Hampshire is blessed with a huge range of country parks, from those run
by the county and borough councils, to those in private hands.Most are good bets for a day out with the baby, with facilities
generally well-maintained and accessible – time it right and you might
even find a surprising range of events and activities on offer.
But make sure you check the weather forecast before venturing out!
Manor Farm Country Park
One of southern Hampshire’s true gems is Manor Farm Country Park, in 400 peaceful acres on the banks of the Hamble at Bursledon, near Southampton.
Pick the right weather and it’s a lovely spot for a family day out, with a mixture of woodland, riverside and open space, perfect for little ones who like to run about. There are plenty of activities for all ages, or even a summer walk for a group of mums with pushchairs.
Most of the park is accessible to buggies, and there is a network of wide, clearly marked and well-surfaced trails allowing easy exploration – with benches at regular intervals to rest little feet and take in the views. The best trail for pushchairs is nice and shady for hot days and starts at Barnfield, leading down to the river. You can even buy a guide to the walking trails for just 50 pence, at the farm shop.
The farm itself is the real draw for under-fives. A recreation of a 500-year old working farm, by paying a separate entrance fee, (£5.50 for adults, under-fives free) you can get really close to chickens and ducks, which wander around the farmyard, and the costumed staff can introduce toddlers to the bigger farm animals, including a newborn foal. There is also a children’s play trail in the farm’s orchard, which is suitable for adventurous tots (under supervision).
The farm’s toilets are the only ones in the park to have baby changing facilities, and the farm is also the location of a great tearoom and gift shop.
Car parking is plentiful (the £1.50 parking charge is refunded if you pay for the farm entrance too) and the park is only half a mile from junction 8 of the M27, between Southampton and Portsmouth. However, public transport is a good mile away except in high summer, when Blue Star Boats runs a river bus from Hamble-le-Rice.
visit website: www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/manorfarm
Mystery Mum rating
Accessibility 3/5
Activities 4/5
Baby facilities 3/5
Value 4/5
Eastleigh Lakeside Country Park
Only minutes from suburban Eastleigh is the site of every child’s dream trip, the “little trains” of Lakeside Country Park.
Its miniature “ride-on” trains, are genuine steam engines run by enthusiasts - and solid gold fun to tiny train fans.
Train journeys set off from the station, named Eastleigh Parkway, right next to the free car park, which overflows on busy weekends to fill up the paddocks nearby. The station itself is worth a visit, with several engines open to view from the platform in the engine shed. The shop sells a huge selection of toy trains (specialising, of course, in Thomas), some of which could easily break the bank. But great value for money is Mrs Kyndley’s tearoom, which sells a wide selection of hot and cold food during station opening hours. The station is open every weekend throughout the year and every day in school holidays and during July, August and September. Train journeys are £2 for a single trip, £4 for three trips and free for under-twos.
The train journey gives a taster of the rest of the park, which as the name suggests, encompasses some pretty lakeside walks. On a recent walking trip Mystery Toddler and I encountered a whole family of ducks, which swam right up to us in search of some treats, but sadly disappeared when a passing dog decided that would be a great place to jump in for a dip. The lakeside can be muddy after wet weather, and there is not much tree coverage through some of the park, but it is still a pretty oasis, just outside Eastleigh.
visit website: www.eastleigh.gov.uk/ebc-1531
Mystery Mum rating
Accessibility 4/5
Activities 4/5
Baby facilities 3/5
Value 4/5
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
If you are green-fingered, or wish you were, the Hillier Gardens are an inspiration. But, apart from holding 12,500 different types of plants and the greatest collection of hardy trees and shrubs in the world, staff at the 180 acre gardens near Romsey go out of their way to make tiny visitors welcome, too.
There are special events held for toddlers and upwards, with regular play trails through the grounds for families throughout the year, and fun activities such as Tots ‘n’ Tinies, which are sessions which aim to get pre-school children (including under-two’s) interested in nature. These popular outdoor sessions, held on a Thursday, should be booked in advance (£3.50 for each adult and child, with siblings under 2 free) and follow themes such as ‘creepy crawlies’ and ‘mud pies’.
There are also one-off events aimed at young children, which this year includes story telling and pyjama parties.
Even if you just turn up on an ordinary visit, the peaceful gardens are ideal for babies and toddlers. Car parking is plentiful and free; buses from Romsey are infrequent, but stop close by. Your first (and possibly last) stop will be the Visitor and Education Pavilion, which is pleasant and airy, with spotless baby changing facilities, high chairs and, of course, children’s menus in the licensed café. If you bring your own food, picnic tables are available throughout the gardens.
Admission is £7.50 for an adult, but on the bright side, all under-16s go free. Paths around the gardens are easily accessible for buggies and there is plenty of shade available for babies. Even if you’re not a diehard garden-lover, Hillier Gardens makes a colourful, peaceful day out.
visit website: www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Mystery Mum rating
Accessibility 4/5
Activities 4/5
Baby facilities 4/5
Value 4/5
Staunton Country Park
Near Havant, this park offers something for everyone. Staunton describes itself as “Hampshire’s best kept secret” which is no mean boast, but in this case they could be right.
Offering a full programme of events throughout the year, there is always something different going on. In any weather, kids can enjoy the ornamental farm, which features llamas and peacocks as well as the usual hands-on sheep and pigs - all safe for a close-up experience. You can even buy special food to give to the animals.
For letting off steam, the children’s play area, situated near to the tearooms and children’s paddock at the ornamental farm, is great fun. The tearooms themselves and the farmhouse café offer the usual range of snacks and meals, but one thing Staunton does really well is children’s birthday party catering.
For a set price, you can book an all-in celebration, including full admission to the play area, maze, park and farm, with animal feed, a trail challenge for the group and a party bag to take home – all on top of a traditional tea party for the children.
Staunton is well served by local buses and parking is plentiful and free. It is open from 10am to 5pm every day in summer. Admission is £4.60 for adults and £3.50 for children over three.
www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/staunton
Mystery Mum rating
Accessibility 5/5
Activities 4/5
Baby facilities 3/5
Value 5/5
Exbury Gardens
Combining the thrill of a steam train ride and the pleasures of an exotic garden, Exbury in the New Forest is a favourite for young and old alike, despite having no dedicated play areas for children.
Located near Beaulieu, the gardens come into their own in late spring, with colourful flowering displays, particularly rhododendrons and azaleas, and heady scents. The main draw for children is the steam railway, which circumnavigates the site, with a drop-off point in the American Gardens.
The all-important baby-changing is clean and well-signposted, and buggies can travel just about anywhere. Exbury also features an alfresco café and picnic space, plenty of seating throughout and a chauffeur-driven buggy tour.
Essentially a fine-weather attraction, Exbury comes into its own when the sun shines.
Tickets are £7.50 for adults, in high season, and children over three pay £1.50. A ride on the train will cost an extra £3 per person.
visit website: www.exbury.co.uk
Mystery Mum rating
Accessibility 3/5
Activities 3/5
Baby facilities 3/5
Value 4/5
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