Ash Embankment Aqueduct

Built in 1994, the Ash Aqueduct carries the Basingstoke Canal over the A331 dual carriageway and the River Blackwater. 

Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path leads underneath the aqueduct and from down below it looks like a normal road bridge.  

This makes climbing the bridge and discovering a canal a stunning surprise, especially on a sunny day.

Blackwater Valley Path Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

This is 2 miles long and starts at Shawfields or Rowan Field. 

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is a convenient place to park near Shawfields.  

Follow the path across the field to a small bridge and turn left onto the Blackwater Valley Path. 

The path will lead you over footbridges

up to the Basingstoke Canal

past Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area

over a couple of roads you need to cross with care 

through narrow paths lined with brambles and stinging nettles 

along the river 

finally ending at North Camp railway station 

and the Old Ford Pub. 

Carrington Recreation Ground

We continue on for a couple of minutes to play at Carrington Recreation Ground, which is also where we park.

River Blackwater

Along Section 3 of the path, the River Blackwater starts to feel like a fully sized river complete with weeds waving in the currents. 

River access becomes very difficult because of the wild vegetation growing alongside. 

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.  

Paths Along Section 3

The paths along Section 3 are generally flat with a few gentle inclines and easy to use.  

The paths after Lakeside Nature Reserve can be very narrow, overgrown and muddy with patches of stinging nettles and brambles. 

There is hard surfacing that is said to suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes.

We have all used scooters along this section between Shawfields and Lakeside Nature Reserve without too much difficulty, although the surface can be uneven in places and there are often stones or branches to dodge. 

But the path around Hollybush Pits does not feel like it is surfaced. In some areas it has large chunks of rock and brick sticking out of the ground. This wasn’t a problem for a bike but I have taken a scooter this way before and couldn’t use it. 

We now don’t take scooters beyond Lakeside Nature Reserve.

Would We Go Back?

We probably wouldn’t go back to the whole of Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path because of the paths around Hollybush Pits. 

Instead, we follow a different and circular route!

A Circular Alternative!

We often cycle along the first half of Section 3, beginning at Ivy Road Recreation Ground and cycling for about ten minutes to the Ash Aqueduct.

From here we either follow the Basingstoke Canal tow path 

to Ash Vale for an ice cream, which takes another ten minutes.

From Ash we cycle back to the aqueduct and rejoin the Blackwater Valley Path North and cycle to Lakeside Nature Reserve Adventure Play Area, which is about a five minute cycle from the aqueduct. 

After Lakeside Play Area we cycle back to the aqueduct and then Ivy Road, which takes about 20 minutes.

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Downstream – Section 4:  Hollybush Pits to Coleford Bridge

Nearest Town: Ash, Ash Vale, North Camp
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Shawfields/Ivy Road: GU12 4XG
Nearest Postcode for Hollybush Pits/Carrington Recreation Ground: GU12 5PG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly up to Lakeside Nature Reserve but can be harder going afterwards. 

Parking: To park near Shawfields, we go to Ivy Road (GU12 4XG) – drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre. To park near Hollybush Pits, we go to Carrington Recreation Ground (GU12 5PG).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 3 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Shawfields in Ash to Hollybush Pits in North Camp is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Four and Five Leaf Clovers

Most clovers have three leaves 

but some have four leaves 

and others have five leaves!  

These special clovers are hard to find. I’ve read that the odds of spotting a four leaf clover are 1 in 10,000 and a five leaf clover are 1 in 100,000. 

When I was little, I read that finding a four leaf clover is lucky and finding a five leaf clover is even luckier so you should only ever give a five leaf clover to someone you love very much.  

Where to Look for Clovers

To give yourself the best chance of finding one and surprising your special someone, have a look amongst the clovers that line the Blackwater Valley Path from Ivy Road Recreation Ground

to just before the main road crossing in Aldershot. 

Here there are enormous clovers so extra leaves are easier to spot. 

