Visiting Alice Holt Forest, Hampshire

Finding great places to visit with the kids and the dog is a must for us and we just love being able to jump in the car and explore all that Hampshire has to offer. One of our favourites is Alice Holt Forest so I thought I would share a little bit about it with you…

About Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is one of the largest surviving ancient woodlands in the South of England. Managed by Forestry England it offers a wide range of ways for people to enjoy the great outdoors here in Hampshire and the surrounding areas. From the Gruffalo trail to Go Ape, woodland walks and den building, play areas plus a cafe, plenty of areas for your dog to enjoy, accessible paths for wheelchairs and pushchairs, nature trails and cycle trails there is something for all.

What We Enjoy at Alice Holt

We particularly love diving straight in and doing the kid’s trails, discovering the play areas in the forest and then wandering up for a hot drink and snack or a picnic next to the duck pond. I love that it feels safe to allow your children to run about and that there is always something to grab their attention. It makes the perfect place to visit for a whole day out.

Each time we visit is a completely different experience simply because there is so much to do. The kids do love the play area but some days it is just nice to go off the beaten track and explore the woods and take in the wildlife – we have seen a deer or 2 over the years. It’s also a great place for taking their bikes as the paths are wide and easy for the kids to manoeuvre on. Because the area of land is so big you rarely get problems with accessing the den building or the play areas within the woods (it gets pretty busy at the main one!) so everybody can just get stuck right in and have plenty of fun.

As mentioned above, Alice Holt is also a Go Ape location which can be booked in advance and enjoyed by both adults and children. Another location for this activity is in Dorset at Moors Valley Country Park so if you are close to that area do check out this park too.

If year-round outdoor play and exploring is up your street then you will love Alice Holt as much as we do.

Alice Holt Forest Information

Location – Bucks Horn Oak GU10 4LS

Car Park – Yes. Pay on departure

Car Park Opening Hours – Vary depending on the time of year:

May to September	8am – 9pm
October	8am – 7pm
November	8am – 6pm
December to February	8am – 5pm
March	8am – 6pm
April	8am – 7pm

Footpaths – Yes

Dogs – Yes

Accessible Toilets and changing places – Yes

Things to do – play areas, trails, cycling, running, exercise, bird watching, den building, Go Ape, picnic areas, cafe, dog walking.

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