Stockbridge Common Marsh

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

A tributary of the River Test flows along one edge.

 

 

 

 

If you look carefully you may spot brown trout.

 

 

 

 

 

Paddling

Children can have a little paddle by the bridge

 

 

 

 

but they may not be alone!

 

 

 

 

 

Stockbridge Town

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Paths

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

 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2022

 

Waggoners Wells

On a walk around Waggoners Wells you will find three beautifully blue, man-made pools  

 

 

 

 

a waterfall

 

 

 

 

 

slopes to clamber up and slide down

 

 

 

 

 

tangles of tree roots to explore

 

 

 

 

 

and ducks, ducks, ducks!

 

 

 

 

 

You might also be lucky enough to spot some of the giant fish that live in the pools. 

 

 

 

 

The Wishing Well

The wishing well is at the lowest end of Waggoners Wells, a little beyond the last pool. 

A plaque on the wall commemorates the poem “Flower in a Crannied Wall” by Tennyson, which is believed to have been written here in 1863.

 

 

The wishing well is marked on the map board near the car park stairs. It is easy to find – follow the main path past the three pools and the wishing well is in the wall of the nearby house.

It took us about ten minutes to walk there. 

 

 

The Paths

The paths are generally flat

 

 

 

 

with some steps in places.  

 

 

Nearest Town: Headley Down, near Hindhead
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU26 6DT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours 
Buggies: The main paths are relatively flat and easy to walk on but there are steps in places. 

Parking: There is a car park, which you reach by driving through a ford!
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, fish and insects.

Information Written: June 2022

 

The Tea Rooms

The tea rooms have indoor and outdoor seating areas and serve a range of homemade foods that you can enjoy surrounded by memorabilia.

 

 

 

The Pooh’seum

Also inside is a museum dedicated to all things Winnie-the-Pooh, including information on A.A. Milne

 

 

 

 

signed books

 

 

 

 

 

and lots of photos.  

 

 

 

 

 

There are also plenty of toys on display!

 

 

 

 

 

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest is the magical heath and woodland that inspired A.A. Milne to write two books about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends.

 

 

 

The Pooh Corner staff gave us advice on where to visit and a little Expotition map for the children.

 

 

 

 

You can find the houses of Pooh, Piglet and Owl

 

 

 

 

 

play Poohsticks on the bridge

 

 

 

 

 

or walk to the real life locations for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. 

 

 

Hartfield Town Croft Playground

Near to Pooh Corner is the Poohscape Play Area, a small, sandy play area with equipment that includes swings, a slide, a climbing frame, a wooden train and picnic tables. 

Nearest Town: Hartfield, Ashdown Forest
County: East Sussex
Nearest Postcode: TN7 4AE

Opens: Daily
Cost: The Pooh’seum is free to enter. The tea rooms charge for food and drink orders.  

Where to Eat: Eat at Pooh Corner or bring a picnic and eat at the nearby play area.
Facilities: Tea rooms offering food, snacks, ice cream, a shop and toilets. 

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

Parking: No car park but there is free parking along the road outside. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: September 2022

 

Hurst Spit

Hurst Spit separates the sea and the Lymington River Estuary.  

 

 

 

 

To one side it has mudflats and salt marshes.  

 

 

 

 

To the other it has the sea and views to the Isle of Wight and the Needles. 

 

 

 

 

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

 

 

Walking to Hurst Castle

The walk to the castle is about two miles and is part of the Solent Way.

It is not the easiest of walks.  Sturdy footwear is recommended and it is hard going with a buggy.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

 

 

Sailing to Hurst Castle

If you would like to visit Hurst Castle but don’t fancy the walk or have little ones with you, then consider the Hurst Castle ferry.  

 

 

 

It is a beautiful 20 minute ferry ride through salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats. 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Castle

Hurst Castle is an artillery fort that was built in the 16th century by Henry VIII to protect the Solent, Southampton and Portsmouth.

 

 

 

It is one of the best preserved of Henry VIII’s castles and had an active military role until the mid-20th century.

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP takes you to Keyhaven Car Park and if you keep driving, Hurst Spit. 

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Hurst Spit is free but there are various costs for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Hurst Spit is free. Children under 5 years enter the castle for free.

Where to Eat: Eat at the Hurst Castle cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: January 2023

 

Hurst Castle

The castle is strategically placed at the end of Hurst Spit, halfway between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. It can only be reached by a little ferry or on foot. 

