Things to do in Denmead and the local area over the Easter holidays!
Hi all!
With Easter approaching we thought it might be handy to share some ideas for little trips out with the kids! We know a lot of our families have lived around the village for a long time but we have also been joined by some families who are newer to the area. So check out our suggestions, take some pics and don’t forget to share on tapestry!
Out and about in nature…
Denmead Park: If you haven’t taken the kids down to the park recently then the Easter holidays is a great time to go. There are lots of different apparatus suiting a variety of ages, lots of space to run around and play games on the grass field. For the braver ones they could try out parts of the skate park on balance bikes or scooters, or maybe head over to the MUGA to kick a soft ball or play basketball. There is often a coffee van in the car park along Ashling Park Road on the weekends and in half terms too!
Hundred Acre Woods: If you’re able to get in the car, take the 10 minute drive up to Hundred Acre Woods in Wickham. We recommend the West Walk car park, where you have quick access to toilets, picnic benches, a big sandpit surrounded by wooden play huts and a play area for older children adjacent to this. Exploring the woods is a great activity for your little ones, the paths are pushchair friendly and there is a lovely little river that is perfect for investigating – just remember the wellies! Bonus points for having a coffee van here too, which also serves yummy sweet treats!
Queen Elizabeth Country Park: An excellent spot for a walk, there are lots of trails to suit different needs, some shorter, some pushchair friendly, ask in the information centre for a ‘Big Butser Egg Roll’ family trail map this Easter break. In the same building you will find a café and small shop as well as an activity room which is used during the school holidays for bookable activities. If you follow the path out of the café you will come across a bike and scooter park which is great fun for confident riders (either balance bikes or pedal bikes, but not suitable for stabilizers). There is a more advanced one as you follow the road around to the top of the hill for older siblings to try. If you go right up to the top and park up there is a brilliant park with lots of little buildings, perfect for harnessing that imaginative play. Dotted around you will notice lots of barbeque pits which are available to hire on their website if you feel like being more adventurous than having a picnic!
Alice Holt Country Park: A longer drive at 40 minutes from Denmead, but worth it. Alice holt is a huge country park with a lot to offer. It’s main attraction for families is the Gruffalo trail, follow the path to find the much-loved characters hiding in the woods. Once you have done this, you are at the start of the play trail! This is a 1-mile loop, which takes you to several different play parks that are suitable for different ages, you will also notice a giant marble run at each park, carved balls are available to buy in the shop on entry, they are roughly the same size as a tennis ball (!). There are plenty of picnic stops on the pram friendly route, but no toilets so prepare for that. They currently also have a ‘Room on the Broom’ trail, you can buy a pack from the gift shop and have a go at the different activities which are in between the play parks on the play trail, so no detours needed. Once you’re all finished, and if you didn’t have time to make a picnic, the café has a wide variety of food to suit both children and adults, from lunchboxes to hot meals and of course, ice cream.
Hilsea Lines: A lovely flat walk by the water which is perfect for scooters, prams and bikes! This is one of our favourites as it is such a safe and secure route with a wall running down the water side of the path. Set the satnav for Hilsea Lido carpark, then walk up past the splash park (sadly not open yet) and the Lido on the left, follow the path round. We recommend for little legs to keep going until you get to a little park on your left, then turn around and head back. There is a great little café on the way serving good coffee, other soft drinks and treats (they also have a loo!). This is also a great spot to stop and watch the wakeboarders, we are sure children will be howling and cheering as they watch them practice their jumps and tricks!
Staunton Country Park On the other side of the road from Staunton farm you will find Staunton Country Park. Visit the coach house reception to get a Springtime Trail pack for you and your little ones and head off on an adventure. Follow the rough stone path around old foundations of the Leigh Park House Estate. Explore the woodcarvings, see which farm animals are grazing on the neighbouring fields and head down to the lake to feed the ducks! If you’ve got enough energy left when you get back up the hill you can climb the observation tower to see far and wide, and visit the small trim trail park, sheltered by the trees. A great place for all the family, pushchair friendly, dog friendly, bike friendly (not scooters!). They also have a café on site which was converted from the old stables, you can still sit in the stables now and eat your lunch, trust me it’s lovely.
Thank you all,
Denmead Preschool.
