The Sands Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• a hedgehog springer
• a frog springer 
• a seesaw
• swings
• toddler swings

• a spinner
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a double slide with a wooden ladder, a fireman’s pole and a climbing wall
• a wooden obstacle course 
• seats for adults.

Next to the play area is a big playing field with football goals and a basketball net.

Finding the Play Area

There is a small path to the play area next to The Sands Room (GU10 1LL).  

Nearest Town: The Sands, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1LL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

Parking: You can park on the road by The Sands Room, which is signposted and next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: June 2025

Our visit to The Sands Recreation Ground and Play Area in The Sands, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hankley Common

Hankley Common has beautiful views and some of the finest heathland in Southern England, all criss-crossed by a network of paths. 

We have stumbled across lizards, onto film sets and down steep, sandy hills. 

The Atlantic Wall

Hidden in the trees near Upper Car Park is the Atlantic Wall, which was built by Canadian soldiers in 1943. 

This was used to train soldiers to overcome the German defences they might face in northern France. 

Dragon’s Teeth

Scattered through the nearby trees are pyramid-shaped anti-tank obstacles, which were also used for training.   

James Bond

Hankley Common was one of the locations used for James Bond’s childhood home in the film Skyfall.  

Thor’s Den

There is a nearby play area called Thor’s Den, which is on the edge of Thursley Common, just a short drive from Hankley Common.

 

Nearest Town:  Thursley, near Farnham
County:  Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LW

Opens:  Daily
Cost:  Free

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

How Long We Spent There:  2 hours
Buggies:  I wouldn’t bring a buggy here as there are sandy hills to navigate. 

Parking:  There are two car parks that can both be found from Thursley Road. The first is called Upper Car Park and can be found using post code GU8 6LW. It is at the top of a little side road that comes off Thursley Road on the double bend (opposite a sign that says “Hankley TRG Area DZ Huts”). The second is called Thursley Public Car Park, which can be found using post code GU10 2LQ and is towards The Sculpture Park end of the road. 
Cost of Parking:  Free

Wildlife You Might See:  Birds, lizards, deer and insects.

Information Written:  November 2020
Information Checked:  May 2025

 

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

 

The Trails

Various trails criss-cross Alice Holt Forest. Some are easy access, others are wilder.  Some are flat, others have steep hills. They are all marked and there are free maps available.

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt Forest is one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog.  At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.  

You buy a map bursting with activities to try along the trail – drawings to colour, puzzles to ponder and woodland things to spot.  

Along the way you also come face to face with characters from the stories, including the Gruffalo, Stick Man and the Gruffalo’s child.

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Habitat Trail leads you past both adventure play areas 

and also hides huge play sculptures.

The Adventure Play Areas

Alice Holt has two adventure play areas.

Playwood Adventure Play Area is next to the cafe and has large wooden climbing frames, slides and swings.

Timberline Adventure Play Area is a five minute walk from Playwood and is a huge, circular obstacle course with wooden climbing frames, slides, bridges and nets. 

Other Activities

Alice Holt also has an Activity Centre and Shop that offers cycle hire 

table tennis 

volleyball 

and badminton.

There is also orienteering 

Go Ape 

and lots of picnic spots to try.

The Cafe 

This is located next to the main entrance and Visitor Centre.  You can its picnic tables to eat food you have bought there or brought from home. 

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and the Alice Holt Adventure Play Areas in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Playwood Adventure Play Area

Playwood is next to the cafe and has play equipment that includes:

• a large wooden climbing frame with a slide, tunnels, towers with easy to climb stairs, nets, a fireman’s pole and ladders 
• a smaller wooden climbing frame for younger children with a slide, a bridge, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden hut with a rope
• a wooden shipwreck climbing frame 
• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Timberline Adventure Play Area

Timberline Adventure Play Area is a five minute walk from Playwood and is a huge, circular obstacle course with slides, ropes and climbing frames.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is full of things to do – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, orienteering, adventure play areas and even story book characters like the Gruffalo…

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt is also one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog. At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.    

