Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Splash Pad

This refreshing paddling pool is for children to the age of 11 years. 

The water is very shallow in most places and deepest in the centre by the cone,

where it came to my mid-calves.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds

The splash pad is right on the banks of the River Thames, in Runnymede Pleasure Grounds.

It has an expansive field

and huge car park

with a cafe.

Boat Trips 

Various boat trips are available up and down the River Thames.

You can also walk along the Thames Path.

The Runnymede Memorials

The water-meadows of Runnymede are where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215. 

There are a number of interesting memorials to discover in the meadows and woodland.

You can read about our visit to the Runnymede memorials here.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area

The Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area equipment includes:

• swings 
• toddler swings
• a climbing multiplay for older children
• a multiplay for younger children 

• a roundabout
• a springer seesaw
• a traditional seesaw
• seats.

Nearest Town: Old Windsor, Egham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0AE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets, cafe, ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Runnymede Pleasure Grounds is buggy friendly but the walk to the Runnymede Memorials is trickier and takes you over grass and uneven paths.

Parking: There is a large car park. There is another National Trust car park at the other end of the meadows.
Cost of Parking: Pay and display. The National Trust car park is free for members.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, and butterflies.

Information Written: May 2021
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Runnymede Pleasure Grounds and the Splash Pad in Egham, near Chertsey and Windsor, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds

Situated on the banks of the Thames, Runnymede Pleasure Grounds offers easy access to the River Thames.

It has an expansive field

and huge car park.

At one end there is a statue of Elizabeth II

and at the other, a cafe and little seasonal go karts.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Splash Pad

This refreshing paddling pool is for children to the age of 11 years. 

The water is very shallow in most places and deepest in the centre by the cone, where it came to my mid-calves.

Boat Trips 

Various boat trips are available up and down the River Thames.

You can also walk along the Thames Path.

The Runnymede Memorials

The water-meadows of Runnymede are where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215. 

There are a number of interesting memorials to discover in the meadows and woodland.

The Paths

To reach the memorials you have to cross a meadow. 

There are steps up to the JFK Memorial and the view point.

The path along the River Thames is bumpy and uneven in places and can be muddy.

You can read about our visit to the Runnymede memorials here.

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area

The Runnymede Pleasure Grounds Play Area equipment includes:

• swings 
• toddler swings
• a climbing multiplay for older children
• a multiplay for younger children 

• a roundabout
• a springer seesaw
• a traditional seesaw
• seats.

Nearest Town: Old Windsor, Egham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: TW20 0AE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets, cafe, ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Runnymede Pleasure Grounds is buggy friendly but the walk to the Runnymede Memorials is trickier and takes you over grass and uneven paths.

Parking: There is a large car park. There is another National Trust car park at the other end of the meadows.
Cost of Parking: Pay and display. The National Trust car park is free for members.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, geese, and butterflies.

Information Written: May 2021
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Runnymede Pleasure Grounds in Egham, near Chertsey and Windsor, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Basingstoke Canal Centre Play Area

Next to the Canal Centre is a wooden play area with:

• toddler swings
• a springer
• a balance course with nets, tightropes, log stumps, a climbing wall, balance beams and rope swings.

So Much To Do!

There is a wide range of activities on offer: hire boats and canoes, walk to Frimley Lodge, play in the fields, enjoy the towpath,

take narrow boat trips, explore woods and ponds, choose a picnic spot or check out the playground.

The Basingstoke Canal Centre

The Canal Centre has information on the canal, a gift shop, a campsite, and public toilets. 

There is also a cafe that serves a selection of refreshments, has indoor tables, and outdoor picnic benches.

Potters’ Pond

Behind the Canal Centre is a pond dipping area 

and a wild woodland 

with paths, ponds, and bridges.

The Towpath

I use an all-terrain buggy when we walk on the towpath. It is generally even but there are quite a few stones, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy. 

We also enjoy cycling along the towpath down to Frimley Lodge Park 

or further afield to see the giant locks that line the Deepcut Flight. 

Explore the Canal on Foot

The Basingstoke Canal has about 33 miles of towpath. 

From the Canal Centre you can walk for about 20 minutes at a slow pace to the well-equipped Frimley Lodge Park, which has two play areas, a trim trail, sports facilities, and a cafe. 

It also has the Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway, which has public running days at various times during the year. 

Explore the Canal by Water

You can also take a trip on Rosebud, a small narrow boat. Trips last about an hour but only run on a limited number of days. 

