Local parks and open spaces

Once part of a private estate, the Lime Pits now provide an opportunity for walking, playing and picnicking. The play area includes a 30-metre zip wire, a tractor multi-play unit and a challenging agility trail. The site forms part of the Basingstoke Canal Heritage Footpath Trail, running across Basingstoke common and finishing at Basing House. It follows a route rich in wildlife and cultural heritage

Location: RG24 7HB

Car parking: The Lime Pits has two free of charge car parks. The gate at both car parks will be closed from 8pm to 6am from April to 31 October and from 6pm to 6am from 1 November to 31 March. Failure to leave the car park on time may result in your vehicle being locked in. If you are locked in, please follow the instructions left on your vehicle. A £50 charge is payable to facilitate a release. Call Kingdom on 07887247974 to arrange release.

View the disabled access guide for Basing Lime Pits.

A woodland park with paths running through. It features a number of metal sculptures and wood carvings and has seating available.

Location: RG24 8ET

Getting there: The park can only be accessed by foot. Access is possible from Reading Road, St Joseph’s Crescent, Simon’s Close and Chineham Shopping Centre.

The ponds provide a haven for wildlife, particularly Waterfowl including Tufted ducks, Coots and Kingfishers. The site offers picnic facilities and links via an underpass to Crabtree Open Space and Black Dam Ponds Nature Reserve.

Location: RG21 3QR

Getting there: The ponds can be accessed by car or foot from Black Dam Way. There is limited free parking on site.

View the disabled access guide for Black Dam Ponds.

Originally part of the Hackwood Estate, 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 informal footpaths. The grassland is managed for flowering plants.

An important site for butterflies due to its south facing position, woodland and grassland habitat. The elms are particularly important as a resting and breeding place for the beautiful and rare White Letter Hairstreak.

Location: RG24 7JB

Car parking: The gate at Bolton Arch will be closed from 8pm to 6am from April to 31 October and from 6pm to 6am from 1 November to 31 March. Failure to leave the car park on time may result in your vehicle being locked in. If you are locked in, please follow the instructions left on your vehicle. A £50 charge is payable to facilitate a release. Call Kingdom on 07887247974 to arrange release.

View the disabled access guide for Crabtree Plantation.

The site has six football pitches, changing rooms and on site parking.

Location: RG22 4EQ

Getting there: The playing fields can be accessed by foot or car. There is free parking on site. There is a bus stop a short walk from the fields.

View the disabled access guide for Brighton Hill playing fields.

This green space has an open grass area and a play area suitable for toddlers and older children including a ground level slide. A network of paved paths provides access from several of the surrounding streets.

Location: RG26 3TL

Situated next to Basing Wood, which is managed by the Forestry Commission. This site has open space for informal play and a multi games area (MUGA) for ball games such as basketball and tennis. Nature trails and walks lead through the woodland to Sherborne St John. The site is home to Marnell Bowling Club and Popley Fields Community centre.

Location: RG24 9AE

View the disabled access guide for Carpenters Down Open Space.

The park has an open grass area, a splash pad (open from April to September), outdoor gym and play park. The play park includes a climbing and sheltering hut, toddler multi-play unit, group swings, a tree detective play panel and a wheelchair accessible roundabout.

The splash pad is now open for 2026. On Wednesdays the splash pad will not open until midday to allow for maintenance and water monitoring. If temporary closures are required for deep cleaning or additional water treatment, we will provide updates on our play areas webpage and on our social media channels.

Location: RG24 9BL

Car parking: Parking is available off Chineham Park Court

View the disabled access guide for Chineham Park

This open space with tree and shrub planting includes a trim trail, a kickabout area, paths and benches.

Location: RG21 3NR

Follow this link for information about Eastrop Park.

View the disabled access guide for Eastrop Park

The grounds of Glebe Gardens originally formed the lawns and meadows of the rectory of St Michaels Church. The gardens have many old trees and in the spring snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils grow amongst the grass around the trees. The River Loddon winds through the willow trees. Seating is available in the park.

Location: RG21 7QT

Getting there: The park is a short walk from the town centre. Churchill Way car park is the closest parking but it is accessible from the town centre car parks.

Find more information about the history of Glebe Gardens

An informal park with open green space and a children’s play area. It is ideal for walking, informal exercise and play. There are no marked footpaths.

Location: RG22 4JA

Getting there: There is limited free parking but the route from the car park to the entrance is not accessible for wheelchairs. The car park has limited parking and a height restriction barrier of 200 metres.

View the disabled access guide for Hatch Warren Park.

The playing fields have open space for informal play, walking and picnicking. For more formal play there are two 9v9 football pitches and changing rooms for hire through our Sports facilities to hire webpage.

There is a multi-use games area (MUGA) that can be used to play football, tennis or basketball. The Hatch Warren Community Centre is also on site offering a number of events and activities for the local people.

Location: RG22 4XF

Getting there: Accessible by foot or car from Long Cross Lane. There is free parking on site.

This park was created to celebrate the reign of King George V. It contains a play area for younger children as well as space for informal ball games and outdoor gym equipment. There is seating and space for picnics and relaxation.

