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.

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 Aldershot 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. 

Aldershot Park is on Section 2 of the Blackwater Valley Path. 

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: May 2024

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

Longleat’s Adventure Castle

The play area’s centrepiece is a huge wooden castle with ramparts, walkways, nets, and slides galore.

I am not going to list out all of its equipment because it had almost everything you can imagine for children of all ages.

There is also an indoor soft play area for small children.

The Splash Pad

The splash pad’s jets of water activate when you press discs in the floor – some sprayed up, some sprayed down, some formed tunnels to run around. 

Nearest Town: Warminster
County: Wiltshire
Nearest Postcode: BA12 7NW

Adult Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various – please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 3

Opens: Daily during the summer but with seasonal closures.

Where to Eat: There are various cafes and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, snacks, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Zoo and safari park animals, including zebra, giraffes, camels, vultures, monkeys, an elephant, rhinos, deer, lions, tigers, cheetahs, wolves, insects, hippos, seals, gorillas, bats, anteaters, otters, meerkats and wallabies.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: January 2024

Our visit to Adventure Castle Play Area at Longleat, near Warminster, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Normandy Common Adventure Play Area

Large trees surround the play area, giving it a shady, peaceful feel. 

The play equipment includes:

• a slide
• various climbing frames
• swings
• toddler swings
• a swinging basket
• a seesaw

• a ground level trampoline
• a zip wire
• scramble nets
• a climbing wall
• balance beams.

Sports Facilities

There are also plenty of places to play sports:

• a table tennis table (bring your own bats!)
• a street snooker wall and court (a cross between football and snooker)
• tennis courts
• a football pitch
• a cricket ground.

Normandy Common

Normandy Common is a wooded area with an orchid meadow, pond, orchard, woods, various sports areas, and a small adventure play area.

There is a map in each of the car parks that shows you where everything is. The three main areas we visit are below but there are other little areas you can discover for yourself!

The Stream and Pond

The stream flows through the play area next to the car park on the main road. It can flow quite quickly in wet weather. Sometimes there are ducks on it. 

The pond is at the end of the stream in the woods on the other side of the road.

The Wispy Woods

We call the wooded area between the cricket pitch and the orchard the Wispy Woods because some of the enormous fir trees look feathered. It’s a smallish patch of mature woodland with a wild feel.

The Secret Orchard

The is a Traditional Orchard, a conservation area that is being preserved as a habitat for plants and animals. It is planted in grassland and managed in an organic way. 

Nearest Town: Normandy, near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None but there some picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There are two play area car parks on Hunts Hill Road. The first is on the corner with the main road (GU3 2DB). The other is further down Hunts Hill Road (GU3 2DB).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, insects, slow worms, snakes, lizards, stag beetles, glow worms, newts, frogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.

Information Written: April 2023
Information Checked: January 2024

Our visit to Normandy Common and Adventure Play Area in Normandy, near Guildford and Aldershot, 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.

Broomhall Recreation Ground Play Area

The play equipment is for children to the age of 14 years and includes:

• toddler swings 
• swings
• a sand pit
• mushrooms you can jump on
• flowers you can talk into
• a dragon to climb

• a helter-skelter slide with easy to climb steps
• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps, a ladder and a net
• another multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps and a frog-studded climbing wall
• a rope climbing frame
• a tyre climbing frame
• a trampoline
• a spinner

• a short obstacle course
• a roundabout
• a rocking horse
• springers
• a seesaw springer
• a water play area.

Sports Facilities

There is sports equipment around the field that includes:

• an obstacle course
• a basket swing
• a multi-gym with spinning and swinging equipment
• a basketball net
• football goals
• cricket nets. 

There are also tennis courts you can prebook by visiting the Sunningdale parish website.

The Woods and Stream

Along the edge of the field is a little stream and a footpath that leads over a bridge (or a log if you are feeling brave!) into a small wooded area. 

If you follow this path you will eventually come to Sunningdale High Street.

Refreshments

There is a small refreshments kiosk with a sheltered picnic area and various seating areas scattered around the grounds.

The Library

A container library visits ons one days during the week. 

Nearest Town: Sunningdale, near Ascot
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL5 0QS

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: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park by the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

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

Aldenham CP Adventure Play Area

This exciting adventure play area has wooden play equipment, including:

• climbing frames with nets and ropes
• a climbing wall 
• a zip wire 
• a slide with nets 
• basket swings
• mushrooms and animals 
• a tunnel

• sand play areas 
• puzzle boards 
• musical instruments 
• a water play area with a water pump 
• swings 
• a roundabout 
• seats

At the time of writing, you have to book to use the play area and there was a charge of £3. 