At certain times of the year rowing boats, canoes and pedalos are available to hire from the Canal Centre too.

The Swing Bridge Closes…

The swing bridge at the Canal Centre closes towards the end of the afternoon. The exact time is usually stated on a sign on the bridge. 

After it closes, you can reach the Canal Centre by crossing the canal at the nearby road bridge, although there is a flight of steps to climb up.

…and so Does the Barrier!

There is a barrier at the entrance to the car park that closes at the end of the day. You cannot enter the car park after it has closed but you can leave – just drive up to the barrier and it will lift. 

Nearest Town: Mytchett, near Farnborough
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU16 6DD

Opens: The canal is open daily but the Canal Centre has seasonal opening hours. Please see their website for details. 

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

How Long We Spent There: About 2 hours.
Buggies: I use an all terrain buggy as the tow path is generally even but has quite a few stones on it, which can be bumpy with a normal buggy.

Parking: There are two car parks, one just through the entry barrier and another tucked away past the Canal Centre. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, herons, coots, moorhens, other birds, foxes, stag beetles, butterflies and insects.

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2024

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

Longleat

Longleat can be divided into two main areas – the Safari and the Main Square.

The Safari 

This has an African Village to explore on foot and a Safari Drive-Through to explore from a vehicle – either your own or the Longleat bus. 

Safari On Foot – The African Village

Here you can see lemurs, wallabies and tortoises

zebra, warthogs and goats and hand feed giraffes.  

Safari By Car – The Drive-Through

The Drive-Through has a commentary app, which is a fab idea that turns your drive into a live action, Kate Humble guided documentary.

East African Reserve

In the first section you can see ostriches, giraffes and tapirs

zebra, flamingos, pelicans and vultures. 

Monkeys

Next up are the monkeys.  Signs warn that the monkeys may damage your car.

As the gates open, Kate Humble chirps, “You have been warned…”. 

The monkeys maraud along the lines of cars. We have seen them take cars apart. 

You can choose to skip this enclosure if you like. 

Big Game Park

This has animals including Anne the elephant

a caravan of camels, a herd of Ankole cattle with horns of up to 2m long

a crash of rhinos and the Deer Park, where you can feed deer from your car.

The Carnivores

When we visited the big carnivore enclosures – tigers, lions, cheetahs and wolves – the tension from the back seat was palpable. 

The Main Square

The second part of Longleat is the Main Square, which has the house, cafes and refreshments and more animals. 

The Bat Cave

This is a bat roost and the bats fly freely around your head. 

Jungle Cruise

On the Jungle Cruise, you take a large boat that wouldn’t have been out of place in The African Queen – a sort of jungle steamer. 

We sailed past gorillas, colobus monkeys, lots of birds 

and two hippos, who were being used as an island by some cheeky ducks.

But our favourite part of the cruise is feeding the sea lions. 

They splash around the boat and make a lot of noise, jumping up out of the water to catch the fish you throw them (which you must buy).

Animal Adventure

This is home to animals like meerkats, anteaters and porcupines

binturong, fennec fox and a sloth

lorikeets you can hand feed 

crocodiles, giant otters and koalas. 

There is also a farmyard with animals including reindeer, wallabies and goats. 

Adventure Castle Play Area

Adventure Castle is a fantastic, castle-themed adventure play area. 

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

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

It has almost everything you can imagine for children of all ages – huge slides, climbing frames, swings and an obstacle course.

The Splash Pad

Jets of water activate when you press discs in the floor – some sprayed up, some sprayed down and some formed tunnels to run through. 

The perfect end to an adventure-filled day.

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: Snacks, ice cream, cafes, picnic areas, 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 and spiders, hippos, seals, gorillas, bats, anteaters, giant otters, meerkats and wallabies.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: January 2024

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

Epic Fun

LEGOLAND^® is a LEGO^® brick theme park complete with epic music, shows, models, crowds and queues.

Themed Lands

LEGOLAND^® is divided into action-packed themed lands, which combine LEGO^® brick models with rides, water fun, live shows and adventure.

Drench Towers

There is also an enormous water play area called Drench Towers and Splash Safari that has Duplo^® animals (including the polar bear, giraffe and elephant) and interactive water features like water cannons, water slides and fountains. 

Miniland

Miniland features LEGO^® brick models of cities like London, Amsterdam and Paris as well as models of the space shuttle and remote controlled boats.

