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.

Manor Fruit Farm Play Area

The play equipment is solely for the use of young children and includes:

• a slide
• a swing
• a toddler swing
• scramble nets
• a climbing obstacle

• balance beams
• tightropes
• rope swings
• suspended log walkways 
• seats.

The Trim Trail

Next to the car park are two fields. One has a trim trail for adults. 

A Small Stream

On the other side of this field is a gate. If you go through it and turn right, it is a short walk to a little bridge where you can play Poohsticks.

Normandy Common

It is just a short walk or drive to the nearby Normandy Common and Play Area.

Nearest Town: Normandy, Near Guildford and Aldershot
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 2DT

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: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: None

Wildlife You Might See: Insects.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: May 2023

Our visit to Manor Fruit Farm Play Area in Normandy, near Aldershot and Guildford, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Assault Course

Suitable for those over 1.4m tall only, the assault course has 12 obstacles and a 250m run. 

Each obstacle has an instruction board

to guide you as you go up

under

over 

and through! 

From the Visitor Centre, the assault course is either a 5 minute drive or a 15 minute walk uphill.

Juniper Adventure Play Trail

Next to the assault course is a smaller obstacle course, which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Adventure Play Area:

• a wooden multi-play with a tunnel slide, cargo net, ladder and bridge
• two log cabin climbing frames
• an obstacle course with ropes, logs, bridges, and cargo nets
• a zip wire 
• picnic tables.

A Pizza Oven!

There is also a brick pizza oven you can hire next to the assault course and adventure play area!

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Queen Elizabeth Country Park has lots of activities to try, including walking, cycling and mountain biking trails, orienteering trails and nature areas.

It has a Visitor Centre, shop, cafe and a kiosk. 

Butser Hill

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is at the bottom of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve. 

Butser Hill is is one of the highest points in Hampshire with beautiful views towards the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. It is also an ideal spot for kite flying.

Nearest Town: Horndean, near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO8 0QE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or pizza oven, bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, a kiosk at the adventure play trail, shop, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

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

Parking: There are several different car parks to choose from. 
Cost of Parking: From £2 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, butterflies, ducks, geese and birds.

Information Written: February 2023

Our visit to Queen Elizabeth Country Park Assault Course and Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Horndean is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Juniper Adventure Play Trail

This adventure play area has:

• a wooden multi-play with a tunnel slide, cargo net, ladder and bridge
• two log cabin climbing frames
• an obstacle course with ropes, logs, bridges, and cargo nets
• a zip wire and 
• picnic tables.

From the Visitor Centre, the play trail is either a 5 minute drive or a 15 minute walk uphill.

Assault Course

Suitable for those over 1.4m tall only, the assault course is hidden in the woods to the right of the adventure play trail and has 12 obstacles and a 250m run.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Queen Elizabeth Country Park has lots of activities to try, including walking, cycling and mountain biking trails, orienteering trails and nature areas.

It has a Visitor Centre, shop, cafe and a kiosk. 

There is even a brick pizza oven you can hire next to the adventure play area!

 Butser Hill

Queen Elizabeth Country Park is at the bottom of Butser Hill National Nature Reserve. 

Butser Hill is is one of the highest points in Hampshire with beautiful views towards the Isle of Wight and the South Downs. It is also an ideal spot for kite flying.

Dragon of Butser Hill

There is a Hampshire County Council Story Trail called”The Dragon of Butser Hill” that tells you a story about knights, damsels, giants and dragons as it winds around the hilltop.

Nearest Town: Horndean, Near Petersfield
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO8 0QE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or pizza oven, bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, a kiosk at the adventure play trail, shop, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

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

Parking: There are several different car parks to choose from. 
Cost of Parking: From £2 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, butterflies, ducks, geese and birds.

Information Written: July 2016
Information Checked: February 2023

Our visit to Queen Elizabeth Country Park and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Adventure Play Area in Horndean, near Petersfield, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Your Mission…

Can you creep through the tunnel without waking the fox and badger, who have both fallen asleep on guard duty?

What’s the best way to run the gauntlet and escape the clutches of the giant jumping spider?

How quickly can you scale the eagle’s tower?

Is it possible to defend the swamp fortress at each of its many entry points?

