.

We also saw a mulberry bush, which I knew from the nursery rhyme but had never actually seen. 

 

 

 

Finding the Woods and Orchard

Leave the play area and walk over the football pitch towards the red bin. Walk over the bridge and onto the cricket ground until you reach the cricket building.

 

 

 

Walk across the car park to the woods and take the footpath marked as a Permissive Horse Ride.

 

 

 

 

Follow this path until you come to the entrance to the Wispy Woods on the left.

 

 

 

 

To reach the orchard, keep following this path beyond the woods, ignoring any side paths.

There is a large bend to the right and then a smaller bend to the left and the orchard is up a slight hill and on the right. It is about a five minute walk from the Wispy Woods.

 

The orchard and woods are clearly marked on the car park maps. If it is your first visit, then consider taking a photo of the map with you. 

 

The Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround Normandy Common Play Area, making it a shady, peaceful place to play. The equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw
• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall and balance beams that together make an obstacle course.

 

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

Nearest Town: Normandy, Near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: July 2016
Information Checked: January 2024

 

Watership Down – The Novel

Hazel’s band of rabbits hop seven miles from their warren at Sandleford to the top of Watership Down.

 

 

 

 

Along the way they push their way through Newtown Common, cross footbridges, float along the River Test and discover Nuthanger Farm.  

 

 

 

 

Watership Down – The Hill

“O Frith on the hills!” says Dandelion as the rabbits marvel at the new home Fiver has found them on Watership Down.

Standing at the top of Watership Down it is easy to see why. The views are some of the best I’ve seen. 

 

Standing at the bottom of Watership Down is like looking up at a wall of mud.

 

 

 

 

This was an ideal spot for a hillfort. 

 

 

 

 

 

Gallops

The top of Watership Down is separated from the hillside by Gallops, which are tracks and fences used to train racehorses. 

 

 

 

The fences are enormous!

 

 

 

 

 

There is a footpath across the Gallops but be careful to check for charging horses before you cross.

 

 

 

 

The gate onto the footpath is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the parking area near Ashley Warren Down (see below). 

 

 

 

 

The Warren under the Beech Tree

In the book, the warren the rabbits find on top of Watership Down is hidden amongst the roots of an old beech tree.

This tree stood at the top of Watership Down but sadly was destroyed by a storm in 2004.  

 

 

This spot is now marked by a young beech tree and a plaque in recognition of Richard Adams.

 

 

 

 

When I visited, the rabbits Fiver, Bigwig and Hazel had also been unofficially remembered…

 

 

 

 

Wayfarer’s Way

A long-distance route called the Wayfarer’s Way runs along the top of Watership Down, connecting Ladle Hill (to the west) with Whitehill (to the east).

This can be used by walkers and cyclists. 

 

 

A Fossil Find

On my walk up the hill I randomly discovered a mussel shell fossil just sitting on the path. 

 

 

 

 

Finding Watership Down

To walk to Watership Down from the lay-by near Ashley Warren Down (RG28 7QH) take the path across the road from the lay-by.

 

 

 

This will lead you up a small hill, through a gate and on towards the Gallops and the Richard Adams memorial plaque. 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are not surfaced.

They can be grassy, stony, narrow and steep.

 

 

 

The path along the top of the hill is pretty flat.

It is only the footpath up and down the hill that is steep. 

 

 

 

Note that this is not a circular route. The path down the hill is also the path you come back on. 

 

Nearest Town: Kingsclere
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG28 7QH (or RG25 3EJ)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring one as there are steep hills and narrow paths. 

Parking: There are a couple of options – there is a lay-by to the west of Watership Down near Ashley Warren Down (RG28 7QH) and there is a car park to the east at Whitehill (RG25 3EJ). 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Rabbits and hares, butterflies and other insects, red kites and other birds.

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Park 

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

 

 

 

 

a traditional orchard

 

 

 

 

woodland

 

 

 

 

and meadows.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Wooden Sculptures 

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

Father Oak

 

 

 

 

the Storytelling Throne

 

 

 

 

the amphitheatre 

 

 

 

 

the giant picnic bench. 

 

 

 

 

 

Orienteering 

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

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

 

 

Mystery Brass Rubbing Trail 

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

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

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Natural Play Trail

The Natural Play Trail include things like:

• a tree to climb through
• a see saw made of planks and logs
• a fort with tunnels
• log balance beams
• ropes to climb on
• logs to edge along
• areas to build dens
• areas to climb trees

 

 

Box Hill

As well as the Natural Play Trail, Box Hill also has picturesque views, mini-beasts, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone. 

 

 

 

Box Hill Fort

The Box Hill Fort was one of a series of forts built in the 1890s to enable London to defend itself from invasion. It was used again during WW2. 

 

 

 

The Stepping Stones

The River Mole flows along the foot of Box Hill and can be crossed by jumping between the famous Stepping Stones. 

 

 

 

To find the Stepping Stones you can either walk down the hill or drive to the Stepping Stones car park (see below).  

 

 

 

From April to June the air is heavy with the unmistakable scent of wild garlic.

 

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths around the car parks are surfaced and buggy-friendly. The paths along the play trail are muddy and uneven in places but I used an all terrain buggy without any issues. 

