Queen Elizabeth Country Park 5.4

About –

The main facilities are open all year round and include a visitor centre with shop, café, theatre and activity area. There are two play areas, bbq sites, picnic areas and 20 miles of trail for walking, cycling and horse riding. Maps are available to purchase from the Visitor Centre shop.

Hampshires biggest Country Park with 2,000 acres of open access woodland and downland set within the South Downs National Park, including the Butser Hill National Nature Reserve.

Things to do –

Barbecues and Picnics

There are 11 family hearths in the forest which can be hired for set periods 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm, 3pm-5pm and 5pm-7pm at £10 per session. Each hearth caters for up to 12 people and comes with a picnic table. There are several group sites. There is a 10% discount for booking Monday to Thursday, excluding Bank Holidays. BBQ's are only permitted in the hearths provided.

All BBQ's can be booked online at www.hants.gov.uk/qecp

Short Routes
There are three permissive walking trails, which are clearly waymarked on the ground.
Short woodland trail 3km (1.9 miles)
Long woodland trail 8km (5 miles)
Downland trail 2.7km (1.7 miles)

Long distance paths
Staunton Way: Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Staunton Country Park 13.5km (8.5 miles) starts at the visitor centre
Hangers Way: Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Alton. 34 km (21.1 miles) starts at the visitor centre.
South Downs Way: This national bridleway passes through the Park and runs from Winchester to Eastbourne 161 km (100 miles)

Mountain bike trails
There are two permissive bike trails which are clearly waymarked on the ground. The Novice mountain - bike trail 6km (3.7 miles) and the Advanced mountain - bike trail 4.6miles.

Off road cycle trails
Two further trails start in the Park and lead out into the surrounding countryside. These use the rights of way network and some public roads. Queen Elizabeth 16km (10 miles), Meon Valley 16km (10 miles).

Adventure Play
Juniper Adventure Area - an extensive range of play equipment suitable for children aged eight and over.

Tots Play Area
A range of animal themed play equipment. For children 2-7 years old, the wooden play equipment has a woodland theme and include a lizard wobbly pole, grasshopper tunnel and toad slide.

Opening Times
10am – 5.30pm daily, British Summer Time
10am – 4.30pm daily, British Winter Time
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Café opens 10am weekdays, 9am at weekends.

Car parking
Vehicles up to and incl 15 seats £1.80 per hour and £3.50 per day, 7 days each week, including Bank Holidays
16 seats and more £12.50 per day
Season tickets £40
Blue Badge holder free
Forest Drive is locked at 8pm in the summer and 6pm in the winter. All cars after these times will need to be parked in the main Visitor Centre car park only.