Alice Holt Forest
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Alice Holt Forest

4.6
·1k reviews·, United Kingdom

A beautiful woodland escape offering family fun, adventure activities, and scenic trails for walking and cycling.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
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Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beautiful woodland escape offering family fun, adventure activities, and scenic trails for walking and cycling.

4.6
(1k reviews)

"Fantastic family day out with plenty of shaded trails and engaging activities for kids!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking Costs

Parking can be pricey for short visits (£15 for 5 hours). Consider membership for free parking. 🅿️

🎾 Marble Run Balls

Bring a heavier ball than a tennis ball for the marble runs; they often get stuck or bounce off. :game_die:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 1,137 reviews

Type

National Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Gruffalo Trail

The Gruffalo Trail

Forest trails

Follow the enchanting trail to discover wooden sculptures of characters from The Gruffalo book. Perfect for little ones!

Marble Runs

Marble Runs

Various points on trails

Engage with interactive wooden marble runs. Purchase a ball for £8 to enjoy this unique and fun activity.

Reddit
Disc Golf

Disc Golf

Designated course

Try your hand at disc golf! Rent discs for £3.50 and enjoy a fun, challenging game amidst the trees.

Reddit
Playgrounds & Adventure

Playgrounds & Adventure

Near visitor centre

Discover exciting play areas for children, including the popular marble run and climbing structures. Go Ape offers aerial adventures.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Family Fun & Parking

Alice Holt Forest is a fantastic spot for families, with plenty of shaded trails and playgrounds. Parking can be pricey for short visits, but membership offers free parking. Consider bringing your own heavier ball for the marble runs as tennis balls may not work well. Reddit

Trail Variety & Activities

Explore diverse trails, including the popular Gruffalo Trail for younger kids. Disc golf and Go Ape offer more adventurous options. Note that some play equipment is geared towards children over 5. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
Summer afternoons
Why
Shaded by trees
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends (early)
Why
Beat the rush
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Just moved to Surrey and have a three year old daughter. What good days out are nearby?

Thank you in advance!

🚗 Parking Costs

Parking can be pricey for short visits (£15 for 5 hours). Consider membership for free parking. Reddit 🅿️

🎾 Marble Run Balls

Bring a heavier ball than a tennis ball for the marble runs; they often get stuck or bounce off. Reddit :game_die:

🚶‍♀️ No Litter Bins

Alice Holt is a 'litter bin free' park. Be prepared to take your rubbish home with you. Reddit ♻️

🐶 Dog Friendly

The forest welcomes dogs, with water bowls and a shower available for your furry friends. Reddit 🐕

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking Costs

Parking can be pricey for short visits (£15 for 5 hours). Consider membership for free parking. Reddit 🅿️

🎾 Marble Run Balls

Bring a heavier ball than a tennis ball for the marble runs; they often get stuck or bounce off. Reddit :game_die:

🚶‍♀️ No Litter Bins

Alice Holt is a 'litter bin free' park. Be prepared to take your rubbish home with you. Reddit ♻️

🐶 Dog Friendly

The forest welcomes dogs, with water bowls and a shower available for your furry friends. Reddit 🐕

👟 Comfortable Shoes

Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking and exploring the forest trails. :athletic_shoe:

What Travellers Say

4.6
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Alice Holt Forest as a fantastic destination for families, highlighting the engaging activities like the Gruffalo Trail and marble runs. The shaded woodland setting is a major plus, especially on hot days. However, some find the parking fees to be quite high for shorter visits, and the 'litter bin free' policy requires visitors to be mindful of waste disposal.

"We had a fantastic family day !! It’s was hot day like 29-30 degrees. They have got plenty of tree shade. It was ok for 2hours bike trip! My little on is 2.5years , she loves the trip and all of play ground. Specially, the marble run!! This is a great place. She absolutely loved it.
Car parking 🅿️ price was 5hours for about £15! I think it is reasonable price (membership available free car parking ) and the wooden marble is £8
I do recommend to buy one , if you have little one! They will love it 😍 we will come back !!"