Blackwater Valley Path Section 2: Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Section 2 is 2.25 miles long. It starts at Pea Bridge in Badshot Lea and follows the river 

past the well-equipped Aldershot Park and Play area 

and along to a main road. 

This is a fast road so be careful when you cross.  

Beyond this road, the path hugs the river again

and is lined with vegetation and giant clovers.  

Ivy Road Recreation Ground is to your left on the other side of the river

and is accessed by a small bridge. 

Shawfields is at the same point on the path but to your right.  

To find the pond at Rowan Field, 

you need to go diagonally across Shawfields (follow the noise of the dual carriageway!) and go up and over the A331. 

The River Blackwater

Along Section 2 of the path, the River Blackwater grows wider and deeper and you start to see ducks, Canada geese and other water birds. 

There are stretches where you can access the river, for example at Aldershot Park 

but for much of Section 2 the river is hard to reach, either because the banks are steep 

or it is guarded by towering plants.

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.  

The Paths Along Section 2

The path along Section 2 is easy to use and flat.  There are patches that can be overgrown and where you have to go through stinging nettles and brambles. 

It has hard surfacing that is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes. I found using a scooter harder as the surface is too uneven in places for little wheels. 

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 2 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We often cycle along this stretch of the River Blackwater, starting at Aldershot Park and Play Area and cycling to Ivy Road Recreation Ground and then on to Rowan Field and Shawfield Recreation Ground. 

Where to Next?

Upstream – Section 1:  Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge

Downstream – Section 3: Shawfields to Hollybush Pits

Nearest Town: Badshot Lea, Aldershot and Ash
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).
Nearest Postcode for Ivy Road: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down. To park near Shawfields, we go to Ivy Road (GU12 4XG) – drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, ducks, moorhens, coots, Canada gees, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Pea Bridge in Aldershot to Shawfields in Ash is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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.  

Blackwater Valley Path Section 1: Rowhill Nature Reserve to Pea Bridge 

Section 1 starts at Rowhill Nature Reserve car park

and leads you past the boggy source of the Blackwater, 

where it then follows the infant river.

The path leads onto the streets 

and footpaths of Badshot Lea 

and Aldershot. 

Section 1 ends at Pea Bridge, where section 2 begins.

Rowhill Nature Reserve

Rowhill Nature Reserve is a captivating nature reserve of ancient woodland with stumps to balance on,

trees to climb, hills to explore, bridges to build and places to paddle. 

The Source of the Blackwater

The source of the Blackwater River is a bog marked by an information board.  

There isn’t much to see but the bog trickles into a stream that flows into Stickleback Pond. 

The River Blackwater

The River Blackwater is a small stream along section 1 

that has little waterfalls and spots to splash in. 

Once you leave the reserve, the river becomes a little wider and deeper and there is no access. 

The Paths Along Section 1

I found the paths within Rowhill Nature Reserve easy to use and push an all terrain buggy along. 

The paths through Aldershot from pavements to footpaths. 

Some of the footpaths were narrow but they were all flat and easy to use.

There are some road crossings, which you need to cross with care.  Please see the Section 1 route description for full details. 

Would We Go Back?

We really enjoy Rowhill Nature Reserve and visit regularly but for me, the walk beyond the reserve does not add much as you do not really see the river.  I don’t expect to visit this part of section 1 again. 

Where to Next?

Downstream – Section 2:  Pea Bridge to Shawfields

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode for Rowhill Nature Reserve: GU11 3BD
Nearest Postcode for Pea Bridge: GU11 3RD or GU11 3QJ (see below under Parking for details).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a small car park on Cranmore Lane (GU11 3BD), which can be busy. To park near Pea Bridge you can either park on the road near Tice’s Meadow (GU11 3RD) or park in the car park at Brickfields Country Park (GU11 3QJ) and walk down.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2024

Our visit to Section 1 of the Blackwater Valley Path from Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot to Pea Bridge in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rowhill Nature Reserve

There are stumps to balance on, trees to climb, hills to explore, bridges to build and places to paddle. 

