The Course

The obstacles include:

two boats you have to ride across the river

 

 

 

 

a ball-swallowing snake

 

 

 

 

and a sinking pirate ship…

 

 

 

 

 

…with a glow in the dark interior.

 

 

Nearest Town: Old Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU22 8JH

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: 3 years and under

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: There is a cafe in the club house.
Facilities: Cafe, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

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

Information Written: March 2019
Information Checked: February 2025

 

The Play Equipment

The play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a pirate boat
• a seesaw
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a bridge, bars and a slide with a ladder
• a second slide with easy to climb stairs
• a balance course
• two springers
• a hopscotch board
• a covered seating area
• an outdoor multi-gym
• a picnic table
• a table tennis table 
• seats.

 

 

Next to the play area is a very large sports field with a football pitch and a cricket pitch.

There is also a shop where you can buy snacks and ice cream and the child and dog friendly Holly Bush. 

 

 

A Walk to a Stream

If you walk down past the playing fields you come to a footpath through the trees.

This leads to a bridge over a little stream and some fields where we spotted some ducks and rabbits.

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3BJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There is village shop next to the play area, a pub nearby where you can buy food.  You can also bring a picnic.
Facilities: A shop, pub and a picnic area.

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

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

Animals You Might See: Ducks, insects and rabbits.

Information Written: February 2020
Information Checked: June 2024

 

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

 

Paultons Park

Paultons Park itself is a family theme park that also has

 

 

 

 

dinosaurs to spot

 

 

 

 

 

animals to watch

 

 

 

 

 

adventure play areas and splash pads

 

 

 

 

 

a wide variety of rides for all ages

 

 

 

 

 

and a train and several garden walks for anyone who prefers something a little more gentle. 

 

 

 

 

Peppa Pig World

This Peppa Pig themed part of the park brings the Peppa Pig stories, characters and illustrations to life and allows you to explore Peppa’s town

 

 

 

 

meet her family and friends

 

 

 

 

 

ride in their trains and boats

 

 

 

 

 

cars and helicopters

 

 

 

 

 

and even meet Peppa herself. 

 

 

 

 

 

Peppa Pig Prep!

Believe it or not, we visited Peppa Pig World without having watched or read anything about Peppa Pig!

 

 

 

 

We still enjoyed our first visit, even without knowing the characters, but reading the books definitely made subsequent visits more magical!

 

 

 

 

George’s Spaceship Playzone

This is a soft play area with slides and climbing frames

 

 

 

 

as well as an area for smaller children. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs roam around the Lost Kingdom!

We spotted several, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Velociraptors and the staggeringly large Argentinosaurus. 

 

 

The Dinosaur Tour Co. offer dinosaur safaris by Jeep! 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Kingdom

Paultons Park has two splash parks – a large splash pad with tipping buckets, fountains and water shooters and another smaller one called Muddy Puddles.

 

 

 

Adventure Play Areas

There are three adventure play areas, including one that is themed around Mr Potato from Peppa Pig and another dinosaur-themed one where you can dig for fossils. 

Nearest Town: Romsey, Near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO51 6AL

Adult Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 1 metre tall

Opens: Various times and days throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Where to Eat: Various restaurants, cafes and picnic areas.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, shops, cafes, snacks and ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly 

Parking: Large car parks
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife you might see: Penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos, pelicans, tropical birds, owls, fish, lizards and insects.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: April 2021

 

Epic Fun

LEGOLAND^® is a LEGO^® brick theme park complete with epic music, shows, models, crowds and queues.

 

 

 

 

Themed Lands

LEGOLAND^® is divided into action-packed themed lands, which combine LEGO^® brick models with rides, water fun, live shows and adventure.

 

 

 

 

Drench Towers

There is also an enormous water play area called Drench Towers and Splash Safari that has Duplo^® animals (including the polar bear, giraffe and elephant) and interactive water features like water cannons, water slides and fountains.

 

 

 

Miniland

Miniland features LEGO^® brick models of cities like London, Amsterdam and Paris as well as models of the space shuttle and remote controlled boats.

 

 

 

Legal notice: LEGO^®, DUPLO^® and LEGOLAND^® are trademarks of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.

Nearest Town: Windsor
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL4 4AY

Opens: Various times throughout the year

Adult Cost Range: Various
Child Cost Range: Various
Free if: Under 90cm tall

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

How Long We Spent There: We spent a full day at LEGOLAND^® Windsor Resort and still didn’t manage to see everything!
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a massive car park.
Cost of Parking: From £8

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: December 2023

 

The pirate and sea-themed play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• spinning swings
• a basket swing
• a rope swing
• a pirate ship multiplay with slides, a tube slide, bridges, nets and a built in zip slide
• a multiplay shaped like another pirate ship with a cannon and telescope
• a slide lighthouse
• other smaller multiplays for younger children with slides and activities
• a wobbly pirate ship
• sea creature springers
• an obstacle course
• accessible roundabout
• a trampoline
• a spinning climbing frame
• puzzle boards
• seats and picnic tables. 