Farnham Park Adventure Play Area

Little ones will probably need some help with the equipment, which is for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• slides
• a seesaw
• a zip wire
• a tunnel in the hillside

• a spider and web to climb on
• a fort with rope bridges, climbing walls, ladders and nets
• an obstacle course
• a wobbly bridge
• a trim trail with bars, ropes and beams
• a picnic table
• seats.

A Surprise Second Play Area

Farnham Park also has another play area called Farnham Park St James Play Area, which is a more traditional play area aimed at younger children. 

It is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the adventure play area.

Farnham Park Itself

Farnham Park is a 320 acre medieval deer park with a rural feel.

It’s a beautiful spot to go for a walk across rolling fields, through wooded areas and over hills with views.

We found plenty of places to play hide and seek, find secret dens and hunt for mini-beasts.

Paddling and Ponds

There are also some small streams you can paddle in and some wild ponds.

You can find a map of Farnham Park on the local council’s website.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 0AU

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables and a cafe. 
Facilities: Toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. The main paths are well surfaced and there are smaller paths over the grassy fields.

Parking: There are two car parks both of which are on Folly Hill – the main car park is near Farnham Castle (GU9 0AU) and the second, smaller car park is called Farnham Park Rangers Car Park and is a little further up Folly Hill (with Farnham and Farnham Castle behind you) and on the right. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

Our visit to the Farnham Park and the Farnham Park 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.

Moors Valley Country Park Adventure Area

There are two play areas next to the Visitor Centre, which are divided into the Adventure Area, which is for older children, and the Castle and Sandworks area, which is for younger children.

The Adventure Play Area

This has:

• a large slide with a climbing wall
• a climbing wall
• a climbing boulder
• a zip wire

• a basket swing
• a large rope climbing frame
• a huge wooden fortress with a long tube slide, tunnels and rope bridges
• rope swings.

The Castle and Sandworks

The equipment here includes:

• a multi-play with a slide and easy to climb steps
• another slide
• a large multi-play shaped like a house with a slide, fireman’s pole, climbing wall and ropes to climb on
• toddler swings made of ropes
• a wooden train

• mechanical diggers you can operate
• wooden animals 
• an obstacle course
• springers
• spinners
• sand construction areas with buckets, chutes and pulleys.

The Play Trail

The fantastical Play Trail at Moors Valley Country Park guides you through the woods to a Tree Top Trail

and 9 hidden play areas, including the Enchanted Forest, Snake Pit and Hawk House.

The Miniature Railway

The Moors Valley Railway rumbles through the park (with seasonal opening hours). This is a miniature railway that connects Lakeside and Kingsmere stations.

Everything Else!

Moors Valley is packed full of adventures – trails to try, trees to climb and games to play. 

Nearest Town: Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: BH24 2ET

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the Visitor Centre cafe.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic areas.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. Note that this is not wide enough for a buggy but there is a path that allows you to skip past it.

Parking: Large car park but it is very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: Various charges, from between £1.80 per hour.  Please see their website for full details.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, birds and insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: October 2022

Our visit to Moors Valley Country Park and the Moors Valley Country Park Adventure Play Areas in Ringwood is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Moors Valley Country Park Play Trail

The Play Trail is a route that guides you through the woods to 9 hidden play areas and the Tree Top Trail.

You can explore a Giant Wood Ants’ Nest

wander the Enchanted Woods

make music at the House of Baba Yaga

crawl through the Snake Pit

brave the Bewlidernest

fly through the Hawk House

soar along the Tree Top Trail

sneak past the Spiders

pick your way through the infested waters of Crocodile Crossing

and scramble up Timber.

The Paths

The Play Trail is about a mile long and took us about 2 hours to complete with a lot of stopping and playing. 

The paths are clearly marked and I did not have any problems pushing an all-terrain buggy.

The Miniature Railway

The Moors Valley Railway rumbles through the park (with seasonal opening hours). This is a miniature railway that connects Lakeside and Kingsmere stations.

Everything Else!

There are other marked trails to try – fitness trails, walking trails, cycling trails, audio trails and even a Hawk Walk, which is a walk through the forest with free flying hawks (this needs to be booked in advance)!

Also on offer is Go Ape Tree Top and Segway Adventures,

an orienteering course, a golf course with Footgolf and a family activity area with pitch and putt and equipment hire. 

Where to Eat?

