Family Friendly Walks in Farnham
Family walks in Farnham
Are you heading out for a family walk in the Farnham and Aldershot area? We have rounded up some of the best routes and places to walk, toddle, wander or explore in Farnham and Aldershot.
Farnham Park
To visit Farnham Park for a family walk you can park in the car park on Folly Hill near the Golf Course – the café here is serving snacks, drinks and lunches as take away. You can see the ruins of the 12th century Farnham Castle and from here you can stroll along the paths at the top of the park, which lead you over streams and through wooded areas. There are plenty of picnic spots and opportunities for den building. Find more details about a family walk in Farnham Park here.
Gostrey Meadow
Gostrey Meadow is a small park in the town centre. Although the playground is currently closed, the Wye River stream flows through the park. From the Gostrey Meadow follow the River Wey through Borelli Walk towards the Shepherd and Flock roundabout and the start of the North Downs Way, perhaps catching a glance of the resident egret on the way. More details of this park here.
Frensham Little Pond circular walk
Park in the National Trust car park at Frensham Little Pond to enjoy a circular walk around this beautiful pond. The Tern Café usually serves drinks, snacks and light lunches, however remains closed for the time being. There is lots to see on this walk with bird watching spots, waterside beaches and trees to climb. Be warned that some of the ground is sandy so is not all ideal for buggies. It is a great family walk or toddle though with plenty of opportunities for tree climbing, wildlife spotting and paddling. Dogs are welcome.
The North Downs Way
The North Downs Way starts at Farnham and is 153 miles long! Whilst we’re not suggesting you walk it all, the start can be enjoyed from Farnham Town Centre. The first part of the trail takes you towards Puttenham and then Guildford following the River Wey. For more details of this walk click here.
Bourne Woods
Enjoy a walk around these impressive woods in Farnham and visit the site of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood Film set from his 2010 film, starring Russell Crowe. This is a great place for exploring and climbing. There are a mixture of sandy paths, grassy spots and steep hills. There is a car park on Tilford Road and also a variety of pedestrian entrances. For more details about Bourne Woods visit here.
Waverley Abbey
Take a family walk past the impressive ruins of Waverley Abbey. There is parking on site but if you fancy a longer stroll you could park just before the bridge at Tilford and follow a narrow path. Walk through woods with the River Wey on your left, passing fields. Turn right when you reach a country lane and follow it for a short distance before leaving it on a well trodden footpath. The narrow path runs a short distance from the river’s edge.
A small stone bridge links to Waverley Abbey House. Waverley Abbey ruins are an impressive site with plenty of grassy spaces for a picnic. Visit here for more details about Waverley Abbey.
Looking for attractions and classes which are open in the Farnham area? Visit our homepage for what's on!
Crooksbury Hill
This short circular walk climbs to Crooksbury Hill near Farnham. There's a car park directly below the hill where you can pick up a short trail to take you to the hill summit. Steep steps lead straight to the summit, or you could choose a more gentle path following the side of the hill. You are rewarded with a fantastic view, but it is quite a climb so perhaps not one for a buggy. Find more information here.
Alice Holt Forest Family trails
Alice Holt Forest has great family trails for all ages. The Gruffalo trail is very popular with younger children with accessible paths. The nature trail takes you over a stream to a series of large wooden features. Beyond these smaller loops there are a huge range of trails for walking with picnic spots to enjoy. The Alice Holt Café are serving takeaway drinks, ice creams and food. Suitable toilets have been set up. The car park is now available with limited parking. Visit our full description here.
Frensham Great Pond
There is a short boardwalk at Frensham Great Pond, near the information point, which offers a pleasant short walk suitable for pushchairs and small children. There are information panels near the car park. To continue around the Great Pond you will need to cross some sandier ground. There are plenty of opportunities for tree climbing and paddling, or even swimming, here.
Tilford Green to Frensham Little Pond
From Tilford Green there is a lovely footpath which passes through a woodland and a small farm on the way to Frensham Little Pond. To view more details of this walk click here.
Shortheath Common to Frensham
Why not take walk from Shortheath Common to Frensham Church? Parking at Hollowdene Recreation Ground gives you access to follow several footpaths. You will cross a small wooden bridge will lead you further between fields to cross (or paddle) in the river. For a longer walk you could cross and continue on the next footpath to Frensham Great Pond. For further details click here.
Hankley Common
Hankley Common, Tilford is a vast space for exploring with a variety of sandy trails and heathland. Find more information here.
Puttenham Common
Puttenham Common is a large area with woodland, rolling hills and stunning views. It is not best suited to pushchairs but is accessible to children of walking age. More details can be found here.
Lakeside Valley Nature Reserve, Aldershot
This small nauture reserve is accessed from Laksedie Drive in Ash. Lakeside is a tranquil spot with a lovely view across the lake and reed bed. There is a family friendly 1.4km circular walk, with links to longer walks along the Blackwater Valley Path. Find more details of the walk here.
Gold Valley Lakes
Surrounded by woodlands, Gold Valley Lakes is a complex made up of five fishing lakes and is located between Ash and Aldershot.
To get to the site by car you have to drive off the beaten track and follow a long tree-lined road and over a little bridge.
Unless you are into fishing, you may never have ventured down there before, however it is home to a gorgeous café and members of the public are welcome to pop in even if they are not there to fish.
The café can be found on the edge of Lake Gold and has stunning views over the glistening water.
Thursley Nature Reserve
The first stretch of this walk follows a boardwalk trail, more than one metre wide with a handful of passing places so would be suitable for rugged pushchairs, giving a there-and-back walk of about 1.3 miles. Find more information here.
Rowhill Reserve to Caesars Camp
A full circular loop of Rowhill Nature Reserve is under 2 miles and passes through shaded woodland and past streams. From here you can walk a longer route by crossing into Caesar's Camp. A walking map can be found on Farnham Council's website.
Blackwater Valley Path, Aldershot
The Blackwater Valley path is a 23 mile river path running from its source in the Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot, through to Sandhurst and beyond. More details of the path can be found here.
The Sculpture Park, Churt
Although this isn't a free family walk, it is a fun and different one! The Sculpture Park plans to reopen to the public on 1st July. Find out information here.
