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

 

The Play Area for Younger Children

The first play area is for younger children up to the age of 12 years and has:

• a sand play area
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a seesaw
• a play house
• spinners
• a roundabout and
• an entertaining multiplay with three slides, nets, a climbing wall, fireman’s poles, binoculars, a loud hailer and an easy access ramp.

 

The Play Area for Older Children

The second play area is for older children and has:

• various swings
• a basket swing
• an obstacle course
• a climbing pole
• a rope climbing frame
• a trampoline
• a much larger slide that can be reached by climbing ropes, a climbing wall or a ladder and
• picnic tabes.

 

Sports Grounds

Also at the park are football, rugby and cricket pitches.

 

 

 

 

Scooters and Bikes

A scooter track runs through the play area.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a surfaced path that runs around the outside of the play area and past the lake, which you can cycle or scooter along. 

 

 

 

The Lake

Around the outside of the play areas is a fishing lake with ducks, swans and geese. 

 

 

 

 

Parkside’s Cafe in the Park

There are also picnic tables, public toilets and Parkside’s Cafe in the Park, a cafe run by a local charity.

 

 

 

 

Blackwater Valley Path

If you fancy a walk then head over the playing fields towards the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Valley path where we found butterflies, ducks and caterpillars.

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4BP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at Parkside’s Cafe in the Park. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and 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: Ducks, swans and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: December 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

 

The Pirate Ship Area

The pirate ship multiplay has a slide, a hammock, a cargo net, a climbing wall and easy to climb steps.

 

 

 

 

Next to it is a water play area with wheels, chutes and a water pump.

 

 

 

 

There is also a wide slide with a ramp, a spinning disc

 

 

 

 

and a rock pile and basket swing.

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

The adventure play area has the following equipment:

• a tube slide and wooden climbing frame with a climbing wall, a ladder, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden climbing frame made of logs
• an obstacle course with nets, wobbly logs and ropes
• a spinning disc
• hammocks 
• musical stepping stones
• toddler swings
• swings
• a cradle swing
• a zip wire
• a trampoline
• picnic tables
• seats.

 

The Cafe

Next to the play area is Jackson’s cafe

 

 

 

 

and also a kiosk.

 

 

 

 

 

The Paddling Pool

California Country Park has a paddling pool you pay to use.

At the time of writing it was £2.90 for anyone entering the water and £1.20 for adults going in to supervise but not swim.  

This is only open during the summer.

 

 

California Country Park

As well as the adventure play area, Calirfornia Country Park has four main areas – Longmoor Lake, heathland, woodland and Longmoor Bog, an 8,000 year old mire accessible by boardwalk.

 

 

 

The Walks

The park map suggests different  walks that take you around the lake, through some woodland or over a small boardwalk. 

 

 

 

 

Scooters and Bikes

We often take bikes and scooters on a twenty minute, circular route around the lake.  

This route is surfaced and starts and finishes at the adventure play area.

Nearest Town: Finchamstead
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG40 4HU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, cafe, ice creams, snacks, drinks, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various charges depending on the season. 

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, snakes, birds, ducks, swans, geese and other birds.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

 

Your Mission…

Can you creep through the tunnel without waking the fox and badger, who have both fallen asleep on guard duty?

 

 

 

What’s the best way to run the gauntlet and escape the clutches of the giant jumping spider?

 

 

 

 

How quickly can you scale the eagle’s tower?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it possible to defend the swamp fortress at each of its many entry points?

 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

Little ones will probably need some help with the equipment, which is for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• slides
• a seesaw
• a zip wire
• a tunnel in the hillside
• a spider and web to climb on
• a fort with rope bridges, climbing walls, ladders and nets
• an obstacle course
• a wobbly bridge
• a trim trail with bars, ropes and beams
• a picnic table
• seats.

 

A Surprise Second Play Area

Farnham Park also has another play area called Farnham Park St James Play Area, which is a more traditional play area aimed at younger children.

It is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the adventure play area.

 

 

Farnham Park Itself

Farnham Park is a 320 acre medieval deer park with a rural feel.

 

 

 

 

It’s a beautiful spot to go for a walk across rolling fields, through wooded areas and over hills with views.

 

 

 

 

We found plenty of places to play hide and seek, find secret dens and hunt for mini-beasts.

 

 

 

 

Paddling and Ponds

There are also some small streams you can paddle in and some wild ponds.

You can find a map of Farnham Park on the local council’s website.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 0AU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables and a cafe. 
Facilities: Toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. The main paths are well surfaced and there are smaller paths over the grassy fields.

Parking: There are two car parks both of which are on Folly Hill – the main car park is near Farnham Castle (GU9 0AU) and the second, smaller car park is called Farnham Park Rangers Car Park and is a little further up Folly Hill (with Farnham and Farnham Castle behind you) and on the right. 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

 

The Playground

The play equipment is better suited to older children as it could be hard for younger children to use independently. The equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• a spinner that you hang under
• a climbing frame with a nets and nests of baskets.