There is a cafe and two picnic areas – one next to the lake and railway and another between the Visitor Centre and the forest.

The latter has life-size sculptures of the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s child.

The Moors Valley Play Areas

The fantastic play areas are divided into the Adventure Area, for older children, and the Castle and Sandworks area, for younger children.

The Adventure Area

The Adventure Area has:

• a large slide with a climbing wall
• a climbing wall
• a climbing boulder
• a zip wire
• a basket swing
• a large rope climbing frame
• a huge wooden fortress with a long tube slide, tunnels and rope bridges
• rope swings.

The Castle and Sandworks

The Castle and Sandworks has equipment including:

• a multi-play with a slide and easy to climb steps
• another slide
• a large multi-play shaped like a house with a slide, fireman’s pole, climbing wall and ropes to climb on
• toddler swings made of ropes
• a wooden train

• mechanical diggers you can operate
• wooden animals 
• an obstacle course
• springers
• spinners
• sand construction areas with buckets, chutes and pulleys.

Nearest Town: Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: BH24 2ET

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the Visitor Centre cafe.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic areas.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. Note that this is not wide enough for a buggy but there is a path that allows you to skip past it.

Parking: Large car park but it is very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: Various charges, from £2 per hour.  Please see their website for full details.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, birds and insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: October 2022

Our visit to Moors Valley Country Park and the Moors Valley Country Park Adventure Play Areas in Ringwood is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Moors Valley Railway Lakeside Station

Moors Valley Railway begins near the Visitors Centre and car park.

You steam off from Lakeside Station

and chuff along the tracks.

The Lake

The train rumbles on

and past a beautiful wildlife lake with lots of ducks and a picnic area that you can visit after your train ride.

The Moors Valley Adventure Play Area

It also loops around the large Moors Valley Adventure Play Area

and goes underneath it through a tunnel. 

Kingsmere Station

The train journey ends at Kingsmere station,

which has an engine shed, goods yard and carriage shed to explore as well as a model and gift shop. 

Moors Valley Country Park

The railway is located in Moors Valley Country Park, an outstanding combination of play areas and woodland.

It has an enchanting play trail

woodland to explore

and the brilliant Moors Valley Adventure Play Area that you steam past on your railway journey.

Nearest Town: Ringwood
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: BH24 2ET

Adult Cost Range: £1 to £9.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £9.99
Free if: None

Opens: Various times throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Where to Eat: Try the onsite cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour exploring the railway and stations and the rest of the day at the Country Park.
Buggies: You can’t take buggies on the train. Moors Valley Country Park is buggy-friendly. 

Parking: Large car park but it is very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: Various charges, from £2 per hour.  Please see their website for full details.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, birds and insects.

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: October 2022

Our visit to Moors Valley Railway at Moors Valley Country Park in Ringwood is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Holloway Hill Play Area

The play equipment is aimed at children to the age of 14 and includes:

• a seesaw
• a huge obstacle course with climbing, monkey bars, balance beams and nets
• swings 
• toddler swings

• climbing nets
• a slide from a wooden house 
• a lighthouse with a fireman’s pole
• lots of bridges, including wobbly bridges and rope bridges and 
• seats for adults.

The Holloway Hill Trim Trail

When I last visited there was a trim trail under construction, which looked like it would be in the same natural style as the play area.

The Holloway Hill Multi-Use Games Area

There was also a multi-use games area, cricket wicket and outfield, football pitches 

tennis courts 

and a basketball court.

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

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 small car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: July 2022

Our visit to Holloway Hill 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.

The Ships

One ship is a multiplay with sides to climb up, nets to tackle and a hold to hide in. 

The other is afloat on a sea of sand with buckets, pulleys and chutes to operate and hidden fossils to discover.

The Play Equipment

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

• a boat multiplay with a slide and nets
• a second multiplay for younger children with a slide
• swings
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing
• a wooden climbing frame with nets
• a spinner
• a sand play area with a boat, buckets and chutes.

The Sports Facilities

There is also a trim trail, a five-a-side football pitch and a skate park.

Nearest Town: Godalming
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU7 2LG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: No car park but we parked on the road by the park’s entrance. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2017
Information Checked: July 2022

Our visit to Aarons Hill Play Area in Godalming 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.

Pinewood Miniature Railway

The steam engines come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own style and character. My favourite was Moosejaw with its snow guard, golden bell and unusually shaped chimney. 

