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 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.

Petersfield Heath Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a tyre swing 
• a rocking horse 
• a slide built into the hill 
• a roundabout 

• springers 
• a multiplay with a slide and binoculars 
• a sunken pirate ship sand pit 
• a tunnel
• a wooden climbing frame obstacle course with a slide and climbing wall.

Next to the play area are picnic tables 

and The Plump Duck cafe.

Petersfield Heath

This is ancient heathland with a large pond 

boat hire 

and a circular trail. 

Nearest Town: Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU31 4LB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at The Plump Duck cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, 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: Lizards, insects, ducks, swans, geese, kingfishers and other birds.

Information Written: July 2022

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

Fun at the Beach…

The pond has several sandy beaches where you can have fun wading, paddling and splashing. You can also pond dip, build sand castles and feed the ducks. 

The biggest beaches are on the car park side of the pond but there are a few smaller beaches in other parts too. 

…but No Swimming

Swimming is not allowed at Frensham Little Pond to protect the pond habitat, but you can swim at the nearby Frensham Great Pond. 

The Tern Cafe

The Tern Cafe is next to the pond and only a short walk from the car park. It offers snacks, drinks and ice creams and has picnic tables, some under cover. 

Bird Hide

What will you spy from the bird hide?

The Walks

Although this is called Frensham Little Pond, it is not small – it took us about an hour to walk all the way around. There are benches and a boardwalk along the way. 

There is also a Frensham Little Pond Family Trail you can follow around the pond. 

The Paths

Most of the paths were easy to push a normal buggy across. Some do have tree roots. There are sandy stretches onto Frensham Common that are tougher.

Frensham Common

Frensham Little Pond is part of Frensham Common, an area of open and airy heathland with woods and beautiful viewpoints.

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3BT

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Tern Cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: You can push a buggy around the pond but choose one that can cope with sand and roots. 

Parking: There are several car parks but they can be very busy when the weather is warm.
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Lots of birds, including ducks, swans, coots, moorhens and squirrels.

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: November 2023

Our visit to Frensham Little Pond near Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Frensham Great Pond

Swimming is permitted from one of the two sandy beaches at Frensham Great Pond. 

Frensham Little Pond

Frensham Little Pond is the smaller and more wild of the two ponds. It is a peaceful, picturesque and pine-scented place to explore. 

The Cafes

There is a cafe at each of the nearby ponds that sell snacks, drinks and ice creams.

The Paths

The paths around Frensham Common vary. Some are easy to walk on, others are deep sand;

some are on steep hills and others are flat. 

Where to Start?

The easiest way to access Frensham Common is to either start at one of the two ponds or to use the little lay-by next to St Mary’s School in Frensham (GU10 3DS).

From here you can head into the woods and up onto Frensham Common. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the spot where you can see both ponds. 

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 3DS (the lay-by), GU10 2QB (Frensham Great Pond), GU10 3BT (Frensham Little Pond).

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at one of the cafes at Frensham Little Pond or Frensham Great Pond. 
Facilities: There are cafes, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets at each of the ponds. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: I wouldn’t bring a buggy – some of the paths are deep sand and there are some steep hills. 

Parking: There are a few spaces at the lay-by mentioned above and large car parks at both ponds (see above for the post codes) but they can be very busy when the weather is warm.
Cost of Parking: The lay-by is free. Parking at either of the ponds is free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Lots of birds, including ducks, swans, coots, moorhens, squirrels and sand lizards.

Information Written: May 2022
Information Checked: November 2023

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

The Two Beaches

You can paddle and swim from either beach within the area marked with buoys and ropes. Neither has much shade so you may want to bring some with you. 

Both of the beaches are near the car park, cafe and toilets. 

The first beach you come to is the larger of the two. 

The second beach is a little further from the car park and is smaller but often less busy.

Sometimes the pond has to be closed to bathers so be sure to check the Frensham Great Pond website before you go to make sure swimming is allowed.

The Cafe

There is a cafe next to the beach and car park that sells snacks, drinks and ice creams and has picnic tables. 

There are also public toilets in this building.

Frensham Little Pond

Frensham Little Pond is about a five minute drive. It offers more shady spots but swimming is not permitted there.

Frensham Common

Both ponds are part of Frensham Common, an area of heathland with beautiful views, heather and lots of paths to explore. 

