Hollowdene Recreation Ground

The play equipment is for use by children under the age of 14 years and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings 
• a pirate boat
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a bridge, bars and a slide with a ladder
• a second slide with easy to climb stairs

• a balance course 
• two springers
• a hopscotch board 
• a covered seating area
• an outdoor multi-gym
• a picnic table 
• a table tennis table 
• seats.

Next to the play area is a very large sports field with a football pitch and a cricket pitch. 

There is also a shop where you can buy snacks and ice cream and the very child and dog friendly Holly Bush. 

A Walk to a Stream

If you walk down past the playing fields you come to a footpath through the trees. 

This leads to a bridge over a little stream and some fields where we spotted some ducks and rabbits.

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There is village shop next to the play area, a pub nearby where you can buy food.  You can also bring a picnic.
Facilities: A shop, pub and a picnic area.

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

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

Animals You Might See: Ducks, insects and rabbits.

Information Written: February 2020
Information Checked: June 2024

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

The Jubilee Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a tractor to play on
• a wooden house with a slide, climbing wall, fireman’s pole and ladder
• a zip wire
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a spinning, rope climbing frame
• a balance course and
• a picnic table.

Next to the play area is a small football pitch with a two goals.

Nearest Town: Tilford, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 2AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

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

Parking: There are parking spaces next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: February 2023

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

The Phillips Memorial Park Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a multiplay and slide with nets and easy to climb stairs 
• a wooden climbing frame with a net
• an obstacle course 
• swings
• toddler swings

• a basket swing
• a little wooden slide for smaller children 
• a boat
• a spinning cup
• seats.

The play area is in a large field with a meadow, pond and a riverside walk. 

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

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in one of the local cafes, pubs or restaurants.
Facilities: Picnic table, toilets, accessible toilets, snacks, ice cream.

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

Parking: Crown Court Car Park is next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: From £1.10 per hour. 

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to The Phillips Memorial Park 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.

Shalford Park

Shalford Park itself is a large open area with lots of football pitches and some toilets. 

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill has been a sacred site for thousands of years.

In the 14th century a chapel was built here, which now lies in ruins.

Sacred Spring

At the bottom of St Catherine’s Hill by the River Wey is a sacred spring that was believed to cure sore eyes. 

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey runs along Shalford Park. 

St Catherine’s Lock

If you cross the river and turn left, you can walk to St Catherine’s Lock.   

Finding the River and St Catherine’s Hill

As you leave Shalford Park car park, head to the line of trees on your right and follow the footpath that leads through the trees and on to the River Wey and St Catherine’s Hill. 

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 8AA 

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: Car park.
Cost of Parking: £4 per day. 

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

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Shalford Park in Guildford (not including walking to St Catherine’s Hill and St Catherine’s Lock) is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

St Catherine’s Hill

St Catherine’s Hill used to be called Drakehull (or Dragon Hill) and is  a sacred site that dates back thousands of years to the Stone Age. 

In the 14th century a chapel was built here, which now lies in ruins.

Sacred Spring

At the bottom of St Catherine’s Hill by the River Wey is a sacred spring that was believed to cure sore eyes. 

Next to it is a little plaque and a poem:

“Your upward path, my downward flow 

Are fixed by law divine, 

My task is to refresh your soul, 

Yours to discover mine”

River Wey Navigations 

The River Wey flows past St Catherine’s Hill. 

You can follow the River Wey Navigations footpath along the river (if you are looking at the river then follow the path to the right)

and on to St Catherine’s Lock.  

St Catherine’s Lock

When at the lock, you can either turn around and go back to the car park the same way you have come or cross the river 

and follow the footpath back to Shalford Park, 

passing St Mary’s Church, Shalford. 

This route is wilder than the path along the river, with obstacles like fallen trees 

and streams. 

Finding St Catherine’s Hill

As you leave Shalford Park car park, head to the line of trees on your right 

and follow the footpath that leads through the trees and on to the River Wey. 

Once at the river, cross the bridge 

walk past the spring and up Ferry Lane to the main road. 