The Source of the Blackwater

The source of the Blackwater River is an area of bog. It is next to the pond and marked with an information board.  

There isn’t much to see but the bog trickles into a stream that flows into… 

Stickleback Pond

…Stickleback Pond, which has a small dam and waterfall. 

The River Blackwater

The River Blackwater quickly becomes stream-sized 

and has little waterfalls and spots to paddle in.

Den Building

The paths wind through deciduous woodland with a spot for den building…

Rhododendron Avenue

…and along Rhododendron Avenue before coming to a tranquil meadow and field surrounded by trees.

The Paths 

I found the paths easy to use and push an all terrain buggy along. There are paths that are narrow in places but they were all just ok for my narrow double buggy.

There are two paths that both start from the car park on Cranmore Lane:

1. The Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path starts at the end of the car park near the white house and meanders through the reserve staying close to the River Blackwater.

This is Section 1 of the Blackwater Valley Path and is not a circular path and follows the river out of the reserve at Parkland Grove.

2. The Nature Trail

This is about 1.5 miles long and is marked by a series of posts, starting at the field centre (the wooden building next to the car park).

This is a circular path and begins and ends at the car park on Cranmore Lane.

This trail leads up over steps and a steep hill but these can be avoided if you follow the Blackwater Valley Path to the source of the River Blackwater, where the two paths meet up.

A copy of the nature trail can be found on the Rowhill Nature Reserve website, which marks the steps and an easy access, special needs path that can be accessed from Parkland Grove (GU9 9HA).

50 Things to Do

You could also tackle the 50 Things to Do at Rowhill Copse sheet the reserve have put together.  

How many can you complete?

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There is a small car park on Cranmore Lane (GU11 3BD). This can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Kingfishers, birds, badgers, lizards, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: May 2024

Our visit to Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hawley Meadows Today

Life has moved on during the last 100 years and the modern world now surrounds the meadows – they are bordered by the M3 and the A331 as well as an industrial estate.

The continuous drone of road noise detracts from the picturesque surroundings of the rolling fields, lazy river and wading herons.

Hawley Meadows

This is an area of floodplain meadow with a river walk, bridges to play Poohsticks.

The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart

It also has a Story Trail called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart” which leads you around the meadow, telling tales of wood nymphs, water nymphs and a cheeky boggart.

The Paths around Hawley Meadows

There is a path around the outside of the meadows, which took us about an hour to walk around at a slow pace.

 

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.

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 sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

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 and butterflies.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

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

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

Our visit to St Catherine’s Hill and St Catherine’s Lock in Guildford is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Buscot Lock

Picturesque Buscot Lock is a working lock with a weir, bridges and swans.

The lock keepers we met were very friendly and showed my children how the manual lock works, much to their delight. 

The Thames Path

Walking from Buscot Lock to St John’s Lock took us about an hour and the paths were easy to walk along.  

We followed this circular path from the National Trust’s website. 

You walk from Buscot Village, past Buscot Lock, along the Thames Path, staying close to the river.  

When you reach the bridge you are almost at St Johns Lock.  

St John’s Lock

St John’s Lock is the highest lock on the River Thames.

It has toilets, a small picnic area and a statue of Old Father Thames. 

Old Father Thames 

Originally carved for Crystal Palace in 1854, Old Father Thames was moved to the source of the Thames in Trewsbury Mead in 1936.  

Sadly, it was vandalised and moved again to St John’s Lock.

The source of the Thames is now marked with a simple stone.  

The Trout Inn

We had lunch right next to the river at The Trout Inn,

which has a large garden and lots of tables. 

Buscot Play Area

Buscot Village Play Area has a long obstacle course.  It is conveniently located next to the Buscot Village National Trust car park and is a good place to play at the end your walk.