Nearest Town: Frensham, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 2QB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: It is sandy so it can be hard work to push a buggy to the beach. 

Parking: There is a large car park but it can be very busy when the weather is warm – the website suggests arriving before 10am.
Cost of Parking: Free for National Trust members or from £1.50 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks.

Information Written: May 2022
Information Checked: November 2023

Our visit to Frensham Great Pond near Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

 

Exploring Virginia Water

There are several areas of Virginia Water to explore:

Virginia Water

The picture perfect main lake area, which has Leptis Magna ruins, a waterfall, the totem pole and places to buy food, drinks and ice cream. 

The Valley Gardens

250 acres of free to enter gardens, carefully planted with flowering plants from across the world.

The Savill Garden

The Savill Garden is a smaller area of paid for gardens that often have child-friendly events. 

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Adventure Play is an exciting adventure play area with a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

Please note: Adventure Play has an entry fee and pre-booked time slots.

The Obelisk Lawn Play Area

If you walk past the totem pole towards The Savill Garden, you will find the free entry Obelisk Lawn Play Area. For us, this was a 10 to 15 minute scoot.

Obelisk Lawn Play Area has a sunken ship and equipment for children aged 2 to 9 years old. 

Cafes

There are several cafes scattered around all areas of Virginia Water where you can buy drinks, coffee, snacks and ice cream.

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.

Scooters and Bikes

Scooters and bikes are welcome around Virginia Water but only on certain paths – the permitted cycle routes. These do not include the paths from the main car park to the totem pole, waterfall or Leptis Magna ruins.

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 and you can also find one on the Windsor Great Park website.

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

Our visit to Virginia Water Lake and the Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Holmbury Hill Fort

The Hill Fort was built at some time between about 100 BC and 100 AD during the Iron Age. It had ramparts with ditches of up to 4m deep and 9m wide! 

We couldn’t see much of the Hill Fort but when the bracken has died back in the winter, you can see the walls better. 

The Hurtwood 

Holmbury Hill is located in The Hurtwood, which is over 2,000 acres of privately owned common land in the Surrey Hills. 

There is plenty to explore, whether by foot or bike – we counted 14 car parks, 3 viewpoints and 2 forts!

The Paths

The main paths around The Hurtwood are broad and easy to walk on but this is a hilly area. Some of the side paths are rougher and have steep slopes – this area is used by off-road cyclists. 

The path to the top of Holmbury Hill is easy to walk on with one steeper slope just before the viewpoint.

Nearest Town: Peaslake, near Dorking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: RH5 6NU will get you close. Follow Radnor Road (away from Peaslake) for about a mile and Hurtwood Car Park 1 is on your left. 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: You could take an all terrain buggy to the top of the hill.

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: September 2023

Our visit to Holmbury Hill in The Hurtwood in the Surrey Hills, near Dorking, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rushmere Country Park

Rushmere CP is somewhere to head out into nature and explore.  

It is covered with sculptures, play spaces

trees and dens 

and is criss-crossed with footpaths, 

cycle routes and bridleways.

The Fairy Trail

The fairies hide along the short Access for all footpath, which has smooth, easy to walk along paths. 

We spotted a fairy dinner party

 fairy doors

sculptures 

and a reading chair for a giant.

Woodpecker Trail

Following the longer Woodpecker Trail (which is bumpier with a steep hill you go up and down) leads you deeper into the park, 

down a hill

past Stockgrove Lake 

and several play spaces.

The Play Areas

There are seven play spaces scattered across the park.

This includes a play area for younger children (those under the age of 6) and has equipment that includes a playhouse, roundabout, giant snails and a sand pit with a static digger machine. 

Also scattered along the trails are other pieces if play equipment, like a wobbly bridge and balancing stumps. 

Treetops Cafe

Treetops Cafe perches high on the hillside with beautiful views over a lake where herons breed.

Along the viewing balcony are tables and also binoculars you can use to look at the herons and their nests. 

The Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail

We visited Rushmere Country Park after trying the Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail. 

Nearest Town: Heath and Reach, near Leighton-Linslade
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 0EB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: The Access for all path is buggy friendly. The paths along the other trails vary, although I did see people with buggies on each one. 

Parking: Large car parks.
Cost of Parking: Various – please check their website for details.

Wildlife You Might See: Adders, insects, common lizards, herons and other birds.