Legal notice: LEGO^®, DUPLO^® and LEGOLAND^® are trademarks of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.

Nearest Town: Windsor
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL4 4AY

Opens: Various times throughout the year

Adult Cost Range: Various
Child Cost Range: Various
Free if: Under 90cm tall

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Cafes, drinks, snacks, ice creams, picnic areas, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: We spent a full day at LEGOLAND^® Windsor Resort and still didn’t manage to see everything!
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a massive car park.
Cost of Parking: From £8

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: December 2023

Our visit to LEGOLAND^® Windsor Resort in Windsor is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Hurst Castle

The castle is strategically placed at the end of Hurst Spit, halfway between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. It can only be reached by a little ferry or on foot. 

It is a coastal fort so it does not look like a traditional castle. It is low to the ground to make the smallest possible target for enemy ships, 

and has thick walls to withstand bombardment.

Inside the walls is a labyrinth of passageways, stairs 

and some enormous guns on display. 

There are also some beautiful views from the ramparts.

The Ferry – Sailing to Hurst Castle

Our favourite part of the trip was the beautiful twenty minute ferry ride on a boat that takes you past salt marshes, mud flats and moored boats.

The ferries were running every 20 to 30 minutes when we visited. 

Hurst Spit – Walking to Hurst Castle

You can walk to the castle along Hurst Spit, which is about a two mile walk along the sea. This walk is part of the Solent Way.

Hurst Spit is a shingle bank that juts into The Solent, linking Keyhaven and Hurst Castle. It separates the sea from the Lymington River Estuary. 

As this walk takes you over shingle, sturdy footwear is recommended. It is hard going with a buggy.

Swimming or using inflatables in the sea here is not recommended as the currents are very strong.

You can pick up the path to Hurst Spit and Hurst Castle from Keyhaven Car Park – just head for the Hurst Castle Ferry and then keep walking.  

Nearest Town: Lymington, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO41 0TP

Opens: There are various opening times depending on the time of year. Please see the websites for details.

Adult Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Child Cost Range: Various costs for the ferry and for castle entry – please see the websites for details.
Free if: Under 3 years for the ferry. Under 5 years for the castle.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: There are toilets and accessible toilets inside Hurt Castle. There are no toilets available for people not visiting the castle. There is a cafe outside the castle that is available to all visitors.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Not buggy friendly but you could bring a buggy if you were prepared to leave it somewhere as you explore the castle, which has lots of steps. I wouldn’t take a buggy onto Hurst Spit as it would be too hard to push. 

Parking: Pay and display car park at Keyhaven. 
Cost of Parking: From £3 for two hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Fish, crabs, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: June 2020
Information Checked: July 2022

Our visit to Hurst Castle and the Hurst Castle Ferry, near Milford on Sea in the New Forest, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Boats

There are boat trips from the quay, including the Mudeford Ferry, which will take you across Chichester Harbour and to the beach opposite the quay on Mudeford Sandbank and Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve.  

The ferry only takes cash and sails at various times during the year so be sure to check their website before you go. 

Crabbing

People fish for crabs from the quayside using lines and bait bags, which can be bought on the quayside.  You are asked not to use hooks.

Places to Eat

Along the quay there are a couple of places to eat and also to buy crabbing supplies.

Mudeford Quay Beach

Mudeford Quay Beach is next to the car park and is a small stretch of sandy beach that overlooks Christchurch harbour. 

This beach is a good place to launch a boat, kayak, paddle board etc or to play in the sand.  It’s not really somewhere suitable to paddle or play in the water as it is muddy.

Avon Beach

Avon Beach starts next to the car park, where it is a mixture of sand and shingle. Further along the beach it becomes sandier.  

There is a track running alongside the beach that you can use to find the Avon Beach facilities, which include a shop, cafe and toilets.  

Mudeford Quay Play Area

Next to the quay and car park is Mudeford Quay Play Area, a small adventure play area dominated by a huge ship to plunder. 

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout 
• two wooden springers 
• a little zip wire 
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and 
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

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

Mudeford Quay Beach

This is a good place to launch a boat, kayak etc or to play in the sand.  It’s not really somewhere suitable to paddle or play in the water though as it is muddy. 

Instead, take the ferry to the beach opposite the quay on Mudeford Sandbank or walk down to Avon Beach. 

Mudeford Quay 

Mudeford Quay is a working fishing harbour at the mouth of Christchurch Harbour. You can ride a ferry, try crabbing or simply relax on the beach.