Location: RG21 7RA

Getting there: The park can be accessed on foot from Deep Lane. A footpath and cycleway link the park to the supermarket and other pedestrian and cycle networks.

A green open space for informal play with seating, a children’s play area and footpaths for walking and running.

Location: RG21 5PR

Getting there: Pedestrian and cycle access from Shooters Way, Lyford Road, Norden Close and from the rear of the Railway Station close to the North Yard Car Park entrance.

Has a children’s play area, basketball net and open space playing fields ideal for informal recreation.

Location: RG21 5RX

Getting there: There is footpath access from Oakridge Road and through the subways from Waveridge Road and Shakespeare Road.

This site of planted woodland and open grassland with wonderful views is managed by the Old Down Wildlife group. Paths cross through the site and connect to a wider footpath network, making it ideal for walking. There is a wooded area that edges one side of the park, some seating and a play area for young children.

Location: RG22 5UL

Getting there: Footpath access from Winchester Road (A30), Firecrest Road and Kempshott Lane. A small amount of parking can be found at the top of Kempshott Lane by Old Down Community Centre

A large ancient woodland with heath and wood pasture, rich in butterflies, bees and birds.

The Forest is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) and they have produced a guide to Pamber Forest and a self-guided trail to follow.

Cattle are used to graze some of the woodland pasture and there is advice on the HIWWT website about visiting the forest walking your dog and walking amongst cattle

GPS walking and cycle routes

For latest news and events for Pamber Forest Nature Reserve - Quarterly Newsletter visit HIWWT website.

This neighbourhood park at the western end of Abbey Road in Popley includes two play areas and a multi-use games area. There are paths and seating including picnic tables as well as areas managed for wildlife. There is parking accessible from Popley Way which includes disabled parking bays.

Located in Rooksdown off Park Prewett Road next to the Community Centre. The park was originally part of the Park Prewett Hospital. It contains a play area suitable for children up to 11 years old plus a skate park. There are footpaths and seating around an open grass area suitable for informal recreation and relaxation. Areas of the park area managed to encourage wildlife including wildflower areas and the park is surrounded by mature trees.

Offers netball courts, three football pitches, a cricket pitch, two bowling greens and changing rooms and a play area.

Provides sports pitches, changing rooms and a children’s play area.

This park is located on the north side of the Sherfield Park housing development. It is accessed via Gaiger Avenue or Amport Road. There are football pitches managed by the adjacent Community Centre as well as a play area for children aged 1 to 12 plus seating and space for relaxation.

This green space has a large area of grass for ball games and other informal activities as well as a play area which is suitable for toddlers and older children. There is also a separate single basketball hoop.

Location: RG26 4BT

Has three football pitches, a cricket pitch, six tennis courts and changing facilities with toilets (including disabled). There is a play area for children, space for informal recreation and a community centre on the site.

View the disabled access guide for Stratton Park.

This is a heathland with acid grassland, mire, gorse and scrub that supports many rare species of heathland plants, birds, reptiles and insects. The site is owned by a trust and is managed for the benefit of the people of Tadley.

The heathland includes a trim trail, skate ramps, a zip wire and multi-use games area located on the northern edge of the common at the junction of Silchester Road and Tadley Common Road.

Further information is available on the Tadley Town Council website.

A large open field situated between Tewkesbury Close and Pershore Road. The park has a cluster of large trees at its centre and is an ideal location for dog walkers. The park contains a small children’s play area and also has an outdoor fitness trail encouraging people to be active.

Located in Brookvale, this park can be accessed from Glebe Gardens or via Lower Brook Street. It contains a play area suitable for children aged 1 to 11 on either side of the stream that runs through the park. There is seating and space for picnics and ball games. There is also outdoor Gym equipment which complements the equipment in King George V Playing Fields at the other end of Lower Brook Street.

Information about the War Memorial Park.

View the disabled access guide for the War Memorial Park.

Home to Basingstoke Golf Centre, the site has a 9-Hole Par 3 golf course. It also has a 24 bay floodlit driving range and Knights Realm Adventure Golf. There is also a play area nearby.

A large open space accessed from Sherborne Road, with a children's play area and small visitor car park.

There is a multi use games area for football and basketball, two table tennis tables and street fitness equipment. Woodland themed sculptures and totems chosen by pupils from Oakridge Junior School are present in the laying fields alongside seating, picnic tables and a new footpath around the perimeter.

Location: RG21 5UT

This green space includes a large area of heathland as well as woodland and a play area which is accessible along footpaths from Wigmore Road, Hanger Road and Shyshack Road. Next to the play area is a grass area suitable for picnicking and relaxing.

The heathland is managed for nature conservation and is important for heather and a variety of wildlife including lizards and many different species of bird.

This site is managed in partnership with the Friends of Wigmore Heath.

Location: RG26 4HL

A large park with football pitches, a multi use games area, changing rooms and play area. A cycleway and footpath run through the park link to the Leisure Park and town centre.

The following parks contain multi-use games areas/courts:

• Carpenters Down
• Popley Community Park
• Winklebury Playing Fields