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Habitat Trail leads you past both adventure play areas and hides huge play sculptures.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: November 2022
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and Playwood Adventure Play Area in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Timberline Adventure Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• wooden climbing frames
• two slides
• a fireman’s pole 
• nets  
• ropes 
• wobbly bridges 
• climbing walls 
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Playwood Adventure Play Area

Playwood Adventure Play Area is the second of Alice Holt’s play areas and is next to the cafe. It is about a five minute walk from Timberline Play Area.

It has play equipment that includes:

• a large wooden climbing frame with a slide, tunnels, towers with easy to climb stairs, nets, a fireman’s pole and ladders 
• a smaller wooden climbing frame for younger children with a slide, a bridge, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden hut with a rope
• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is full of things to do – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, orienteering, adventure play areas and even story book characters like the Gruffalo…

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt Forest is one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog. At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.    

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Play Trail leads you past both adventure play areas and hides huge play sculptures.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: November 2022
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and Timberline Adventure Play Area in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Thursley Common Fire

At the end of May 2020, a fire tore through the boardwalk area of Thursley Common. Lots of trees and vegetation were lost and so was the boardwalk, with its Dragonfly Trail. 

This is a picture of Moat Pond before the fire.

This is a picture of Moat Pond after the fire.

Happily, the Dragonfly Trail has been rebuilt!

Moat Pond

We start our visits at Moat Pond, with its pine scent and marauding ducks.

In the autumn it is surrounded by fungus – we spotted 50 different types last autumn! (I’m sure it goes without saying but we never touch fungus, we just look at it). 

The Dragonfly Trail

This leads you along the boardwalk and over the peat bogs. 

Along the way you can spot lots of insects and lizards 

and also sundews.

The Trails

When we want a short visit we walk around Moat Pond and watch the wildlife from one of the many little beach-like areas. 

If we are after a longer walk, we venture along one of the marked trails. 

The Wildlife

Thursley Common teems with nature and you can almost always see something wonderful.

From spring to autumn, you can see animals on every visit, including animals such as dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, and spiders. 

On one visit there were thousands of tiny toads hopping across the paths in every direction. 

The Lizards

The lizards are easiest to see when warming themselves on the boardwalk during sunny days. 

Can You Spot the Lizards?

To ready your eyes for lizard spotting, have a look at the photo of a log below. There are three lizards hiding on it – how many can you spot?

Answers highlighted below!

Two are hiding here:

And another here:

Thor’s Den

There is nearby a play area called Thor’s Den on the edge of Thursley Common. You can walk there from Moat Pond but it is quite far so you may prefer to drive (GU8 6QD).

Nearest Town: Thursley, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: Up to 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly – we use an all terrain buggy as some areas are sandy and there are roots along some of the paths. 

Parking: There are lots of places to park along the road and a few car parks. We use the Moat Pond car park (GU8 6LW) as it is closest to Moat Pond. 
Cost of Parking: Free but a donation using a parking app is suggested.

Wildlife You Might See: Toads, frogs, wood ants, dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, spiders, grasshoppers and ducks.

Information Written: July 2019
Information Checked: October 2024

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

Thor’s Den Play Area

The equipment includes:

• toddler swings (with short ropes)
• a very small slide for young children with musical chimes and cogs
• a larger slide and multiplay with bridges and an abacus
• two deer springers
• a seesaw

• a basket swing
• a roundabout
• a zip wire
• a picnic table
• seats for adults.

Note that the larger slide is best suited to older children – it does not have easy to climb stairs and has a high, wobbly bridge.

Thursley Common

Thursley Common is a breathtaking National Nature Reserve with a wonderful, fresh atmosphere and a range of habitats, including areas of peat bogs

and ponds.

It has carnivorous plants

boardwalks

and dragons (lizards or dragonflies – take your pick!)

Nearest Town: Thursley, near Milford and Hindhead
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6QD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Insects and birds.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: October 2024

Our visit to Thor’s Den or Thursley Play Area in Thursley, near Milford and Hindhead, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hollowdene Recreation Ground

The play equipment is for use by children under the age of 14 years and 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 very 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

Our visit to Hollowdene Recreation Ground and Play Area in Frensham, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Jubilee Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a tractor to play on
• a wooden house with a slide, climbing wall, fireman’s pole and ladder
• a zip wire
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a spinning, rope climbing frame
• a balance course and
• a picnic table.