Crabbing 

People fish for crabs from the quayside using lines and bait bags, which can be bought on the quayside. You are asked not to use hooks.

Mudeford Quay Play Area

Next to the quay and car park is Mudeford Quay Play Area, a small adventure play area dominated by a huge ship to plunder. 

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout 
• two wooden springers 
• a little zip wire 
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats 
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Mudeford Quay Beach in Christchurch is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Pirate Island Play Area

Play at pirates amongst the ships, hideouts and beaches of Pirate Island, an exciting, adventure play area. 

The Pirate Island play area has equipment including:

• a pirate ship
• a fort
• a large tube slide
• a smaller slide
• a climbing wall

• a balance course
• springers
• swings
• toddler swings
• a spinning ring
• a sand pit with two more boats and a pirate hideout.

Little Tikes Village

Let the little ones loose amongst the playhouses, castles, slides and tunnels of Little Tikes Village.

There are indoor and outdoor areas and these are just for smaller children – those under 5 years old and under 1.1 metres tall.

The Animals

Meet the animals, including alpacas, ring-tailed lemurs, owls, wallabies and deer, which are scattered around the park. 

Some of the animals are in open enclosures, some are caged and some are free roaming.

The Miniature Railway

Ride the miniature railway around the park, past enclosures of animals from different parts of the world like New Zealand, Australasia and South America. One trip is included in your ticket price and additional trips can be taken for a small charge.

The Park and Gardens

Explore the gardens and their sculptures, education stations and athletic tests.

Special Events

Check out a special event like bug handling and, during the summer, boat trips along the River Thames.  Please check the Beale Park website to see what’s on.

The Paddling Pool

Cool off at the end of the day with a splash in the paddling pool.

Nearest Town: Pangbourne, near Reading
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG8 9NW

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £19.99
Child Cost Range: £10 to £19.99
Free if: Under 2

Opens: February to November

Where to Eat: Cafe and picnic areas.
Facilities: Ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free with the costs of admission.

Animals You Might See: A variety, including insects, peacocks, owls, parrots, wallabies, rheas, deer, alpacas, goats, sheep, ring-tailed lemurs, monkeys, meerkats, raccoons, prairie dogs and other small mammals.

Information Written: July 2017

Our visit to Beale Park in Pangbourne, near Reading, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Boulters Lock 

Boulters Lock is a picturesque place to watch the lock lift and lower boats as they travel the Thames.

Ray Mill Island and the Thames

Ray Mill Island is surrounded by the Thames. When we visited, the river was swollen and flowing very fast. 

This does give a visit an exciting edge but note that there are no barriers along the edge of the river. 

Ray Mill Island can also flood so be sure to check the Ray Mill Island website before you visit to make sure it is open. 

The Wildlife

Ray Mill island is full of wildlife. Ducks, swans, geese, Canada geese and very cute mandarin ducks all roam confidently, as do the squirrels, which are especially brave on this island and can bite!

Animal Enclosures

In a corner of the island there are animal enclosures, which house guinea pigs, parakeets, finches

also lovebirds and other small birds. 

Paths and Sculptures

Scattered around Ray Mill Island are pathways, sculptures, benches and bridges. There is also a series of wooden animals to track down.

Boulters Lock Play Area

There is a small play area for children from 3 to 8 years old, with a wobbly bridge that children can climb and play on. 

Riverside Gardens

About a ten minute walk down the road is Riverside Gardens Play Area, which has a zip wire, sand pit, cafe and mini golf, as well as the usual play equipment. 

Sail the Thames

Next to Riverside Gardens is Maidenhead Promenade, where you can catch a boat to Windsor at certain times of the year. There are also boats to rent nearby and walks up and down the Thames Path.

Nearest Town: Maidenhead
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL6 8PE

Opens: Daily but the island can close if the River Thames is high. 
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There is a seasonal cafe on Ray Mill Island and you walk past the Boathouse Restaurant on the way in. 
Facilities: Picnic area, toilets, accessible toilets, seasonal cafe, ice cream and snacks.

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

Parking: Boulters Lock car park (SL6 8JN), which is a short walk away.
Cost of Parking: From 50p for three hours.

Wildlife You Might See: Guinea pigs, parakeets, finches, lovebirds and other small birds. Also ducks, swans, coots, moorhens and geese.

Information Written: March 2017

Our visit to Ray Mill Island and Boulters Lock and Play Area in Maidenhead is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.