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

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful

Alice Holt Forest
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beautiful woodland escape offering family fun, adventure activities, and scenic trails for walking and cycling.
"Fantastic family day out with plenty of shaded trails and engaging activities for kids!"

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

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

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

Playgrounds & Adventure
Near visitor centre
Discover exciting play areas for children, including the popular marble run and climbing structures. Go Ape offers aerial adventures.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Family Fun & Parking
Trail Variety & Activities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Just moved to Surrey and have a three year old daughter. What good days out are nearby?
🚗 Parking Costs
Parking can be pricey for short visits (£15 for 5 hours). Consider membership for free parking. :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:
🚶♀️ No Litter Bins
Alice Holt is a 'litter bin free' park. Be prepared to take your rubbish home with you. :recycle:
🐶 Dog Friendly
The forest welcomes dogs, with water bowls and a shower available for your furry friends. :dog:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Costs
Parking can be pricey for short visits (£15 for 5 hours). Consider membership for free parking. :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:
🚶♀️ No Litter Bins
Alice Holt is a 'litter bin free' park. Be prepared to take your rubbish home with you. :recycle:
🐶 Dog Friendly
The forest welcomes dogs, with water bowls and a shower available for your furry friends. :dog:
👟 Comfortable Shoes
Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking and exploring the forest trails. :athletic_shoe:
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
Yes, Alice Holt Forest makes a great day trip from London. It's about an hour's drive, offering a refreshing escape into nature.
The nearest towns are Farnham in Surrey and Bordon in Hampshire. These towns offer amenities and further transport links.
Cycling routes are available, and the forest itself has dedicated cycle paths. It's a popular destination for cycling enthusiasts. :bike:
Yes, there is ample parking available, including an overflow area. However, parking fees apply and can be expensive for short stays. :parking:
🎫 🎫 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.
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. :moneybag:
Yes, a membership is available which includes free car parking, making it cost-effective for frequent visitors. :ticket:
It is highly recommended to book activities like Go Ape in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred time slot. :calendar:
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Gruffalo Trail is excellent for younger children, featuring wooden sculptures. Many trails are shaded and suitable for short walks.
Yes, there are several play areas, including climbing structures and the popular marble runs. Some equipment is best suited for children over 5. :child:
You can purchase a special ball for £8 to use on the interactive wooden marble run structures located throughout the forest. :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. :frisbee:
Absolutely! Alice Holt Forest is very dog-friendly, with water bowls and a dog shower available for your pets. :dog:
🍽️ 🍽️ 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. :coffee:
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.
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.
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. :camera:
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Young Children
Consider a weekday visit to avoid the busiest times. While parking can be expensive for short trips, the joy and entertainment for kids often make it a worthwhile expense. Membership is a great option if you plan to visit multiple times.
🌳 Nature Enthusiasts & Hikers
Keep an eye out for local wildlife and enjoy the changing seasons. The forest's natural beauty is a key draw for visitors seeking a tranquil experience. Remember to wear appropriate footwear for the trails and be prepared for the 'litter bin free' policy by bringing your own bags for waste. :recycle:
🏃♀️ Active Adventurers
Another engaging activity is disc golf, a fun and unique sport that combines elements of frisbee and golf. You can rent discs on-site and play a round on the designated course. For cyclists, the forest offers extensive cycle paths suitable for various skill levels. :frisbee: :bike:
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Trails
For those seeking more active pursuits, dedicated cycle paths wind through the forest, offering a great way to cover more ground and enjoy the scenery. The forest also offers opportunities for walking and running, with routes ranging from short, easy strolls to longer, more challenging circuits. Remember to wear comfortable footwear suitable for uneven terrain. :athletic_shoe:
It's worth noting that while many trails are accessible, some play equipment is designed for children over 5 years old. Always check signage for suitability and enjoy the diverse natural beauty Alice Holt has to offer.
Family Activities & Entertainment
Beyond the marble runs, there are playgrounds with climbing frames and other engaging features. For the adventurous, Go Ape offers treetop adventures with zip lines and obstacle courses, though this is an additional cost and can be pricey. The disc golf course is another unique activity, with disc hire available for a small fee, providing a fun challenge for all ages. :child:
Many visitors highlight the joy their children experience here, with specific mentions of the playgrounds and interactive elements. The forest's natural setting also provides ample space for free play and exploration, making it a well-rounded destination for a family day out.
Practicalities: Parking, Food & Facilities
Regarding food and drink, while a cafe may not always be operational, a double-decker bus often serves hot and cold beverages and snacks. Alternatively, the numerous picnic tables make it an ideal spot to bring your own food and enjoy a meal amidst nature. Remember that Alice Holt is a 'litter bin free' park, so be prepared to take all your rubbish home with you. :recycle:
Facilities include toilets located near the entrance. The forest is also very dog-friendly, offering water bowls and a shower for canine companions. :dog:






Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit