Zebon Copse
Children will enjoy the amazing trim trail play area, the boardwalks over the mire and walking beside the canal.
The Basics
Time: 30 minutes around the copse, plus about 45 minutes to go to Crookham Wharf and back
Distance: 1.2 km around the copse, plus an optional 3 km to Crookham Wharf and back
Terrain: Woodland paths, boardwalks and tow path
Pushchair: Although not perfect as the paths and boardwalks are narrow in places, we know people who have made it around with one
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: You could walk along the tow path to The Exchequer in Church Crookham Village. It is family-friendly and we love the look of their outdoor area.
Toilets: There are toilets on the side of the community centre but they are only open when sports clubs etc are using the field
Parking: Free car park at The Zebon Centre (Postcode: GU52 0ZE - W3W: recital/repeating/judges)
This unique little walk packs so much into a small space. There is a copse with bluebells and wildflowers, a boardwalk over a mire, a toddlers play area, an amazing trim trail for older children and a bridge that takes you out onto the Basingstoke Canal.
The Route
Exit the car park and walk back towards the Zebon housing estate. As you exit, you will immediately cross a path, called Water Lane, running from left to right. Turn left here and the path will take you down into Zebon Copse.
Continue in a straight line into the woodland until you reach a meeting of paths and a notice board directly ahead of you that details some of the flora growing in the area. You will also see a map of the walking route. There are more of these maps scattered along the way and it is really easy to follow a simple circuit around the mire and copse using them. The walk is relatively short and there are not a great deal of path options, meaning it is hard to go wrong. You will pass along boardwalks over the mire, where in summer bog plants flower. You will then go along paths through the copse, where you should spot some bluebells in spring. The route will take you back around to Water Lane leading out to the car park.
We suggest two additions to your walk. The first is to visit the play areas at Zebon Recreation Ground beside The Zebon Centre where you parked. You will find young a children’s play area just behind the building. The older children’s play area is to your left if you were facing the football pitches and is sort of hidden by the hedge. It has a long wooden trim trail assault course and a large synthetic rock with climbing holds.
The second diversion can be found when standing at the first noticeboard of the route above. When you look left here, you will see the white railings of a bridge over the Basingstoke Canal. It is well worth adding this to the beginning or end of your walk. We turned left at the canal and walked along the tow path, passing lovely countryside, spectacular homes and brick bridges until we reached Crookham Wharf. There is a grassy picnic area and car park at this point. If you go right along the road a hundred metres, you will come to the pub mentioned above. For the most scenic route, return the way you came beside the canal and rejoin the Zebon Copse circuit. Look out as you go for a section of the river down the steep bank where children can enjoy a paddle.
Did you know?
There is evidence of there having been woodland at Zebon since 1600. Many wildflower species found here, such as bluebells, are slow to colonise and are used as ‘ancient woodland indicators’. So if you are seeing lots of them, it proves they have been here for a long time.