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

Our visit to Rushmere Country Park in Leighton-Linslade is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Preface: Story Trails

A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin discovered Ashdown Forest together. 

We decided to follow in their footsteps and create our own Winnie-the-Pooh story trail. 

We used a walking route we found online (full details below) and our copies of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner .

Introduction: “We’re All Going On An Expotition…”

Like Winnie-the-Pooh, we called our expedition an ‘Expotition’.

We chose three areas of Ashdown Forest to visit: 

• Pooh Corner, Hartfield village (to set the scene at the Poohseum and to pick up maps so my children could ‘plan’ the Expotition over lunch)
• Pooh Bridge car park (as the first chapter of Winnie-the-Pooh starts at Pooh’s house, which is next to Pooh Bridge)
• Gills Lap car park.

Chapter 1: Pooh Corner 

Our Expotition began with lunch at Pooh Corner, a tea room and museum dedicated to all things Winnie-the-Pooh, which helped to set the scene for our story trail. 

We also had a good look at the map in the front of the books, which you also can see here on the EH Shephard website.  

The Pooh Corner staff are lovely and happy to give advice on places to visit in Ashdown Forest with maps.

Chapter 2: Pooh Bridge 

Pooh’s House 

Winnie-the-Pooh’s tree stump house is very near to Pooh Bridge.  

To find it, walk to the bridge from Pooh Bridge car park, cross the river and Pooh’s house is a very short walk away on the left of the path.  

When you find it, don’t forget to knock and “Rnig Also” to see if anyone is home!

Pooh Bridge 

This picturesque spot is where Pooh invents the game of Poohsticks.  

The bridge jumps straight out of the pages of the books, having been rebuilt in 1979 to match Shepard’s illustrations. 

Piglet’s House

You can find Piglet’s tiny house in the woods to the left of the main path (when walking back to Pooh Bridge car park).

Owl’s House

Owl’s high up house is there for the finding too.

Chapter 3: Gills Lap 

Note: We followed the walking route linked to below but in reverse because I wanted our trail to end at the Enchanted Place, the location for the last line of the books.  

These places and the route are shown on the map linked to below. 

Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place (map marker 6)

We didn’t walk all the way to Eeyore’s Gloomy Place – it’s a long way and the name didn’t exactly sell it as a destination!  

Instead, we walked a little way past the stream and gazed across at the Gloomy Place before heading back to the stream and Quarry car park. 

The North Pole (map marker 5)

A little stream runs through this part of the forest and is believed to be the spot where Roo falls into a pool of water and Pooh finds the North Pole.   

Roo’s Sandy Pit (map marker next to the Quarry car park)

This former quarry is now overgrown and is where Pooh and his friends trick Kanga into leaving with Piglet instead of Roo.

The Milne and Shepard Memorial (map marker 3)

The memorial plaque commemorating A.A. Milne and E.H. Shephard has a stunning location

with places to sit and have a picnic or rest tired legs whilst marvelling at the view.

The Heffalump Trap (map marker top left)

If you are brave enough, you can build your own Heffalump trap in this Very Deep Pit dug by Piglet. 

But be careful, Christopher Robin spotted Heffalumps just lumping along in this part of the forest…

The Enchanted Place (map marker 2)

Our final stop, the Enchanted Place, is mentioned in the last line of The House at Pooh Corner, which makes me cry every time: 

“…in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”

Notes: Planning Your Expotition

Maps and Leaflets

The Pooh Corner staff give advice on which places to visit in Ashdown Forest and also have a little expotition map for children. 

I also printed this map and guide I found on another website called Pooh Walks from Gills Lap.

The Paths

The conditions along the paths varies – some parts are uneven and steep and others are flatter and easier.  

I have easily taken an all terrain buggy to Pooh Bridge from the Pooh Bridge car park but would opt for a sling when exploring the area around Gills Lap car park.

Nearest Town: Hartfield, Ashdown Forest, near East Grinstead
County: East Sussex
Nearest Postcode: TN7 4AE, TN7 4EX and TN7 4EN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

Where to Eat: Eat at Pooh Corner Tea Rooms or bring a picnic and eat in Ashdown Forest.
Facilities: None but there is a cafe offering snacks and ice cream at the Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX). 

How Long We Spent There: Full day
Buggies: You can take an all terrain buggy to Pooh Bridge.  The ground is uneven around Gills Lap. 

