Basingstoke and the surround areas have numerous parks and open spaces to relax and explore.
Basing Lime Pits
Once part of a private estate, the Lime Pits now provides an opportunity for walking, playing and picnicking. 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.
Beggarwood Park
Is situated to the south west of Basingstoke, and mainly serves the communities of Hatch Warren and Beggarwood. It was originally identified and developed as public open space to support new housing development in the area. Facilities include a play area, an outdoor gym, a maze and amphitheatre, all linked by a good footpath network.
Binfields Woodland Park
A woodland accessed by foot from Reading Road, St Joseph’s Crescent and Simon’s Close. It has many paths through it as well as seating and “hidden” environmental art.
Black Dam Ponds
The ponds provide a haven for wildlife. The site offers picnic facilities and links via an underpass to Crabtree Open Space and Black Dam Ponds Nature Reserve.
Brighton Hill Playing Fields
Provides a range of sporting facilities including six football pitches and changing rooms.
Burney Bit, Pamber
A green space includes an open grass area as well as 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.
Carpenters Down Open Space
Open space offering sporting facilities for basketball and bowls. Nature trails and walks lead through the woodland to Sherborne St John. The site also boasts an excellent community centre, which provides a number of events and activities for local people.
Chineham Park
Children’s play area, a half pipe skate facility and an outdoor gym trail. Historically the park hosted a popular outdoor paddling pool facility for the local community. In 2016 the paddling pool was converted into a fun and engaging children’s splash pad facility (opened during the summer months).
Crabtree Plantation
Woodland, a mixture of oak, horse chestnut, sycamore and ash, with many informal footpaths. The grassland is managed for flowering plants and it’s an important site for butterflies.
Eastrop Park
Boating lake, cafe, tree trail, trim trail, children’s play area and a paddling pool in Eastrop Park. Eastrop Park has been awarded the Green Flag Award for 2018 to 2019.
The River Loddon runs through the park, feeding into a balancing pond in the wildlife area. A programme of events run throughout the summer is advertised in the What’s On guide on the Destination Basingstoke website.
Glebe Gardens
Close to the town, opposite the Anvil, Glebe Gardens once belonged to the rectory, Chute House. The River Loddon winds through the willow trees.
Hatch Warren Park
An informal park with a children’s play area and is ideal for walking, informal exercise and play.
Hatch Warren Playing Fields
Has facilities for football and tennis, as well as changing rooms. The site also boasts an excellent community centre, which provides a number of events and activities for local people.
King George V Playing Fields
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. A footpath and cycleway link the park to the supermarket and other pedestrian and cycle networks to the west. There is seating and space for picnics and relaxation.
Oakridge Playing Fields
Has a children’s play area, skate ramp, football pitches with changing rooms and ample space for walking. These playing fields are ideal for formal and informal recreation.
Old Down
A green space to the south of Gabriel Park accessed by foot from Firecrest Road and with a small car park next to the community building at the end of Old Kempshott Lane. It is mostly managed for wildlife conservation, particularly chalk grassland species, but also contains a play area for younger children. There are paths through the site, which connect to the wider footpath network, as well as seating and interpretation. The green space is managed in partnership with the Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group.
Pamber Forest, Pamber
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.
Popley Community Park (formerly Aldermaston Road open space)
The council is developing a new neighbourhood park at the western end of Abbey Road in Popley. It includes two new 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.
Rooksdown Park
Located in Rooksdown off Park Prewett Road next to the Community Centre. The park was originally part of the Park Prewett Hospital and included a cricket pitch. It now 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.
Russell Howard Park
Offers netball courts, three football pitches, a cricket pitch, two bowling greens and changing rooms and a play area.
Sherborne Road Playing Fields
Provides sports pitches, changing rooms and a children’s play area.
Sherfield Park
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.
Southdown Road, Tadley
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.
Stratton Park
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.
Tadley Common
This is a heathland 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. There is a trim trail and 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.
Tewkesbury Close open space
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 an outdoor fitness trail.
Victory Park
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.
War Memorial Park
This historic Georgian park, has an attractive parkland landscape of mature trees and garden features, to walk and relax in. It also has a bandstand, play area, BMX/skatepark, sports pitches and all-weather tennis courts run by Totally Tennis. The park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, some are organised by the council, or community organisations.
West Ham Park
Home to Basingstoke Golf Centre, the site has a Par 3 golf course. It also has a 24 bay floodlit driving range and putting green. There is also a play area nearby.
Whiteditch Playing Fields
Open space and a children’s play area located on the site.
Wigmore Heath, Baughurst
This green space includes a large area of heathland, 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
Winklebury Playing Fields
A large park with football pitches, cycle and skateboard ramps, basketball courts, changing rooms and play area. A cycleway and footpath run through the park link to the Leisure Park and town centre.