JOE JOE

"Great place to spend the weekend with kids. It was really busy on Saturday noon. Parking was almost full but they got an overflow parking space as well. Lovely trails. Make sure you grab a ball for the ball in a maze puzzle you're gonna find in every trail. Parking is a bit expensive. Go ape inside the park is a nice one with net adventure for kids. Kids were happy to grab the yo yo bear for free (might be some promotion). There's no litter bin as the park is a litter bin free one i guess. Overall a great experience!!"

Anil Jose

"This is a fantastic forest to explore. There are many trails you can take to enjoy the great outdoors. We loved The Gruffalo Trail seeing all the sculptures. It’s not a very long trail so perfect for little ones. We also tried disc golf for the first time which was good fun, although we weren’t very good at it. You throw a frisbee towards a chain net on a pole, 9 of those in total make up the course. Each one tells you how many throws you should aim to get it in. It’s £3.50 for each disc hire & you are given a score sheet & pencil to mark your progress.
The cafe was not open when we visited but they had a double decker bus selling hot drinks, cold drinks & food items to keep you going. Toilets on site. Very dog friendly. Go ape on also on site & play areas for the kids. Will be back to try some other trails in the near future."

The G Force

What People Like

Great for families
Shaded woodland
Interactive activities

What People Dislike

Expensive parking
No litter bins

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Alice Holt Forest is located near Farnham, Surrey, and Bordon, Hampshire. It's accessible by car via the A325. For public transport, you can take a train to Farnham station and then a bus or taxi. Reddit

Yes, Alice Holt Forest makes a great day trip from London. It's about an hour's drive, offering a refreshing escape into nature. Reddit

The nearest towns are Farnham in Surrey and Bordon in Hampshire. These towns offer amenities and further transport links. Reddit

Cycling routes are available, and the forest itself has dedicated cycle paths. It's a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts. 🚲

Yes, there is ample parking available, including an overflow area. However, parking fees apply and can be expensive for short stays. Reddit 🅿️

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the forest itself is free. However, there are charges for parking and for specific activities like Go Ape and disc golf hire. Reddit

The forest is generally open daily from dawn till dusk. Specific facilities like the cafe or Go Ape may have their own operating hours. :clock1:

Parking fees vary depending on the duration of your stay. A 5-hour stay can cost around £15, but membership offers free parking. Reddit :moneybag:

Yes, a membership is available which includes free car parking, making it cost-effective for frequent visitors. 🎟️

It is highly recommended to book activities like Go Ape in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred time slot. 📅

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The Gruffalo Trail is excellent for younger children, featuring wooden sculptures. Many trails are shaded and suitable for short walks. Reddit

Yes, there are several play areas, including climbing structures and the popular marble runs. Some equipment is best suited for children over 5. Reddit :child:

You can purchase a special ball for £8 to use on the interactive wooden marble run structures located throughout the forest. Reddit :game_die:

Yes, disc golf is available. You can hire discs for £3.50 and play on the 9-hole course. It's a fun and unique activity. Reddit :frisbee:

Absolutely! Alice Holt Forest is very dog-friendly, with water bowls and a dog shower available for your pets. Reddit 🐕

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

While the main cafe may not always be open, there's often a double-decker bus selling hot and cold drinks, as well as food items. Reddit

Yes, there are plenty of picnic tables available throughout the forest, making it a great spot for a family picnic. :sandwich:

The double-decker bus typically offers a selection of hot drinks, cold beverages, and various food items to keep you fueled. Reddit

Options may vary, but it's common for refreshment stands to offer some basic vegetarian choices. It's best to check on the day. :leafy_green:

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks for picnics. :apple:

📸 📸 Photography

The Gruffalo Trail offers charming photo opportunities with the sculptures. The forest canopy and various trails also provide beautiful natural backdrops. :camerawithflash:

Yes, the dense tree cover provides ample shade, making it easier to capture well-exposed photos even on bright, sunny days. Reddit

While there aren't designated viewpoints, many of the winding trails and clearings offer picturesque scenes. Explore different paths for unique shots. :mountain_camera:

A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. For nature photography, a lens with good zoom capabilities can be useful for capturing wildlife or distant forest scenes. :iphone:

Spectators can take photos from designated areas on the ground. Participants on Go Ape may have restrictions on camera use for safety reasons. 📷

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