 

 

 

The castle is a coastal fort so it does not look like a traditional castle. It is low to the ground to make the smallest possible target for enemy ships,

 

 

 

and has thick walls to withstand bombardment.

 

 

 

 

Inside the walls is a labyrinth of passageways, stairs

 

 

 

 

and some enormous guns on display.

 

 

 

 

 

There are also some beautiful views from the ramparts.

 

 

 

 

 

The Ferry – Sailing to Hurst Castle

Our favourite part of the trip was the beautiful twenty minute ferry ride on a boat that takes you past salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats.

 

 

 

The ferries were running every 20 to 30 minutes when we visited. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurst Spit – Walking to Hurst Castle

You can walk to the castle along Hurst Spit, which is about a two mile walk along the sea. This walk is part of the Solent Way.

 

 

 

Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that juts into The Solent, linking Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It separates the sea from the Lymington River Estuary. 

 

 

 

As this walk takes you over shingle, sturdy footwear is recommended. It is hard going with a buggy.

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

 

 

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

 

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP

Opens: There are various opening times depending on the time of year. Please see the websites for details.

Adult Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Under 3 years for the ferry. Under 5 years for the castle.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly but you could bring a buggy if you were prepared to leave it somewhere as you explore the castle, which has lots of steps. I wouldn’t take a buggy onto Hurst Spit as it would be too hard to push. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: June 2020
Information Checked: July 2022

 

Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII

The story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is brought to life by costumed Tudor characters, panelled rooms,

 

 

 

 

banquet halls and even a potential candidate for Henry VIII’s bed chamber.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grounds

The grounds boast several formal gardens, statues,

 

 

 

 

 

 

waterfalls, a lake 

 

 

 

 

 

and bushes shaped like chess pieces and animals. 

 

 

 

 

The Ducks

There are also plenty of marauding ducks to feed.

 

 

 

 

The Two Mazes

There are two mazes to pit your wits against – a hedge maze and a water maze.

 

The Hedge Maze

The hedge maze is lots of fun and took us about ten minutes of wandering around to solve.

 

 

The Water Maze

The water maze is ingenious.

Your task is to reach the centre whilst dodging the jets of water that suddenly erupt when step on the wrong stone.

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

The fantastic Hever Castle Adventure Play Area centres around a castle called Tudor Towers.

It has tube slides, turrets, bridges and poles.

 

 

It also has a secret passage, maze and musical instruments.

 

 

 

 

The castle is surrounded by more play equipment, including slides, swings, tunnels and an obstacle course.

 

Nearest Town: Hever
County: Kent
Nearest Postcode: TN8 7NG

Adult Cost Range: Various 
Child Cost Range: Various
Free if: Under 5 years or entry to the gardens can be free with RHS membership at set times.

Opens: Daily from March to December.

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

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

Parking: The castle is a short walk from the car park, which has lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and swans.

Information Written: May 2016
Information Checked: September 2021

 

You can roughly divide the play area into three sections.

 

Tudor Towers

This is a large wooden castle built like a castle

 

 

 

 

with tube slides, poles, tunnels,

 

 

 

 

 

rope bridges, net tunnels, ladders and climbing walls.

 

 

 

 

Outside there is a well hiding a secret passage, which eventually emerges through a fireplace. 

 

 

 

 

The castle also has musical instruments, a maze, hidden passages and games. 

Tudor Towers is for those aged 5 to 14 years.

 

 

 

Acorn Dell – Natural Play Area

This sandy play area has:

• a wooden climbing frame
• tree trunks and climbing logs
• a tunnel
• stones to climb on
• a tree house with a tube slide and a wobbly bridge
• a willow tunnel
• and a musical instrument. 

 

 

The Wooden Play Area

This play area has:

• toddler swings (for under 5s)
• swings
• a castle slide with easy to climb steps
• knights’ horse springers
• a swinging basket
• wooden climbing frames with nets and ropes
• an obstacle course
• a zipwire.

Nearest Town: Hever
County: Kent
Nearest Postcode: TN8 7NG

Adult Cost Range: Various 
Child Cost Range: Various
Free if: Under 5 years or entry to the gardens can be free with RHS membership at set times.

Opens: Daily from March to December.

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

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

Parking: The castle is a short walk from the car park, which has lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and swans.

Information Written: May 2016
Information Checked: September 2021

 

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