Nearest Town: Buscot, near Faringdon and Swindon
County: Oxfordshire 
Nearest Postcode: SN7 8DA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at Buscot Village Tea-Rooms (SN7 8DA) or eat at The Trout Inn (GL7 3HA).
Facilities: There are toilets for customers at the Tea-Rooms and Trout Inn. There are public toilets at both locks.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: The paths are fairly flat and easy to walk on.  You could take an all-terrain buggy if you don’t mind bumping up and down some stairs. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Buscot Lock or The Trout Inn’s car park at St John’s Lock. 
Cost of Parking: Parking at Buscot Lock is free for National Trust members; from £2 for two hours for non-members. Parking at The Trout Inn is free. 

Information Written: August 2023

Our visit to Buscot Lock near Faringdon and St John’s Lock near Lechdale, near Swindon, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Moor Road Play Area

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. 

Sports Facilities

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

Our visit to Moor Road Recreation Ground and Play Area in Farnborough 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.

Shepherd Meadows

The meadows are a nature reserve of about 100 acres split in two by the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Valley Path.

This is a particularly lovely section of the river, with benches and angling platforms scattered along it.

The Circular Walk

There is an easy to navigate, circular walk around the reserve that takes you up one side of the River Blackwater, over a bridge and then down the other side of the river to another bridge. 

This route is labelled on the reserve map near the car park.

Poohsticks

The bridges are perfect for a slow game of Poohsticks, so be sure to gather some twigs along your walk.

Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area

Adjoining the nature reserve is Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area, a well-equipped recreation ground and play area with everything from a gorgeous pond and more ducks, to football and tennis, a sand pit, a huge slide and a zip wire. It also has toilets and a cafe with a seating area.

It took us 20 minutes, walking at a very leisurely pace, to reach the play area from the Shepherd Meadows car park.

The Paths

The paths vary from smooth to stony to grassy. They are clearly labelled on the reserve’s map. 

I took an all-terrain buggy and did not have any access problems, although I expect the meadows may become wet in the winter.

Nearest Town: Sandhurst, near Camberley and Crowthorne
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 0FJ or GU47 9BJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or walk to the cafe near to Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area. 
Facilities: None at the reserve itself but there is a cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, a picnic area, ice creams and snacks available at Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area – so opt for the second car park if these are important.

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

Parking: There are two, free car parks and both are a good size. The first is for Shepherd Meadows itself and is on Marshall Road (GU47 0FJ will take you past the car park, which is on the opposite side of the road than the residential houses). The other is next to Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area (GU47 9BJ). To find Shepherd Meadows from this car park, take the path to the left of the play area and walk past the balancing pond where you will pick up signs to Shepherd Meadows.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

Our visit to Shepherd Meadows and Sandhurst Memorial Park and Play Area in Sandhurst, near Camberley and Crowthorne, 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.

Puttles Bridge

Next to the car park is a bridge you can paddle and picnic at.

The Ober Water Trail

Alternatively try the waymarked and circular walk called the Ober Water Trail that starts and finishes at the car park.

The 1 mile route is aimed at families and takes you through the trees,

along the Ober Water

and over bridges.

Nearest Town: Brockenhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7QB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the river but this can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, butterflies and other insects, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: July 2022

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

Chilbolton Cow Common

Chilbolton Cow Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is home to rare plants and animals. 

It also has two bridges.

Chilbolton

On one side of the common is the village of Chilbolton 

and the War Memorial Play Area. 

Wherwell Village

On the other side of the common is the beautiful village of Wherwell. 

To find it you have to walk over the Long Bridge.

Paddling in the River Test

The River Test runs through the common and there is a gorgeous spot for a little paddle.

No Facilities

Chilbolton Cow Common is a beautiful place to visit but as it is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with rare plants and animals in need of protection, and does not have any facilities, it is not somewhere you can spend a full day. 

The Paths

The paths are easy to walk on and generally grass or chalk. 

They are marked out with wooden posts.

Parking 

The common can be very busy during warm weather and parking can be tricky. 

We found two places to park. There is a car park on the Chilbolton side of the River Test (SP20 6BD). 

On the Wherwell side of the river there is a small lay-by on Fullerton Road (SP11 7JS). This is next to the Long Bridge and can fit a couple of cars. 