 

Next to the play area is a large field with football pitches and a multi-gym.  

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a BMX pump track, which some children use scooters on as well as a multi-use games area with basketball nets.

 

 

 

 

Cove Brook

Running along one side of the recreation ground is Cove Brook, which has a two mile long path running along it. 

 

Nearest Town: Farnborough
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU14 8HW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: February 2023

 

Obelisk Lawn Play Area

The play area has equipment that it says is suitable for children from 2 to to 9 years old and includes:

• toddler swings
• a seesaw
• a springer
• a covered sand play area
• a multiplay with a slide, a bridge and easy to climb steps
• game boards
• fun house style mirrors and
• a partially sunken wooden ship with climbing nets, a steering wheel and a crow’s nest.

 

There are also dens in the rhododendrons to the left and right of the play area.

 

 

 

 

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Next to Obelisk Lawn is Adventure Play, a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

 

 

 

 

Note: Adventure Play has an entry fee.

 

 

 

 

 

The Savill Garden

A short walk takes you to the Savill Garden in one direction or the Obelisk Pond in the other.

There are lots of ducks and waterbirds to feed.

 

 

Walking to Virginia Water

A longer walk takes you through the beautiful Valley Gardens to Virginia Water Lake and the Totem Pole.

It took us about fifteen minutes to scoot there. 

 

Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0UJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe van next to the play area, picnic areas, restaurant in the nearby Savill Garden Visitor Centre.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets inside the nearby Savill Garden Visitor Centre.

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

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 per hour in the Savill Garden car park.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, squirrels, lots and lots of ducks and water birds.

Information Written: December 2016
Information Checked: September 2023

 

Explore

There are three main areas of Virginia Water:

• Virginia Water – the main lake area, which has the Leptis Magna ruins, waterfall, and the totem pole. 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Valley Gardens – an area of hills and valleys planted with flowering plants from across the world. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Savill Garden – beautiful and connected gardens that often have child-friendly events. 

 

 

 

 

• Adventure Play – wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.

 

 

 

 

The Play Area

If you walk past the totem pole towards The Savill Garden, you will find the Obelisk Lawn Play Area. This has a sunken ship and equipment for children aged 2 to 9 years old. 

 

 

 

Cafes

There are several cafes around the gardens to buy coffee and snacks.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

There are lots of walking routes to choose from. Each pass different features on a variety of surfaces – some paths are flat and well surfaced, others are muddy but flat and others are rugged and bumpy.

 

 

Pick Up a Map

There are clear sign posts but it is worth picking up a map. We found one in the cafe at the Valley Gardens car park.

 

Nearest Town: Virginia Water
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU25 4QF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – the cafe next to Virginia Water car park or The Savill Garden car park, mobile cafes scattered across the gardens or nearby pubs.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Several large car parks –  Virginia Water (GU25 4QF), Virginia Water South (SL5 7SB), Valley Gardens (TW20 0UJ – but Members and Friends only) and The Savill Garden (also TW20 0UJ). All of these are very busy during warm weather. 
Cost of Parking: From £3.10 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.

Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: September 2023

 

Municipal Gardens has a range of newly refurbished equipment that provides a challenge for children of all ages but is only recommended to the age of 12 years. It includes:

• a fortress climbing frame with a tube slide, climbing walls, bridges, poles and nets
• a games area with anagrams, four in a row and reversi as well as a kitchen hob and kaleidoscope
• a second slide for younger children
• a network of houses for smaller children to climb around and play in
• toddler swings
• double swings
• swings
• a rope swing
• a tyre swing
• a balance course
• a roundabout
• a spinning disc
• a wobbly pirate ship with a steering wheel
• sea creature springers
• a seal seesaw
• a Cinderella seesaw
• a picnic table and
• seats for adults.

 

Municipal Gardens has a multi-use games area and you can play basketball, football, hockey and cricket. There is also a skateboarding area and an outdoor gym.

There are also gardens and open areas to walk through and picnic in.

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU11 3EP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There no car park but you can usually find a space on one of the nearby residential roads. Be sure to find one that does not have parking restrictions. We try Cargate Avenue (GU11 3EP), Upper Elms Road (GU11 3ES), Cargate Hill (GU11 3AA), The Warren (GU11 3AB) and Lansdowne Road (GU11 3ER).
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

 

River Hamble Country Park

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

 

Topfield

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

 

 

 

 

Manor Farm

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Barnfield

 

The Barn

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

The Grace Dieu

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

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Trails

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The River Hamble

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

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Crabbing on the Pontoon

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

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

 

 

HMS Cricket

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

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

 

 

The Manor Farm Fairy Folk Story Trail

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

 

 

 

 

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered story sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

 

 

 

Finding a Copy of the Story Trail

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a story trail from the internet in written or audio form. Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: April 2023