St Catherine’s Hill is on your left and will take you up to the church.

Nearest Town: Guildford 
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU3 1LJ is the nearest postcode but parking is on the other side of the River Wey at GU4 8AA.

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Generally buggy friendly but some of the paths can be narrow.

Parking: There is a car park at Shalford Park (GU4 8AA).
Cost of Parking: £4 per day. 

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

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to St Catherine’s Hill and St Catherine’s Lock in Guildford is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Flood Meadows

Flood Meadows has 15 acres of fields, flowers and mature trees.

A peaceful footpath winds along the northern branch of the River Wey

under trees

and over a pond.

This was originally water-cress beds and is now home to frogs, newts, snails and lots of water birds.

The River Wey

The River Wey has two branches – the northern and the southern branch.

The source of the northern branch is just a short walk from Flood Meadows.

The Wey Walk

This is a signposted 1.75 mile walk that starts at King’s Pond and follows the River Wey through Alton to its source. 

A copy of the Wey Walk leaflet can be found on the Walk Alton website. 

To the Source!

You can walk to the source of the northern branch of the River Wey by following the Wey Walk signs through Flood Meadows and on to its main gateway.

When you join Basingstoke Road, turn right and walk down the pavement to the corner.

The Source of the north branch of the River Wey is in the field opposite you. 

If you follow the path to the end of the field, there are some drainage pipes, which were dry when we visited.

The field was too overgrown to see where the River Wey springs out of the ground but you might have a better view in the winter when everything has died back. 

Bring Everything You Need

There are fields where you can have a picnic but there are no other facilities so be sure to bring everything else you need. 

Nearest Town: Alton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU34 1HR

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: About three hours.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a small car park with a few parking spaces at the end of Tanhouse Lane (GU34 1HR). You can also try parking on Basingstoke Road (GU34 1QA) by the main entrance to Flood Meadows or in one of the main Alton car parks. 
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Insects, birds, lots of water birds, fish and other pond life.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: June 2022

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

Burford Lodge Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• lots of swings
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout 
• an elephant springer 
• a spinning cup 

• rocks to climb on 
• a long slide
• a multiplay for older children with a climbing wall, ladders, poles and baskets 
• a smaller multiplay with a slide, nets and easy to climb stairs 
• a zip wire
• picnic tables.

Next to the play area is a football pitch, a large field and Elstead tennis club.

Nearest Town: Elstead, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6FG

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

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

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

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, other insects and birds.

Information Written: June 2022

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

Newark Lock

This shady lock is a good place to see Newark Priory ruins and, if you are lucky, see the lock in action…

…which took about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Newark Lock is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park, along a path that has a fairly smooth surface.   

Newark Priory Ruins

Newark Priory was built in the 12th century and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. 

You cannot visit the ruins but they can be seen from the footpath at Newark Lock.  The best time to get a clear view of the Priory is when the trees have lost their leaves. 

Papercourt Lock

At Papercourt Lock there is a lock keeper’s cottage, a tumbling bay waterfall and moored boats. 

This lock is a little further – about fifteen to twenty minutes from the car park, through water meadows on a path that is not surfaced.  

Finding the Locks

Newark Lane car park is next to the river. From here you can either turn right and walk along the river towards Newark Lock or walk left towards Papercourt Lock.  

Both paths can become muddy so be sure to bring wellies if it’s been raining.

Nearest Town: Pyrford, near Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU23 6DP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle bumps, grass and mud.

Parking: There is a small car park on Newark Lane (GU23 6DP) next to the road bridge.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans, cows, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: May 2022

Our visit to Newark Priory, Newark Lock and Papercourt Lock near Woking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Waverley Abbey

Founded by the Bishop of Winchester in 1128, Waverley Abbey was a Cistercian abbey until it was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII.  

Some of the buildings are remarkably well preserved. 

One has columns and vaulted ceilings that are still intact. 

The grass is mown to give an idea of the floor plan.

The Paths

Waverley Abbey is about a five to ten minute walk from the car park. 