Unsurprisingly, my children loved the one that looked like a tiny Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Track

During your ride you weave through the trees, past multi-coloured fairy doors, signals, engine sheds, a water tower and a mini viaduct.

It Can Be Busy!

The railway can be extremely busy so try not to leave your visit to the end of the day.

Pinewood Activities Centre

There is also plenty to do before and after your rides as the railway is at Pinewood Activities Centre, which has two play areas,

pond dipping, woodland walks, a miniature railway, a cafe, a trim trail, sports field as well as various clubs and societies. 

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

Adult Cost Range: £1 to £4.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £4.99
Free if: Under 3 years.

Opens: Various times throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic. 
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: April 2018
Information Checked: July 2022

Our visit to the Pinewood (Wokingham) Miniature Railway 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.

Frimley Lodge Woodland Play Area

This quiet little play area hides in the woods and has equipment for children under the age of 10 years: 

• a multiplay with a slide, fireman’s pole, nets, and a climbing wall
• two springers
• toddler swings.

Frimley Lodge Adventure Play Area

The much larger Frimley Lodge Adventure Play Area is about a five minute walk away.

Sports Facilities

In the woods by the Woodland Play Area is a trim trail.

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway

The Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway weaves its way through the woods. The railway has public running days throughout the year. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal runs along the top of the playing fields. It has ducks to feed and a towpath you can walk along.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: Daily

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

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

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy. There is a car park next to the Woodland Play Area. To find it from the entrance, drive as far right as you can. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

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

Frimley Lodge Park Adventure Play Area

This area has newly installed adventure play equipment, including: 

• a large castle with easy to climb stairs, three slides, climbing nets, and a little treasure chest
• another castle slide with a net bridge, fireman’s pole, a climbing net, easy to climb stairs, and another little treasure chest
• a seesaw springer 
• animal springers 
• a double zip wire 

• a little house
• swings 
• a basket swing
• toddler swings
• a roundabout
• spinners
• puzzle boards 
• a sandpit
• a little running track with challenges
• seats.

The Hidden Woodland Play Area

This quiet little play area is tucked away in the woods and has equipment for children under the age of 10 years: 

• a multiplay with a slide, fireman’s pole, nets, and a climbing wall
• two springers
• toddler swings.

Sports Facilities

Frimley Lodge Park has a trim trail, Parkrun course and a cricket pitch

football pitches and a pitch and putt golf course. 

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway

The Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway weaves its way through the woods. The railway has public running days throughout the year. 

The Basingstoke Canal

The beautiful Basingstoke Canal runs along the top of the playing fields. It has ducks to feed and a towpath you can walk along.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

If you turn right when you come to the Basingstoke Canal you can walk to the Basingstoke Canal Visitors’ Centre. This takes about 20 minutes.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: Daily

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

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

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

Our visit to Frimley Lodge Park and the Frimley Lodge Park Adventure Play Areas in Frimley are summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Route

Each train journey lasts about six minutes. 

The trains rumble through the woods

over crossings

past signals

and under bridges.

It is lots of fun and made possible by the enthusiasm of the railway volunteers. All the money they raise goes towards railway maintenance and local charities.

Frimley Lodge Park

The miniature railway is in Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, a trim trail, lots of sports facilities, and a pitch and putt golf course. 

The Basingstoke Canal

Next to the railway is the Basingstoke Canal, which has ducks to feed and is a lovely place for a walk.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

You can also park at the Basingstoke Canal Centre and walk to Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway along the Basingstoke Canal. It takes about 20 minutes.

Nearest Town: Frimley
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6HY

Opens: There are various public running days throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Adult Cost Range: £0 to £4.99
Child Cost Range: £0 to £4.99
Free if: Under 3

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe in Frimley Lodge Park.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets. 

How Long We Spent There: 30 minutes at the railway and another couple of hours in Frimley Lodge Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are lots of parking spaces but it can become very busy on public running days.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: April 2016
Information Checked: May 2021

Our visit to Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway at Frimley Lodge Park in Frimley is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Pirate Ship Play Area

To the right of the car park is a pirate ship in a sand pit, complete with a pulley and chute system, an anchor, and a ship’s wheel. There are also:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a long slide with easy to climb steps
• a wooden climbing frame
• a log balance course
• a spinning disc
• a tyre swing
• a rope climbing frame
• spinning swings
• child-sized picnic tables.

