Where to Go… to Follow a Hampshire Story Trail

Following a story trail adds a creative twist to a family walk. It’s also a great way to discover a new location.

Below are eight story trails compiled by Hampshire CC. These are walks with stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each story trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered story sections that you read out as you reach the markers along the trail.

Meet a Boggart on the Hawley Meadows Story Trail, Camberley

Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, Steep, Near Petersfield, Hampshire

The Hawley Meadows Story Trail is a series of short stories about wood nymphs, water nymphs and a cheeky boggart. It is called “The Story of the Nymphs and the Boggart“ and is another of Hampshire CC’s Story Trails.

Are you brave enough to step back in time to 1832 and help a salt farmer trap a sea monster? If so, The Story of Salterns, Sea Monsters and Saving the Day is the story trail* adventure for you!

Shoulder of Mutton Hill, Edward Thomas Stone, Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, Steep, Near Petersfield, Hampshire

“The Mystical Tale of Nevi-Wesh“ leads you along a story trail* through a small area of the New Forest, called Magpie Bottom, following in the footsteps of two children as they meet magical creatures – including bogarts, fairies, a goblin and a woodland troll – learn to cast a spell, discover Spider Island and defeat a witch.

Wheatham Hill in the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, Steep, Petersfield

The Queen Elizabeth Country Park Story Trail is called “The Dragon of Butser Hill“. The story follows the adventures of a knight, a dragon, a giant and a maiden who lived around Butser Hill in the year 845. Happily, it does not have a traditional fairy tale ending!

Mill Lane Waterfall, Steep Recreation Ground and Play Area, Steep, Near Petersfield

Royal Victoria Country Park has a story trail along which you follow Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time… with a little help from your children.

Great Binfield, The Giant of Basingstoke is a story trail that guides you on a quest to find Great Binfield, a giant who lives in a woodland castle guarded by giant birds, stag beetles and centipedes.

Along the way you must collect magical items, cast spells and dodge bramble traps whilst keeping an eye out for signs of the giant.

The Odiham Castle Story Trail is called “Henry The Forgetful”. This is a funny story about Henry, a pilgrim making his way from Winchester to Canterbury. He has a couple of mishaps along the way that made my children laugh out loud.

We visited Fleet Pond to try out a story trail called “The Princess, the Pike and the Pond”.

Fleet Pond was picture perfect when we visited – the sun was bright, the pond was frozen, and ducks were skating on it!

Let’s have an adventure…

Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.