Next to the play area is a small football pitch with a two goals.

Nearest Town: Tilford, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 2AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are parking spaces next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

Our visit to the Jubilee Play Area in Tilford, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Warning: Steep and Uneven Paths!

…but it is not an easy walk and involves steep hills.

This walk isn’t for everyone and should not be chosen without careful thought. 

The Walk to Combe Bottom 

Trying to locate the quarry myself was the really exciting part, and actually took me two visits. 

But for anyone without the luxury of time, here are the directions. 

From West Hanger Car Park there are two ways to walk down the hill to Combe Bottom but be warned, the hill is very steep – it’s not called West Hanger for nothing…

Route 1:  Along the Road

Walk out of the car park to the road. Turn right onto Staple Lane and then right again onto Combe Lane. 

Follow Combe Lane down the hill, around a sharp bend to the right and you will come to this sign on the left. 

Please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too. 

Route 2:  Straight Down West Hanger

Leave the car park by the path on the left and walk into the woods. 

After a short walk through the woods, you meet a trail running to your right. 

Be careful – the trail is very steep and uneven 

and the path may be used by mountain bikers. 

Near the bottom of the hill you will see the road. 

This is Combe Lane and it runs along the bottom of the hill. 

Cross the road and walk a short way to the left, until you see the Combe Bottom sign on your right. 

Again, please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too. 

Finding the Holloway

From the Combe Bottom sign, follow the wild path for five to ten minutes, under trees, 

through brambles patches

and into a holloway. 

If it isn’t too overgrown, you might be able to spot the pillbox on your right. 

The route to the quarry is near the end of the holloway, up the steep bank on your left. 

If you reach this sign and the end of the holloway, you have gone too far. 

To the Quarry!

You should now be standing on top of the steep bank with the holloway behind you. You will notice a second holloway in front of you, which seems to run parallel to the first. 

Believe it or not, this is the path to the quarry!

Follow this to the left until you come to a fallen tree blocking the way. This is the entrance to the lowest part of the quarry. 

A Neolithic Quarry

The only information I can find about this quarry is that it dates back to the Stone Age, or Neolithic period, and was used to quarry flint. 

Today it is a huge, bowl-shaped hole in the hillside with steep sides. 

Flint Tools

As you walk back up to West Hanger car park, and pause for the odd rest or two, keep an eye out for flints lying around or amongst the roots of trees. 

You may spot a flint tool!

Have a look at the Wessex Archaeology website for details of the types of flint to look out for. 

Combe Bottom

Combe Bottom is part of the enchanting Shere Woodlands and sits at the bottom of West Hanger hill.

There is not much to see unless you would like to find the quarry. 

Nearest Town: Shere, near Guildford, Surrey Hills
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU5 9TE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or use one of the picnic tables. There is also a mobile cafe that visits (please see their website for details). 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Definitely not! 

Parking: West Hanger Car Park.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: August 2023

Our visit to the Neolithic flint quarry in West Hanger and Combe Bottom in Shere Woodlands near Guildford and in the Surrey Hills is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Shere Woodlands

The woods have a wild and enchanted feel.

Pools of water collect amongst the beech tree roots

hidden pathways lead you to secret dens

and the trees seem alive. 

This is a special spot for us and we often come here to tell fairy tales about the creatures who might live here. 

The View

If you follow a path through the woods, you eventually come to a bench that looks out over the hills. It is a wonderful spot to watch the sunset.

Combe Bottom

You can also walk down the hill to Combe Bottom 

a Stone Age quarry and a World War 2 pillbox…but be warned, this isn’t called West Hanger for nothing.

The paths down are very steep 

and uneven.

From West Hanger Car Park

From the car park there are two paths into the woods. 

The path on the left goes into the woods and is flat but bumpy, although I had no problems with an all terrain buggy. 

The path on the right is the North Downs Way and is wider and smoother, although it was still rutted and muddy in places.

