Alice Holt Country Park is right on the edge of Hampshire. It’s full of fun-packed family trails that can keep the whole family amused for the whole day.
Based near Farnham, Alice Holt forest and country park is about 53 minutes from central Southampton. It’s easy to find and well sign-posted.
They do offer membership packages for free on-site parking too.
As you drive in the machine takes your number plate. The car park is huge but it does fill up really quickly. We turned up at 10am and parked by the entrance but by about 230pm it was one in one out in the car park. The machines only take card currently.
The toilets are right by the entrance and they have a separate baby changing.
If you are looking for more days out ideas then have a look at:
The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly – Looking for amazing walks in Hampshire? Then use our guide here!
The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire – Hampshire has so many amazing country parks. Use our post here to visit as many as you can.
The Definitive Guide To Days Out in Hampshire – If you are looking for something to do then make sure you use our list here. We have included everything that Hampshire has to offer from country parks to days out.
As you walk through the entrance, you’ll see the cafe and picnic benches on the right and one of their many playgrounds on the left.
Alice Holt is perfect for dogs too. Dogs do need to be on leads in the central area but in the forest, they are free to roam.
There’s loads of off-road treks you can take. These aren’t all assessable but are great for climbing over fallen trees and spotting wildlife.
While we walked through the forest we found a cycle track and a den building area.
They have loads of places you can have a picnic throughout the country park or even enjoy their own cafe which serves a range of hot food and sweet treats.
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Opening Hours
Alice Holt Country Park is open from 8am to 6pm in November and March, 8am to 5pm December to February, 8am to 7pm in April and October and 8am to 9pm May to September.
Playgrounds
They have two playgrounds which are called:
Playwood – This is one of the main playgrounds. It has slides, climbing frames and great for primary aged school and up.
Timberline – This trail and playground is a great way to get everyone walking. This is a short walk that leads you right to the playground then on to the Habitat Trail.
Walking Trails
Enjoy 6 walking or cycling trails that are a variable distance. The Easy Access Trail takes you around a pushchair and wheelchair friendly walk where you can spot The Gruffalo characters.
Habitat Trail
Start at the Timberline playground. This is an easy walk, perfect for pushchairs or bikes to ride along. There are loads of mini-figures to keep smaller kids amused as well. It’s just 0.6 miles long so perfect for little feet. It’s a gravel track but pretty even. It’s circular and can lead you right back to the entrance.
They have a picnic area by one of the sculptures which is great if you’ve brought your own picnic. Make sure you check out Glenbervie Meadow just off of the trail. It’s great for kids who just want to run free.
Timberline Trail
This is a 0.3 mile walk that leads you right to the second playground. It’s a flat gravel path that is perfect for bikes and leads you on to the Habitat Trail. It starts at the entrance and takes you around the go Ape course, across the river, through the play park and halfway down the Habitat Trail.
Willows Green Trail
This trail is 0.6 miles long that offers a shorter route if you don’t like the idea of a steep hill. It’s a circular route that crosses over into the Easy Access trail. It starts at the entrance and goes through the deep forest on a gravel path. There are loads of different off-track ways you can go if you feel adventurous too.
Easy Access Trail
This is 1.5 miles long and starts off near the bottom car park. It’s great for pushchairs as it’s a flat gravel path that is really wide. It follows the Gruffalo sculptures which are great for younger kids to keep them going.
There’s loads of different ways you can walk through the forest for tree climbing or muddy walks. It’s a circular route and gives you options to turn around at two or three points.
They have a picnic area right by the den building so it’s a great place to stop and let the kids have fun.
Lodge Pond Trail
This is a 2.5-mile trail that does feel like you’ve gone off the track but you haven’t! This takes you to the pond and a picnic area that’s so peaceful in the summer months.
It can get very muddy and isn’t overly pushchair friendly but for older kids is great. It takes you right through the forest and offers you a viewpoint into the fields. This is a great track for bikes too.
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Family Cycle Trail
This is a 3-mile trail that has a few steep hills but is mainly flat. It crosses the Lodge Pond Trail on the way back which means you get to enjoy the deeper forest. It starts near the entrance and takes you around and through the forest, past the meadow and close to the lake.
Alice Holt Cafe
The cafe is at the entrance surrounded by picnic benches. It’s a great place to grab a hot drink of a cold day or a sweet treat on a warm one.
You can hire BBQs which means it’s a great place for family gatherings too.
You don’t have to eat your picnic near the cafe as there are loads of picnic benches throughout the country park or places to put down a rug.
Activity Centre
Alice Holt have an Activity Centre that hires out bikes and trailers for adults and kids.
All the trails above are great if you’ve come for a run or exercise as they are mainly flat.
Laura x
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