Parking: You can park at Pooh Corner (TN7 4AE), Pooh Bridge car park (TN7 4EX) and Gills Lap car park (TN7 4EN). 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, deer, ponies, birds, butterflies, other insects, snakes and mammals.

Information Written: September 2022

Our visit to the many enchanted places of Ashdown Forest in Hartfield, near East Grinstead, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Hogmoor Inclosure Play Area

This has a mixture of natural play equipment and adventure play equipment that includes:

• a large tube slide with a covered rope bridge and long ladders that are broken into sections by wooden platforms
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• tree stump obstacle courses
• stones to climb on
• a sandy area with sand play equipment 
• a wide slide with a ladder 
• a spinning disc 
• spinning cups 
• three tyre swings 
• a small castle tower with a ladder 
• a swinging basket 
• swings
• a zip wire.

We could not find any toddler swings.

In the play area there is also a little pond that children paddle in.

The Cafe

Cafe Hogmoor is next to the play area and the car park and sells snacks and refreshments. 

The Bee Hive

Between the Hogmoor Cafe and the car park is a little building called the Bee Hive. Next to it are:

• musical instruments 
• a scavenger hunt
• a brass rubbing area. 

The Trails

There are a few marked trails to try that lead you past different features, including gates, activity boards and the Sentinels. 

Nearest Town: Bordon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 9HN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Cafe Hogmoor. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 9HN). It can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: October 2021
Information Checked: April 2023

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

The Sentinels

The Sentinels are wooden sculptures and there are a few along each of the marked trails. Their locations are shown on the maps by the car park, which you can photo before you set off.

The Trails

There are a few marked trails to try that lead you past different features, including gates, activity boards and the Sentinels. 

The paths are sandy and lower than the surrounding trees. There are lots of little hills for you to run up and explore in parallel to the paths.

The Cafe

Cafe Hogmoor is next to the play area and the car park and sells snacks and refreshments. 

The Bee Hive

Between the Hogmoor Cafe and the car park is a little building called the Bee Hive. Next to it are:

• musical instruments 
• a scavenger hunt
• a brass rubbing area. 

The Hogmoor Inclosure Play Area

The Hogmoor Inclosure Natural Play Area has a mixture of natural play equipment and adventure play equipment that includes:

• a large tube slide with a covered rope bridge and long ladders that are broken into sections by wooden platforms
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• tree stump obstacle courses
• stones to climb on
• a sandy area with sand play equipment 
• a wide slide with a ladder 
• a spinning disc 
• spinning cups 
• three tyre swings 
• a small castle tower with a ladder 
• a swinging basket 
• swings
• a zip wire.

We could not find any toddler swings.

In the play area there is also a little pond that children paddle in.

Nearest Town: Bordon
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 9HN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the Cafe Hogmoor. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice cream, picnic area, toilets, and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Some paths are uneven and others are sandy. 

Parking: There is a car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 9HN). It can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: October 2021
Information Checked: April 2023

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

Puttles Bridge

Next to the car park is a bridge you can paddle and picnic at.

The Ober Water Trail

Alternatively try the waymarked and circular walk called the Ober Water Trail that starts and finishes at the car park.

The 1 mile route is aimed at families and takes you through the trees,

along the Ober Water

and over bridges.

Nearest Town: Brockenhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7QB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the river but this can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, butterflies and other insects, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Puttles Bridge, near Brockenhurst in the New Forest, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

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: Elvetham Heath, near 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

Our visit to Elvetham Heath Nature Reserve 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 Savill Gardens 

The Savill Garden highlights change as the year goes on so check the Savill Garden website to plan your visit. 

The gardens were wonderfully wintry when we visited. We saw ducks skating on frozen ponds, hidden gardens glazed in frost and a snowman in the glasshouse.

The Trails

The Savill Garden often has themed trails. Our favourite so far has been the Gingerbread Trail. 

We bought a trail guide for £2.50 and wandered through frozen gardens searching for twelve colourful and festively named gingerbread men and women.

Where to Eat

You can either eat in the Savill Garden Kitchen or the cafe at the Obelisk, which is about a five minute walk Obelisk Lawn Play Area. There are also picnic tables there. 

Walking in Virginia Water

The Savill Garden is next to the Valley Gardens, Virginia Water Lake and the Totem Pole.  We scooted to the Totem Pole in about 15 minutes. 

