Crabtree Plantation, public park in Basingstoke

Crabtree Plantation

Basingstoke, Hampshire c Stewart Tukington

Country Parks

Share this with

x

  • Accommodation Search

  • Things to Do Search

  • What's On Search

  • Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Accommodation Search

Arrival Date:
Add Room
Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Things to Do Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

What's On Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:
Dates

Food & Drink Search

Type:
Area:
Keyword:

Parks offer an ideal low cost day out for all the family, allowing the kids to get outside, run free and explore the great outdoors.  Many offer an array of outdoor activities and play parks onsite, along with cycle and walking trails, fishing and on the water activities.  All have great spaces to enjoy a family picnic, many have cafes serving refreshments and light bites, some with barbeque spaces for hire.  Come for an adventurous day out and discover fairy gardens, play barns, hop on miniature railways, sensory gardens and much much more.

South East England's rural geography means there are dozens to choose from, each with their own beautiful spaces and natural features. So whether your looking for a country park, adventure playground or play park near you in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex or Berkshire take inspiration from our top ten parks or take a look at the list/map view below.

Top ten country parks in South East England

  • Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton, Hampshire 
    Once the home of the biggest military hospital in the Victorian Empire, this 200-acre site is now ideal for relaxation and leisure. With a great childrens play park and fairy garden, wide open grasslands and 1-mile long railway that tours the park. 
  • Hastings Country Park, East Sussex
    Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve has over 267 hectares of ancient woodland, heathland and grassland together with 3 miles (5km) of dramatic cliffs and coastline, all within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  • Queen Elizabeth Country Park, South Downs National Park 
    Fourteen hundred acres of downland and woodland situated in the South Downs National Park with a Green Flag Award. Waymarked trails for walking, cycling and horse riding. Play trails, barbecues for hire. Look out for an extensive programme of events and activities.
  • Seven Sisters Country Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex
    Seven Sisters Country Park comprises 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland. It is a popular place for a number of outdoor activities including walking, birdwatching, cycling and canoeing and named after the seven rolling chalk cliffs on the Sussex Heritage Coast.
  • Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hampshire
    With a farm full of friendly animals, the south coast’s largest ornamental glasshouses, beautiful gardens and 1,000 acres of country park to explore there’s something for everyone. 
  • Mote Country Park, Maidstone, Kent
    Located in the heart of Maidstone, the 450 acre park is home to many of Kent's top events, along with a watersports centre, 32ft Sky Trail and Climbing Wall, BMX track, model railway and more.
  • Wellington Country Park, Reading, Berkshire
    Set in 350 acres of parkland between Reading and Basingstoke with a packed events calendar, outdoor playgrounds and wide open spaces the park is open from early Feb until November.
  • Farley Mount Country Park, Winchester, Hampshire
    Named after the famous monument to the horse named 'Beware Chalk Pit', which belonged to Paulet St John, the 3rd Earl of Bolingbroke.  The all round views from the monument are worth the exploration.
  • Lepe Country Park, New Forest, Hampshire
    Coastal beach walks with historic D-Day remains, wildflower meadows and children's play areas. There's also an excellent sensory garden with sights and sounds perfect for stimulating the minds of babies and toddlers.  Discover the long shingle beach, views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, The Lepe Loop a five mile circular walk and a regular events programme.
  • Alver Valley Country Park, Lee-on-Solent, Gosport
    This nature reserve is full of wildlife living amidst its woodland and grassy meadows .  The River Alver runs through its heart, creating lakes and ponds along its course

Parks near me

To find your nearest country park, play park, adventure playground near you, whether you're local to South East England or visiting the area on holiday, select the 'map view' icon below.

Number of results:

Number of results: 45

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Reculver Country Park & Reculver Towers

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Herne Bay

    The twin towers of St Mary's Church are a distinctive feature of the north Kent coast. They are visible for miles around, guiding visitors as they have guided sailors for centuries. But there is much more to Reculver than the towers...

  2. War Memorial Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Basingstoke

    The War Memorial Park is an historic Georgian park which is within walking distance of Basingstoke town centre. The mature trees offer space to enjoy some shade on a sunny day and the park also features a bandstand, aviary, play area, BMX/skatepark,…

  3. Beacon Hill Iron Age Hill Fort

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Newbury

    One of the best known hill forts in England and the site of one of the beacons that formed a network across Hampshire.

  4. California Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Finchampstead

    One-hundred-and-fifty acres of beautiful and varied countryside, Longmoor Nature Reserve, 6-acre lake, public coarse fishery, paddling pool, play area, and cafe.

  5. Riverside Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Gillingham

    Riverside Country Park is an excellent site for Winter birdwatching.
    Situated alongside the Medway Estuary at Gillingham, the park is made up of many different habitats, including ponds, reedbed and grassland.

  6. Windsor Great Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Windsor Great Park, Windsor

    Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, huge parts of which are open to the public. Windsor Great Park is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the children's play…

  7. Royal Victoria Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Southampton

    Rich in history, with a small beach and miles of open fields, Royal Victoria Country Park is a hidden gem on the south coast.

  8. Alexandra Park

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Hastings

    A 10 minute walk from Hastings town centre, this Grade II Listed Victorian park is one of the finest to be found anywhere in the country.

  9. Eastrop Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Basingstoke

    Located just a short walk from Basingstoke town centre, this popular park includes a boating lake, tree trail, trim trail and children’s play area. It benefits from two car parks on the site. The park has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag…

  10. Lightwater Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Lightwater

    The Country Park is predominately heathland habitat, but there are also ponds, woodland, shrubs and lowland bog

  11. Seven Sisters Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Seaford

    Situated in the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Seven Sisters Country Park comprises 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland.

  12. Crabtree Plantation

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Basingstoke

    This was originally part of the Hackwood Estate. Evidence of the historical significance of this site can still be seen in the Bolton Arch, the main entrance to Crabtree. The woodland is a mixture of oak, horse chestnut, sycamore and ash, with many…

  13. Lakeside Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Eastleigh

    Sixty acres of lakes, meadow and young woodland situated between Eastleigh and Southampton with easy access.

  14. Staunton Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Havant

    With a farm full of friendly animals, the south coast’s largest ornamental glasshouses, beautiful gardens and 1,000 acres of country park to explore there’s something for everyone.

  15. Trilakes Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Sandhurst

    Trilakes Country Park incorporates an animal park, nationally renowned fishing lakes, cafe and a new indoor children's adventure playworld.

  16. Wellington Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Riseley, Reading

    Wellington Country Park, ‘The Biggest Outdoor play in Berkshire’, was established in 1974 by the Eighth Duke and Duchess of Wellington. Set in 350 acres of beautiful parklands off the A33 between Basingstoke and Reading, Wellington Country Park…

  17. Crowborough Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Crowborough

    Crowborough Country Park is a 16 acre local nature reserve set within the Jarvis Brook area of Crowborough entranced from Osborne Road.

  18. Dinton Pastures Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Hurst

    A 350-acre site with meadows, fishery, watersports and conservation lakes. Three bird hides, orienteering course, children's play area, cafe.

  19. Snelsmore Common Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Newbury

    Heathland, valley bog and woodland. Suitable for most quiet recreational activities such as walking and picnicking. Walking distance to Donnington Castle.

  20. White Horse Wood Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Maidstone

    The White Horse Country Park is set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The park offers beautiful countryside, local history and panoramic views and hosts the medieval ruins of Thurnham Castle.