Both paths join up just before the view point, if you stay on the top of the hill.

Nearest Town: Shere, near Guildford, Surrey Hills
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU5 9TE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or use one of the picnic tables. There is also a mobile cafe that visits (see the website for details). 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: We used a buggy on the paths on top of the hill but the paths down the hill are much too steep. 

Parking: West Hanger car park
Cost of Parking: Free.

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

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to West Hanger and Combe Bottom in Shere Woodlands near Guildford and in the Surrey Hills is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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 along,

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

Our visit to Broadwater Park and Play Area in Godalming is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Combe Road Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a fun house style mirror.

Finding the Play Area

The play area is accessed by this grassy path, which is on Combe Road.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 3SL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: You can park on the roads next to the play area on Combe Road.
Cost of Parking: Free 

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Combe Road Recreation Ground and Play Area in Godalming is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

St Martha’s Hill and Colyers Hanger

Accessible only on foot, St Martha’s Hill has been a place of worship since Norman times and its beautiful views makes it easy to see why.  

At the very top is St Martha-on-the-Hill church.

The Paths

The paths to the top of the hill are sandy, steep and uneven in places. It took us about 20 minutes to reach the top at a child’s pace. 

The Other Trails

There are other trails shown on the information board and in the car park, one of which is easy access. 

Nearest Town: Chilworth, near Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8PZ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: About two hours.
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring one as there are uneven paths and sandy slopes, which can be steep. 

Parking: There are two car parks, one at Halfpenny Lane (GU4 8PZ) and another on Guildford Lane (GU5 9BQ).
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: July 2022

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

Longbourne Green Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a multiplay and slide with a bridge, net and climbing wall 
• a roundabout
• swings
• toddler swings 
• talk tubes
• seats.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 3RG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: You can park next to the play area on Barnes Road.
Cost of Parking: Free 

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Longbourne Green Play Area in Godalming is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Phillips Memorial Park Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a multiplay and slide with nets and easy to climb stairs 
• a wooden climbing frame with a net
• an obstacle course 
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a little wooden slide for smaller children 
• a boat
• a spinning cup
• seats.

The play area is in a large field with a meadow, pond and a riverside walk. 

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 1HR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in one of the local cafes, pubs or restaurants.
Facilities: Picnic table, toilets, accessible toilets, snacks, ice cream.

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

Parking: Crown Court Car Park is next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: From £1.10 per hour. 

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to The Phillips Memorial Park and Play Area in Godalming is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Shalford Park

Shalford Park itself is a large open area with lots of football pitches and some toilets. 

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill has been a sacred site for thousands of years.

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. 

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey runs along Shalford Park. 

St Catherine’s Lock

If you cross the river and turn left, you can walk to St Catherine’s Lock.   

Finding the River and 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 and St Catherine’s Hill. 

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8AA 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: Car park.
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 Shalford Park in Guildford (not including walking to St Catherine’s Hill and St Catherine’s Lock) 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.

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

Our visit to Waggoners Wells in Headley Down is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Kestrel Corner Play Area

Kestrel Corner Play Area is a wooden play area that is an easy ten minute walk from the house. 

It has equipment including:

• a wooden multiplay with a slide and musical instruments 
• a climbing frame
• an obstacle course with stumps, logs and a wobbly bridge
• toddler swings 
• swings 
• a basket swing
• a tunnel and 
• seats.

The House and Lawn

The house is picture perfect.

It has views over the surrounding hills, which you can enjoy from deckchairs. 

Natural Play Areas

Scattered along the trails are natural play areas to enjoy with stumps, logs, dens

and also a bird hide.

Nearest Town: Great Bookham, near Dorking
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RH5 6BD

Adult Cost Range: From £15
Child Cost Range: From £8
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Opens: Daily (with some winter closures)

Where to Eat: There is a cafe, food vendors and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, a shop, picnic areas toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: £4 or free with National Trust membership

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, bees, insects and birds.

Information Written: April 2023

Our visit to Polesden Lacey and Kestrel Corner Play Area in Great Bookham, near Dorking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.