The Second Play Area

A short walk to the left of the car park, is a second play area with equipment that includes:

• a multiplay with ropes, a small climbing wall and easy to climb steps
• springers
• a seesaw
• a spinning disc
• a basket swing 
• a rope climbing frame 
• a climbing wall
• a DJ controller where you can mix music 
• a sensory garden.

Mill Pond

Next to the Pirate Play Area is a small area of woodland, a pond you can walk around, and ducks to feed. 

Sports Facilities

There is also a range of sports facilities, including:

• a Blue Bac Ball, which is a game where you compete against another player

• multi-use games area with a basketball net and football goal

• an Olympic Legacy wall that you can take a time trial challenge on. This wall is an obstacle course with things like a climbing wall, monkey bars, and a trapeze

• a skate park.

The Cafe

By the pond is a cafe that serves drinks, snacks and ice creams. McDonalds is also next door.

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. There is also a cafe and a McDonalds next to the play area. 
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the pirate ship play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

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

Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: October 2020

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

Ancells Farm Park Play Area

This adventure play area has lots of challenging equipment for older children, including:

• a zip wire 
• a multiplay with a slide, ropes, a bridge and easy to climb steps
• a wooden climbing frame with ropes
• a spinning climbing frame
• an obstacle course

• a trim trail
• a large slide with a climbing wall and ropes
• swings 
• a basket swing
• a spinning disc.

The Play Area for Younger Children

The smaller, enclosed play area is for children to the age of 6 years and includes:

• toddler swings
• a donkey springer
• a dinosaur springer
• a spinning disc
• a 4-way springer
• a multiplay with a bridge, activity boards and a slide with easy to climb stairs
• seats.

The Sports Field

Next to the play area is a large sports field with a basketball net, both an 11-a-side and a 9-a-side football pitch, a covered seating area, picnic tables and climbing rocks. 

Nearest Town: Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU51 2XF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe, a pub, shops or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, shops, cafe, picnic area. 

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Lizards, birds, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: August 2019

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

Great Hollands Play Area

The play area equipment includes:

• toddler swings
• swings
• tractor springers
• noughts and crosses
• a multi-play with a slide and some chain netting
• a slide built into a hill
• a rope climbing frame
• spinners
• a train with a tunnel.

Around the edge of the field is a trim trail with various pieces of equipment like bars and rings.

The Paddling Pool

The paddling pool looked shallow and inviting when we arrived but unfortunately it had not yet opened for the day (it currently opens from 10am until 6pm).

Paddling Pool Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the paddling pool – only children up to and including 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm. The sign also says that children using the pool must be toilet trained. It did not say anything about children in swimming nappies.

Coffee Shop and Facilities

Next to it was a coffee shop that sells refreshments and has toilets. It opens during the weekends and school holidays.

Sports Facilities

There are lots of sports facilities including tennis courts (you can hire these at the cafe), table tennis, netball courts, cricket pitch, football pitches, a five-a-side football pitch, a kick about area, table tennis and multi-use ball courts. 

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG40 3EE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, ice creams, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017

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

Mill Chase Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• toddler swings
• a tyre swing
• a multiplay for younger children with a slide, ladder, nets and a little house
• a multiplay for older children with nets, ropes and ladders
• seats.

The field by the play area has a fitness trail with equipment such as a ladder, over and under hurdles and parallel bars. 

There is also a kick wall with a basketball hoop and a football goal.

Nearest Town: Whitehill, near Bordon and Liphook
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 0ER

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area with lots of spaces.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017

Our visit to Mill Chase Play Area in Whitehill, near Bordon and Liphook, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rotherwick Play Area

The playground equipment includes:

• a multiplay with a bridge, tunnel, nets and a slide
• a climbing wall
• a seesaw springer
• a toddler swing
• a swing

• a basket swing
• a wooden climbing frame
• a play house
• a play shop
• two talking flowers.

The field is a good size and is surrounded by mature trees and a trim trail.

Finding Rotherwick Play Area

Finding this playground is easy when you know how – just look for this brick gateway. The play area is a short drive through these gates on the right.

Nearest Town: Rotherwick, near Hook
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: RG27 9BF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: You can park by the play area. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2016

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