The ruins are in a grassy field, which can be uneven in places. 

Nearest Town: near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU9 8EP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Choose a buggy that can handle grass.

Parking: There is a small car park that can be busy.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Herons, ducks, swans and butterflies.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: November 2021

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

Brass Rubbing Trails

Brass rubbing trails of varying lengths snake through the woods. Each is marked by arrows and posts topped with a numbered brass rubbing plate.

Be sure to bring pencils or crayons and some paper!

Sculptures 

I love stumbling across sculptures in the wild and we found two hidden at Bordon Inclosure – some hunters with spears and a large toad!

The Natural Play Area

The natural play area has mud hills to climb up and a balance trail made of logs and tree stumps.

The King Oak 

Near the natural play area we discovered a fairy tale glade where a 400 year-old oak tree seems to spring from nowhere. This is the King Oak, with sprawling branches and a wonderfully twisted trunk.

The Heart of Oak Throne 

Underneath the Kings Oak is the Heart of Oak throne, which makes the perfect spot to tell the children a fairy tale or, if they’re feeling brave, a spooky story.

The River Wey

The River Wey runs through the Inclosure, closely followed by a boardwalk.

As we wandered along the bank of the River Wey, we heard a rushing noise that sounded like a waterfall. Disappointingly, it turned out to be water gushing through an overhead pipe and out on the other side.

Deadwater Valley Nature Reserve

A pathway connects the Bordon Inclosure with the Deadwater Valley Nature Reserve, another beautiful stretch of woodland on the River Wey.

Special Events

The Bordon Inclosure is managed by the Deadwater Valley Trust and they run special events, some of which are aimed at children. 

Our visit coincided with their Halloween event. The rangers were in Halloween costumes and had set up a stand playing Halloween music and selling hot chocolate. A trail of pumpkins lead from the stand to the natural play area, with Halloween themed games and activities. The rangers had clearly gone to a lot of effort and we had a fantastic time. 

Please see the Deadwater Valley Trust website for details of forthcoming events.

Nearest Town: Bordon, near Farnham and Liphook
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU35 0LA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: We found Bordon Inclosure buggy friendly. We took an all terrain buggy but saw other families using normal buggies. The earth pathways are generally compact but can be muddy. Parts of the Inclosure are hilly and some paths are edged by steep drops without fences.

Parking: There is a small car park next to the Inclosure’s entrance (GU35 0LA). It was not busy when we arrived but was completely full after the Halloween event started.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, slow worms, lizards, otters, fungi, butterflies, dragonflies and insects.

Information Written: October 2017

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

Stoke Meadows

Also known as Stoke Meadows, Riverside Park Nature Reserve is an 80-hectare nature reserve with a range of habitats, including the River Wey, marshy reed beds, a lake, ponds, meadows and woodland.

The Wildlife

The reserve might run alongside the A3 but it is bursting with life.

We saw butterflies, Canada geese and demoiselles everywhere and walked under a noisy rookery where we collected 20 feathers in five minutes.

Which Way?

Part of the fun of Riverside Park is choosing which of the paths to explore.

We started at the car park, walked past an enormous pylon and into a meadow swarming with butterflies.

The Wey Way

At the first fork in the road, we turned right and discovered the River Wey. It was almost completely still, disturbed only every so often by a passing boat.

The path ran beside the river, past hundreds of dancing damselflies that the children mistook for fairies.

Stoke Lock

Stoke Lock was built in the 1600s and is the oldest lock in Surrey. When we arrived it was in action, lifting a boat up 2 metres so it could continue its voyage down the river.

The Boardwalk

We headed back into the nature reserve and discovered a fantastic boardwalk that allowed us to walk through the reeds and over a marsh.

Exploring this is great fun and we discovered ornately carved benches, a wooden dragonfly sculpture 

and a secret bird hide.

Pond Dipping

We also found a pond dipping platform with instructions and pictures of the creatures we might find.

The Lake

Once you reach the lake you have a choice – walk around it, head under the A3 and into Thorneycroft Wood or head back to the car park. 