Obelisk Lawn Play Area

Obelisk Lawn Play Area is a couple of minutes walk from the Savill Garden.  It is a wooden play area with a shipwreck theme and all things nautical – ships, rigging, sand and a crow’s nest.

Adventure Play at The Savill Garden

Adventure Play is an exciting adventure play area with a collection of wooden huts, tree houses and tube slides connected by bridges, climbing tunnels, nets and ladders.  

Please note: Adventure Play has a separate entry fee and pre-booked time slots.

Nearest Town: Virginia Water and Englefield Green
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0UJ

Opens: Various times throughout the year – please check their website. 

Adult Cost Range: Various from £7.95 
Child Cost Range: Various from £3.50 
Free if: Under 5 years old

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the many places to buy food – The Savill Garden Kitchen or a mobile cafe by the Obelisk Lawn Play Area.
Facilities: Cafes, picnic areas, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Large car park but this can be very busy.  
Cost of Parking: From £3 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects, lots and lots of ducks and other water birds.

Information Written: December 2016
Information Checked: June 2022

Our visit to the Savill Garden in Virginia Water is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Millyford Bridge Inclosure

From the car park there is a main path that follows the Highland Water to a wooden gate.

Beyond this gate is a network of paths to explore. 

The Highland Water continues to the left. 

On the right is woodland and some other streams. 

A Portuguese Fireplace

Depending on which way you drive to Millyford Bridge, you may notice a fireplace standing all alone in the middle of nowhere. This known as the Portuguese Fireplace and it is the last remnant of a camp established by the Portuguese army during World War 1 to assist in the production of timber. 

Finding the Car Park

The closest post code I could find to Millyford Bridge is SO43 7GQ, which takes you to the car park for Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. From here, follow the road to Lyndhurst and the Millyford Bridge car park is on your left. 

As the post code is close but not exact, please be sure to have a look at map before you go. 

Nearest Town: Near Lyndhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO43 7GQ – but please see note above on finding the car park.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

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

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, insects, butterflies, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: June 2022

Our visit to Millyford Bridge in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Ash Common Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old and includes:

• a train called the Ash Express 
• a mouse springer 
• a rope climbing frame
• a seesaw
• swings

• toddler swings
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a slide, a ladder, monkey bars and a climbing wall 
• a smaller multiplay with board games, easy to climb steps and a little slide
• rubber logs to jump on
• seats.

The Sports Equipment

Next to the play area (up the hill) is a playing field with a basketball net, a football goal and a wooded area.

On the hill next to the play area is a skate park, tennis courts and a basketball net and a kick wall. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal flows along the back of Wharf Road (the main road through the shops).  There are often ducks, swans and geese here. 

To find the canal you have to walk along Ash Hill Road towards Ash shops. Cross Wharf Road and then the canal is in front of you.  Be careful as these roads are often busy.

The Ash Ranges

This is a large heathland nature reserve where you could be lucky enough to spot lizards, snakes, slow worms, birds and insects. In late summer it is carpeted in purple heather. 

Please note: The ranges are used by the MOD and cannot be visited when red flags are flying, the red beacons are lit or the access gates are locked.  Please see the Ash Ranges website for full details. 

One of the entrances to the Ash Ranges is next to the tennis courts.  

Nearest Town: Ash, near Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU12 5DN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe on nearby Wharf Road. 
Facilities: None

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

Parking: There are two car parks at GU12 5DN – one is next to the Recreation Ground and the other is a little further up Ash Hill Road and next to the skate park and tennis courts.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2022

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

Pond Dipping and Paddling

This bridge is a picturesque spot to splash around the river, try your luck at pond dipping,

tackle some log bridges or stop and have a picnic. 

Finding the Bridge

To find the bridge, follow the stony path from the car park, which will lead you past heathland, into the woods and then to the bridge.  

The walk takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.

Finding Ober Corner Car Park

To find the Ober Corner car park, use SO42 7QD and follow the road all the way to the end. 

You will pass Beechern Wood Car Park and Aldridge Hill camp site on the way. 

Deep Water 

Note that the brook by the car park is shallow in some places but deep in others and there are warning signs.  

Nearest Town: Brockenhurst, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO42 7QD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle stony paths.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the river but this can be very busy. 
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Ponies, fish, butterflies and other insects, rabbits and birds.