Some sessions are exclusively for children with special needs. 

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park itself is full of things to do, including orienteering and cycling trails 

mini golf and trampolines.

100 Aker Wood

It also has a magical recreation of 100 Aker Wood. 

Hidden along the trail are places like Winnie the Pooh’s house 

Eeyore’s Gloomy Place

and a bridge to play Poohsticks.

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On Aldenham Country Park Farm, a route leads you past farm animals, including cows, pigs, goats, donkeys and ducks.  

We even spotted Winnie the Pooh!

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: 1 hour at the play area, 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 Adventure Play Area in Elstree near Watford is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Pinewood Activities Adventure Play Area

The play equipment is divided between two areas, Pinewood Adventure and another, more traditional playground. 

The adventure play area has equipment including:

• toddler swings
• basket swings
• a small multiplay and slide for the very young
• a long rope swing
• a wooden climbing frame

• a rope climbing frame
• spinners
• a balance course with bridges, logs and ropes
• a tunnel
• a zip wire.

The Railway Play Area

The second play area has:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a small wooden train to walk along 
• a large play train with a tunnel and carriages 
• a play house
• a seesaw

• a long slide set into a hill
• a trampoline
• a climbing frame with a climbing wall, nets and monkey bars
• springers 
• picnic tables.

The Cafe

There is a cafe that serves refreshments and ice cream.

Pinewood Miniature Railway

Next to the play areas is the Pinewood (Wokingham) Miniature Railway.

It does not run everyday so please see their The Pinewood (Wokingham) Miniature Railway website for details of their open days.

Sports Areas 

On the other side of the car park is a field with a football pitch and a trim trail with six equipment stations (all aimed at those over 12 years).

Pond Dipping

Dickie’s Pond is also nearby and has a pond dipping platform.

Pond dipping equipment (nets, information sheets, a tray and magnifying glasses) can be borrowed from the cafe by leaving a deposit of £5. Near the pond is a woodland walk, with sculptures of woodland animals.

Nearest Town: Wokingham Without, near Crowthorne and Wokingham
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG40 3AQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe and a picnic area. 
Facilities: Cafe, shop, ice creams, toilets, picnic area.

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, birds, insects and pond life.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: July 2022

Our visit to the Pinewood Activities Centre in Wokingham Without, near Crowthorne and Wokingham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Key – Toddler Area

The enclosed toddler area is for the under 5s and has:

• a trampoline
• a small hill with log stumps to climb on
• a playhouse with a shop window, an abacus and games boards.

The Key – Senior Play Area

The senior play area’s equipment includes a:

• large wooden climbing frame with nets, poles and a climbing wall
• large slide with a slope instead of stairs
• a rope climbing frame
• a zip wire 
• seats for adults 
• picnic tables.

The Sports Equipment

There are also a skateboard ramp and a scooter track with road markings.  

Alongside are fields, a basketball hoop, tennis courts and a football pitch. 

Nearest Town: Elvetham Heath, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU51 1HA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the nearby pub. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, pub and supermarket next to the play area that sell drinks and snacks, toilets and accessible toilets in the supermarket.

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

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

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: June 2022

Our visit to The Key Play Area in Elvetham Heath, near Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Look Out Play Area

The play area is divided into three sections, each aimed at different ages and abilities.

Ship Play Trail

This is an Infant Play Trail for ages 3 to 6 years that has:

• a galleon with nets, a wheel and a slide
• a second, smaller boat
• springers
• a trampoline
• a train
• a wobbly, wooden hut
• toddler swings
• wobbly bridges
• a climbing wall
• a balance course and
• wobbly balance boards.

Inclusive Area 

This fully inclusive area has:

• a wheelchair accessible roundabout 
• a swing 
• a cradle swing 
• an accessible slide 
• musical instruments 
• fun house mirrors
• a basket swing.

The Fort 

This is a Junior Play Trail for ages 7 to 11 years that has:

• swings
• climbing walls
• wobbly bridges
• ladders
• balancing logs
• hanging rings and
• a rope climbing frame.

Kiosk and Picnic Area

Next to the play area are lots of picnic tables and a kiosk that sells refreshments.