The Map

The reserve is large and there is a lot to see. There is a map in on a board in the car park. If you take a picture with your phone then you have a handy guide to take on your walk. 

The Paths

There are benches and picnic tables dotted around the reserve where weary little legs can have a rest.

The footpaths around the meadows and the lake are surfaced with stones. 

The paths along the River Wey are a combination of mud and grass. They were dry when we visited but must become muddy in wet months.

Nearest Town: Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 7ND (or GU1 1UP)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly. I used an all-terrain double buggy during our visit and did not have any issues. The boardwalk was wide enough for the buggy but there was not a lot of wiggle room.

Parking: The reserve’s main car park (GU4 7ND) is right next to the A3. There were plenty of spaces when we visited. There is also a second car park at The Spectrum (GU1 1UP) but to reach the main reserve from here you need to walk under the A3. There is a lot of road noise in the parts of the reserve next to the A3.
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, coots, moorhens, damselflies, dragonflies, butterflies, insects, grey wagtails and kingfishers.

Information Written: June 2017

Our visit to Riverside Park Nature Reserve in Guildford, also known as Stoke Meadows in Guildford, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

RHS Gardens Wisley

The gardens are magnificent and full of colour and life, whatever the season. 

We love the maze-like Alpine Meadow  

The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse conceals a tropical world complete with a jungle canopy, desert 

It also has a waterfall, a cave with an exhibition about plants and roots and even hosts free-flying butterflies during the winter. 

The Gardens

Wisley’s grounds are extensive so make sure you pick up a map. 

The many walking routes lead past orchards, view points, hillside gardens, formal gardens, wild gardens

several ponds, and small waterfalls as well as a walled garden with a lily pond and fountain.  

There are even some ducks. 

Outdoor Play Areas

There are a couple of places to play – a den building area

and a wild playground with an obstacle course, and bridge and rope climbing frames.

Cafes and an Indoor Play Area

Scattered around the gardens are several picnic areas and cafes. 

The Glasshouse Cafe has a small, indoor soft play area, although this is not in the main part of the cafe and we have never managed to find a free table there.

Christmas Glow

During the Christmas season, Wisley lights up the night with Wisley’s Christmas Glow.

Huge lanterns light your path around the gardens.

Festive lights illuminate plants inside

and outside.

Nearest Town: Pyrford, near Woking and Cobham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU23 6QB

Adult Cost Range: £15 to £19.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Under 5 or with RHS membership

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: Picnic area, cafe, snacks, ice creams, toilets and accessible toilets.

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

Parking: There is a large car park but it can become very busy. There are spaces for people with children near the entrance to the gardens.  
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, water birds, squirrels, birds and fish.

Information Written: August 2016

Our visit to RHS Garden Wisley in Pyrford, near Woking and Cobham, is summarised below and based on free entry with an RHS membership card. You can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Thundry Meadows

Thundry Meadows, which is skirted by the River Wey, is a tranquil mix of water meadows, heathland and marshland and is teeming with wildlife.

The Inhabitants

We saw spiders, dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers, birds, cows, a frog and a family of Canada geese.

Buggy Issues

Accessing Thundry Meadows was difficult. It is certainly not buggy friendly. The entrance was a stile, the paths were overgrown and the boardwalk narrow. 

Practicalities aside, in many ways these problems just added to the fun.

Cattle Grazing

When we visited there were cattle grazing, which meant there was also an electric fence. The cattle are generally resident from April to October.

Finding It!

Thundry Meadows was a little hard to find and I drove past it twice. To find it look for a small lay-by with a large wooden gate on the southern side of Waverley Lane. The lay-by is nearly opposite Seale Road. 

Nearest Town: Elstead, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

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

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: I found it hard to use a buggy here.  

Parking: There is no car park but there is space for about three cars in the lay-by (see above).
Cost of Parking: Free.

Wildlife You Might See: Spiders, dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, grasshoppers, birds, cattle (at times), snakes, frogs, ducks and Canada geese.

Information Written: July 2016

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