 

 

Next to the play area is a basketball court and a football pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

The Blackwater River

The River Blackwater flows along the edge of the field.

The Blackwater Valley Path along this stretch of the river is surfaced and you can ride, scooter and walk along it.

 

 

To find the river and path, head for the trees at the bottom of the field. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Ivy Road Play Area

To find the play area using GU12 4XG, drive past the waste recycling centre and turn left next to the sign for Belle Vue Enterprise Centre.

 

Nearest Town: Aldershot
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU12 4XG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a small car park next to the playground. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, birds, ducks and Canada geese.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: July 2022

 

Ascot Heath

Ascot Heath sits in the centre of Ascot Racecourse.

 

 

 

 

A surfaced path runs along the racetrack that you can scooter or cycle along.

 

 

 

 

These paths can be a little bumpy in places.

 

 

 

 

 

Ascot Racecourse

Around the racecourse you can spot the grandstand

 

 

 

 

enormously tall fences the horses jump over

 

 

 

 

a helicopter pad

 

 

 

 

 

a moveable piece of race track

 

 

 

 

 

points where different races start

 

 

 

 

 

a pond with a fountain (but this is fenced off)

 

 

 

 

and a tower for filming the races.

 

 

 

 

 

The Underpass

To find Ascot Heath and the Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area, head through the underpass and up onto Ascot Heath.

Go straight across the heath and the play area is on the right opposite the Grandstand.

 

The Ascot Racecourse Play Area 

The Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area has equipment said to be suitable for children up to 12 years old and includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• a climbing frame for older children with  spins
• a multiplay with a slide, climbing wall, nets, ladders and a fireman’s pole
• seats for adults.

Nearest Town: Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 7LJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is no car park but you can park next to the underpass on the road that leads towards the Royal Ascot Golf Club. 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Ascot Heath Children’s Play Area 

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children up to 12 years old and includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• a climbing frame for older children with  spins
• a multiplay with a slide, climbing wall, nets, ladders and a fireman’s pole
• seats for adults.

 

Ascot Heath

The play area is on Ascot Heath, which is in the centre of Ascot Racecourse.

 

 

 

 

A surfaced path runs along the racetrack that you can scooter or cycle along.

 

 

 

 

Ascot Racecourse

There is plenty to spot around the racecourse, including a helipad, the enormous grandstand and the huge fences that the horses jump. 

 

 

 

 

The Underpass

To find the play area, head through the underpass tunnel and up onto Ascot Heath.

Go straight across the heath and the play area is on the right opposite the Grandstand.

Nearest Town: Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 7LJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is no car park but you can park next to the underpass on the road that leads towards the Royal Ascot Golf Club. 
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: June 2022

 

Elvetham Heath Nature Reserve

The reserve is about 20 acres of heathland, woodland and marshland, criss-crossed with pathways and dotted with play areas.

 

 

 

There is also a stream and a duck pond. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wildlife

We saw plenty of wildlife – ducks, Canada geese, beetles, squirrels, birds, caterpillars, butterflies.

We also saw the grazing cows, which wander freely.

 

 

 

The M3

The M3 motorway rumbles along the side of the reserve. It is not the most peaceful place we have been to but we found that the noise soon faded into the background.

 

 

 

Finding Elvetham Heath Nature Reserve

To find the nature reserve from St Swithins Road, use the wide footpath at the top of the road. 

 

 

 

This takes you to a gate to Elvetham Heath and also to the Post Haste Play Area.

 

 

 

 

Post Haste Play Area

Post Haste Play Area is on the edge of Elvetham Heath nature reserve and has a wagon multiplay and some swings. 

 

 

 

Choice of Walks

From the Elvetham Heath Gate and Post Haste Play Area you have a couple of walks to choose from. 

 

A Second Play Area

Turn left out of the play area and onto the path that runs along the heath. This will eventually come to the Twyford Close Play Area.

This takes about ten minutes at an adult pace and can be cycled or scootered.

 

 

Finding the Duck Pond

Your second option follows the same path between Post Haste Play Area and the heath. This time take the gate on the left.

 

 

 

This path will take you across the heath, over a boardwalk

 

 

 

 

to a duck pond

 

 

 

 

 

and carved picnic tables.

 

 

 

 

 

It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the duck pond at an adult pace.

The path is stony.

Nearest Town: Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU51 1GL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: There are buggy friendly paths. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Elvetham Heath community centre (GU51 1HA) but we try to park on the nearby St Swithins Road (GU51 1GL), between Stephyns Road and Turbary Road.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, squirrels, ducks, Canada geese, stag beetles, birds, lizards, sundews, grass snakes, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: June 2022