Information Written: May 2022

Our visit to Ober Corner near Brockenhurst in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

At the Top

The views from the top of Crooksbury Hill are spectacular. On a clear day you can see across the Surrey Hills, including Butser Hill, Gibbet Hill and Selbourne Common. 

The Woods

The woods on the top of the hill are shady and peaceful, with huge logs to climb on and den building opportunities. 

Soldier’s Ring Hill Fort

Soldier’s Ring is a small hill fort that may date from the Bronze or Iron Age. It is now a large, flat area of woodland surrounded by walls made from earth. 

To find Soldier’s Ring from the view point on the top of Crooksbury Hill, follow the path behind the trig point. This leads you down the other side of the hill and into the woods.

The entrance to Soldier’s Ring is about halfway down this path and is marked by this gate.

From here you can see the walls surrounding the hill fort.

The Paths

There are three paths that lead up Crooksbury Hill, none of these are gentle or buggy friendly.  

I found the path on the left of the Botany Hill car park to be the least strenuous. 

Walking up the hill along any of these paths takes 5 to 10 minutes but factor in a little extra time for little ones. 

The Path From Crooksbury Hill Car Park

This path goes straight up the hill.  It starts by the information board in the picnic area, is very steep and has steps of various heights all the way up.  

The Paths From Botany Hill Car Park

There are two paths from this little car park that both lead through the woods to the view point.  Neither of these have stairs but they are both steep and uneven in places.  

The path on the right of the car park takes you along the base of Soldier’s Ring and then up to the Crooksbury Hill view point.  

The path on the left takes you up through Soldier’s Ring and then to the top of Crooksbury Hill. 

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1RF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Picnic area at Crooskbury Hill car park. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: All paths up Crooksbury Hill are steep so I wouldn’t recommend a buggy. 

Parking: Crooksbury Hill car park is on Crooksbury Road (GU10 1RF) and a much smaller, unmarked car park on Botany Hill (GU10 1LY).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Slow worms, lizards, birds, butterflies, wood ants and other insects.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: May 2022

Our visit to Crooksbury Hill and Soldier’s Ring in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Which Route Will You Take?

When you finally manage to tear yourself away, you need to decide which direction to walk in. 

We decided to explore the rim but, if you are feeling adventurous (and don’t have a buggy with you), you can brave the path down into the punch bowl. 

Around The Rim

A walk along the rim has something for everyone to discover along the way – harrowing history for the adults, bug hunting and den building for the children and the chance to wonder at the way nature is reclaiming the old A3.  

The Unknown Sailor  

We started by taking the path up to Gibbet Hill, which is the second highest point in Surrey, and boasts stunning views across the Weald and towards London.

On this walk you come across the Sailor’s Stone, which remembers the  Unknown Sailor, an unnamed man who was murdered here in 1786 by three men he befriended whilst walking to Portsmouth.

Up Gibbet Hill

The path then leads on to Gibbet Hill, where a granite cross marks the spot that the three muderers were hung in chains. It’s a gruesome story that you can either choose to read about on the information boards or ignore.

The walk to Gibbet Hill is not particularly taxing and the views from the top are wonderful.

Along the Old A3

We then walked down to the rim of the Devil’s Punch Bowl and followed the old route of the A3. Until the Hindhead Tunnel opened in 2011, this was the main road between London and Portsmouth. It had three lanes and ran around the Devil’s Punch Bowl.

Looking at it now, it is hard to believe this was ever anything but a beauty spot. It’s nothing short of spectacular.

Down Into the Punch Bowl

There are also paths down into the Punch Bowl. They are steep and uneven in places but take you through some beautiful woodland. 

Go Wild

There are plenty of places around the Devil’s Punch Bowl to stop for a picnic, hunt for mini-beasts, make dens or just stop and admire the views.

Nearest Town: Hindhead
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU26 6AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free 

Where to Eat: Cafe and picnic areas.
Facilities: Shop, ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets but note that the toilets are only open when the cafe is.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours 
Buggies: The main paths around the rim of the punchbowl are generally buggy friendly. The paths down into the Punch Bowl are not – they are steep and uneven in places.

Parking: There is a large pay and display car park. It can become very busy during the weekends and holidays.
Cost of Parking: £4 or free with National Trust membership.

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, ponies, butterflies, insects and birds.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: October 2021

Our visit to The Devil’s Punchbowl in Hindhead is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.