Parking: There are different car parks to choose from –  a couple on top of Box Hill (KT20 7LB – can be unreliable so follow signs as soon as you see them) and another by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE). They all become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

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

First Visit: June 2018
Last Visit: June 2021

 

The Stepping Stones

Each stepping stone is big enough to make me feel confident about crossing and, as there are 17 stones, it also feels like an achievement, especially if the stones are already wet!

 

 

Bear in mind that you may not be crossing alone – some children cross confidently and others refuse and are either carried over or kept back. 

 

 

 

On Top of Box Hill

The Stepping Stones are at the foot of Box Hill. At the top there is lots more to do, including the Natural Play Trail, a fort, a cafe and fabulous views. 

 

The Natural Play Trail

Scattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas that form the Box Hill Natural Play Trail. It has balance courses and a seesaw

 

 

 

ropes and a tunnel.

 

 

 

 

It’s a fantastic way to liven up a walk in the woods. 

 

 

 

 

Box Hill

At the top of Box Hill there are several viewing points, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone but this was shut when I visited. 

 

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, try one of the nearby pubs or go to the top of Box Hill and try the cafe.
Facilities: None at the Stepping Stones. On top of Box Hill there are facilities – cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: The paths around the stepping stones are muddy but fairly flat and I used a buggy without any problems but did not take it over the river. Clearly, jumping between stepping stones with a buggy would be tricky! 

Parking: Car park by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for signs as this is easy to miss). All Box Hill car parks become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

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

Information Written: June 2018
Information Checked: June 2021

 

At the Top of Box Hill

The Natural Play Trail

Scattered throughout the woods on top of Box Hill are natural play areas that form the Box Hill Natural Play Trail. It has balance courses

 

 

 

a seesaw

 

 

 

 

ropes and

 

 

 

 

a tunnel.

 

 

 

 

It’s a fantastic way to liven up a walk in the woods. 

 

 

 

 

Box Hill

At the top of Box Hill there are several viewing points, a cafe, Visitor Centre and Discovery Zone but this was shut when I visited. 

 

 

 

Box Hill Fort

Box Hill Fort was part of a series of forts built in the 1890s to enable London to defend itself from invasion. It was used again during WW2. 

 

 

 

At the Bottom of Box Hill

The Stepping Stones

The River Mole flows along the foot of Box Hill and can be crossed by jumping between the famous Box Hill Stepping Stones. 

 

 

 

From here you can either continue on up Box Hill or stop and have a paddle or pond dip in the river. 

 

 

 

From April to June the air is heavy with the unmistakable scent of wild garlic.

 

Nearest Town: Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcodes: Box Hill: KT20 7LB – note that his does not seem to work for all sat navs so follow signs once you start to see them. The Stepping Stones: RH5 6AE – keep an eye out for the car park as it is easy to miss. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths around the car parks are surfaced and buggy-friendly. The paths along the play trail are muddy and uneven in places but I used an all terrain buggy without any issues. 

Parking: There are different car parks to choose from –  a couple on top of Box Hill (KT20 7LB – can be unreliable so follow signs as soon as you see them) and another by the Stepping Stones (RH5 6AE). They all become very busy and are often full by mid-morning. 
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members; from £1.50 per hour for non-members.

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

Information Written: June 2018
Information Checked: June 2021

 

Priest’s Way

The walk to Keates Quarry and the dinosaur footprints is an easy 3/4 of a mile along paths with sea views.

When you leave the Spyway car park head towards the sea and then turn right onto Priest’s Way in the direction of Worth Matravers. 

 

 

Keate’s Quarry

Along Priest’s Way you walk past a working quarry that is surrounded by stacks of stone.

This is limestone from the local area, which has been quarried for centuries, building places like Corfe Castle and Westminster Abbey.

 

 

“Dinosaur Tracks” This Way

A little way after the quarry you come to a gate on the right with a picture of a dinosaur and “Dinosaur tracks” written on it.

 

 

 

Keates Quarry is then just a short walk across the field.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to bring wellies!

It was very muddy when we visited and we had to make stepping stones to reach the gate.

 

 

 

Dinosaur Footprints

The fossilised dinosaur tracks are believed to have originally been made by Brachiosauruses walking on a lagoon’s beach.

Brachiosauruses were enormous plant eating dinosaurs that could grow to 30m long. They lived 145 million years ago at a time when Dorset was a tropical area covered in swamps, lagoons and forests.

 

The footprints are enormous!

We think we spotted baby dinosaur footprints too.  

 

 

 

 

Dancing Ledge and the Cliffs

From the Spyway car park you can also walk towards the sea and cliffs and then either walk down the coastal paths or just enjoy the beautiful views.

I understand you can also see Dancing Ledge, which is an area of cliff that has been quarried into a flat ledge and has a rock pool that was created for local school children. 

 

 

Scratched Arse Ware?

Sadly, we didn’t have time to explore the rest of Spyway and discover what Scratched Arse Ware is or see Dancing Ledge but I will update this post after our next visit.

 

 

 

Instead we drove for 20 minutes to Dorchester to see the Dinosaur Museum.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

When we visited, the paths ranged from smooth to muddy and bumpy. I used an all terrain buggy and think you might struggle with a normal buggy. 

Nearest Town: Swanage
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH19 3HG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: I used an all terrain buggy without any problems, although I could not push it over the muddy fields. I think some of the paths might be too bumpy for a normal buggy.

Parking: There is medium sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds like puffins, shags, guillemots and sea gulls, cows and insects.

Information Written: February 2020