Finding Your Way

From the Chilbolton Cow Common car park you can walk two ways. 

The path on the right leads to the common, the River Test and eventually the Long Bridge. The River Test is about a five minute walk. The Long Bridge is about a ten to fifteen minute walk. 

The path on the left, which is actually a quiet road, leads to the War Memorial Play Area. It is about a five minute walk. 

Chilbolton War Memorial Playing Field and Play Area

The play equipment at War Memorial Play Area includes a zip wire, slide with a tunnel and various swings.

Nearest Town: Chilbolton, near Andover and Winchester
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SP20 6BD (or SP11 7JS)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, herons, kingfishers and other birds, trout and other pond life and cows.

Information Written: June 2022

Our trip to Chilbolton Cow Common in Chilbolton and Wherwell, near Andover, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Millyford Bridge Inclosure

From the car park there is a main path that follows the Highland Water to a wooden gate.

Beyond this gate is a network of paths to explore. 

The Highland Water continues to the left. 

On the right is woodland and some other streams. 

A Portuguese Fireplace

Depending on which way you drive to Millyford Bridge, you may notice a fireplace standing all alone in the middle of nowhere. This known as the Portuguese Fireplace and it is the last remnant of a camp established by the Portuguese army during World War 1 to assist in the production of timber. 

Finding the Car Park

The closest post code I could find to Millyford Bridge is SO43 7GQ, which takes you to the car park for Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. From here, follow the road to Lyndhurst and the Millyford Bridge car park is on your left. 

As the post code is close but not exact, please be sure to have a look at map before you go. 

Nearest Town: Near Lyndhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO43 7GQ – but please see note above on finding the car park.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, insects, butterflies, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: June 2022

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

Pond Dipping and Paddling

This bridge is a picturesque spot to splash around the river, try your luck at pond dipping,

tackle some log bridges or stop and have a picnic. 

Finding the Bridge

To find the bridge, follow the stony path from the car park, which will lead you past heathland, into the woods and then to the bridge.  

The walk takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.

Finding Ober Corner Car Park

To find the Ober Corner car park, use SO42 7QD and follow the road all the way to the end. 

You will pass Beechern Wood Car Park and Aldridge Hill camp site on the way. 

Deep Water 

Note that the brook by the car park is shallow in some places but deep in others and there are warning signs.  

Nearest Town: Brockenhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7QD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the river but this can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, butterflies and other insects, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: May 2022

Our visit to Ober Corner near Brockenhurst in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Natural Play Area

This natural play area has:

• a zip wire
• balance course
• basket swing
• tyre swings
• platforms
• willow tunnels.

The Storyboat

The other is the Storyboat – a wooden boat surrounded by wooden sculptures of an eel, a beetle, a vole, a trout and a dragonfly. 

It can be used for free play or a chasing game suggested on one of the boards called ‘Eels Out’.

Morden Hall Park

There is plenty of nature to see too – a pinetum, a meadow, an arboretum, and the wetlands, which you can see from a boardwalk.

The Boardwalk

The children loved the boardwalk as we were within inches of two groups of ducks and their tiny ducklings as well as tadpoles and swimming insects. 

There is also a pond dipping platform halfway along the boardwalk.

The Cafes

Morden Hall Park has two cafes – one in the Potting Shed and another in the Stableyard.

Orienteering

There is also a permanent orienteering course. You can download the map before you go from the Mole Valley Orienteering Club’s website.

Deen City Farm

At the end of the wetland boardwalk is a path that leads out of the park, over the tramlines, and on to Deen City Farm, a free entry, urban farm.

Nearest Town: Morden, near Epsom and Wimbledon
County: London
Nearest Postcode: SM4 5JD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or buy food from the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, accessible toilets, picnic area, snacks, ice creams.

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

Parking: Car park that has lots of spaces but was very busy when we visited at the start of the Easter holidays.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, kingfishers, ducks and Canada geese.

Information Written: April 2017

Our visit to the National Trust’s Morden Hall Park in Morden, near Epsom and Wimbledon is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.