Swinley Forest

The play area is next to the Swinley Forest, with cycle routes and various trails.

The Look Out also has a permanent orienteering course and you can buy a map from the reception desk in the Discovery Centre for £1.

The Look Out Discovery Centre

Inside The Look Out Discovery Centre are over 90 activities including a huge marble run, a building site, an indoor stream, a reaction testing game and a range of hands-on science experiments, including a hot air balloon to launch and a globe that floats in mid-air. 

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 7QW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables and a cafe.
Facilities: A shop, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a large car park but this gets very busy.
Cost of Parking: From £2 for the first four hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: January 2022

Our visit to the adventure play area at The Look Out Discovery Centre Play Area in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Tongham Recreation Ground

Part of the play area has equipment for children to the age of 8 years that includes:

• a slide with easy to climb stairs 
• an obstacle course with nets, ropes, and logs 
• toddler swings 
• a springer
• puzzle boards.

Another part has play equipment for older children that includes:

• a spinner 
• a trampoline 
• a basket swing 
• four spinning swings
• a multiplay for older children with a slide, climbing walls, and monkey bars. 

Nearest Town: Tongham, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1DU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

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

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2021

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

The Playbarn

This is the indoor soft play area and it’s dominated by a three storey play frame with hidden areas, nooks and crannies, bridges, ropes and slides, as well as a ball pit with cannons and air jets. Hidden underneath is a football area and an interactive games mat. 

At the centre of the play frame is a huge three lane, wavy slide. It’s fast, fun and furious and adults can join in too – exhilarating stuff!

In the back corner is a small area for children under 4 years that has a slide, rocking animals and a sensory area with bubbling tubes. 

Around the outside of the play frame are tables for adults and a cafe where you can buy drinks, snacks and food.

The Mini Farm

The farm area is small but there are plenty of animals to see and feed, including alpacas, chickens and pigs.

If your children like collecting stamps then be sure to pick up an Animal Passport at the Information Desk before you go outside.

The Outdoor Play Areas

There are lots of activities to explore outside:

role play construction and digging

play with sand and water pumps

a farm-themed play area  

drive on sheep 

a fairy tale play area with swings and several slides

panning for gold

pedal bikes and cars.

There are also trampoline-style jumping pillows, a musical instrument area, remote controlled boats, coin operated rides, a wooden obstacle course, a very short safari train ride, a cow to pretend milk, a reptile house and a fairy door trail that leads around the lake. 

As you can probably imagine, Jake’s Playworld can be extremely busy during the holidays, especially on rainy days, but is much quieter during term time. The condition of the equipment varies from new to a little tired. 

Nearest Town: Sandhurst, near Crowthorne
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 8JQ

Adult Cost Range: £1 to £9.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £14.99
Free if: Under 1 and just visiting the farm.

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: Cafe and an outdoor picnic area. 
Facilities: Cafe, shop, ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Large car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Alpacas, sheep, ducks, geese, goats, pigs, ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chickens, peacocks and lizards. 

Information Written: March 2020

Our visit to Jake’s Playworld, Indoor Playbarn and Mini Farm in Sandhurst, near Crowthorne, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Oareborough Play Area 

It has equipment that includes:

• swings
• a toddler swing
• a tractor springer
• a double twist
• a seesaw
• spinning swings
• a castle multiplay with a drawbridge, tunnel, a tower, slide and easy to climb steps
• a trampoline
• seats
• a large, fallen oak tree.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 9LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None

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

Parking: Parking spaces for one or two cars.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, ducks and water birds.

Information Written: June 2017

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

Hedgehog Park Play Area

The playground equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a multiplay unit with a slide and easy to climb stairs
• a frog-studded climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a hedgehog-shaped slide that you can climb underneath

• a roundabout
• a trampoline
• a seesaw
• springers
• a huge slide set into a hill.

There is also a basketball court, skateboarding area and shelter.  

The play area is surrounded by mature trees and next to a large pond with ducks, a bridge and a fountain.

South Hill Park

We regularly visit South Hill Park, to play, feed the ducks, and trip trap over the boardwalk.

The Other Play Areas

A visit to Hedgehog Park can easily be combined with exploring the grounds of South Hill Park, as well as the other play areas – South Hill Park Toddlers’ Play Area,

and South Hill Road Play Area.  

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 7PA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, cafe, snacks, ice cream, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, squirrels and herons.

Information Written: November 2016

Our visit to Hedgehog Park at South Hill Park in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.