Crabtree Plantation
Basingstoke
Children will enjoy two play areas, a duck pond, zip line, tree climbing and a stream for paddling on this walk.
Children can access a stream where they will enjoy playing in the water
The Basics
Time: 45 mins
Distance: 2.7 km / 1.7 miles
Terrain: Flat woodland paths and gravelled paths.
Pushchair: Pushchairs should easily make it around this route.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk but should avoid zoned areas with ground nesting birds.
Refreshments: There are a few picnic benches.
Toilets: There are no public toilets.
Public Transport: Use Stagecoach service 10 between Chineham and Old Basing or service 13 between Whitehill, Alton and Basingstoke and alight at Dickens Lane where it is a short walk to Crabtree Plantation.
Parking: Bolton Arch car park off the A30, free (Postcode: RG24 7JB - W3W: ///rocks.wicked.surely)
The ducks at Black Dam Ponds
A little oasis sandwiched between some big roads, Crabtree Plantation manages to hide its surroundings well. You soon forget the motorway is so close as you walk through the woodland, open green spaces, splash in the stream and enjoy the play areas.
The Route
Starting in the car park, with your back to the road, do not go through the arch, but instead take the path on your right heading into the woodland parallel to the road. On the path, you will spot markers for a ‘Run England’ running track. You should follow these marker posts through the entire woodland section, keeping in the same direction.
You will eventually emerge into a large, open green space that seems popular with dog owners and has a few picnic benches scattered around. Follow the gravelled path down the hill to where you will find a climbing frame, swing and zip line. This equipment is well suited to older children.
To the right of the play area is a path going into the trees. If you follow this, you will soon have the option to turn right. Doing this will take you on a short diversion, via an underpass, to Black Dam Ponds. Here you will find a duck pond as well as a park with equipment more suitable to younger children. Return the way you came, via the underpass again and then turn right when back in the trees.
Shortly, you will see a break in the trees to your left and a path heading back into the open space. Just on your left here are some steps that will take you to a dam in the stream, which is great for some water play.
Past the dam, the path opens back out into the open space and you can navigate your way back to the car park by walking up the slope and keeping the woodland to your left.
At the plantation boundary, a left turn will take you under the arch and back to the car park.
Did you know?
Bolton arch, erected around 1820, was built as an entrance to Hackwood Park, a large country estate. The M3 now cuts the entranceway off from the rest of the property. The whole place was put on the market a few years ago with an estimated asking price of around £65 million!
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this easy little walk at another green space oasis in Basingstoke at Beggarwood Park
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