A few weeks ago I heard about Stoke Park Woods on the news, the woods were under threat of being built on to make way for housing and new roads. I hadn’t heard of these woods, so took to Google to find out more. Only to find a large wood that I have never visited, and didn’t even know they were there!
UPDATE: You’ll be pleased to hear that the woods themselves are safe but it’s the wider area of scenic farms, footpaths and bridleways at risk. Here’s a link that will tell you more about the area and our campaign.
So we took a visit out to Stoke Park Woods, and to see what it was like.
A perfect place for an easy family walk
With a small car park near the start, and set right on the edge of a residential area, Stoke Park Wood was very easy to find.
We headed off along a path, not knowing what we were going to find. The kids were quite happy exploring a new wood, and Gus had plenty of space to run about.
The paths were gravel paths, of course, muddy as it is winter, but not like walking through paths of thick mud. Then dotted around were little areas for the kids, we found a wooded area where someone had made a den, which of course intrigued them to explore and find more sticks to add to the den. However, it also was a perfect place to play ‘manhunt’ ‘tag’ and lots of games. Hiding behind trees, bushes and hidden areas.
Then we carried on walking around the paths, there are a few picnic benches dotted around so we will be back in the summer with a picnic! Also, they are making a mountain biking area, which looks really good and will keep loads of kids happy once it is open and I can see it being very popular.
There was a wooden climbing wall, which went down very well with the kids.
A large wooden climbing boat, bars to walk along and fireman poles to slide down!
The last play area on our route was a large wooden den, with peepholes and climbing steps to climb all over it.
Stoke Park Woods was a great find, the walk is long enough if you are looking for somewhere close to burn off some energy, or just to get out for a bit, and perfect to walk the dog around too. This was just one path, there are more paths that we haven’t explored yet.
Pictures Taken in Late 2016
Tips For Stoke Park Woods
- Small parking area
- Great for dog walking, running, kids picnic area, play area for kids and walkers
- Plenty of different walking routes
- No toilets
- Gravel paths
16 Comments
What a shame they are looking to knock somewhere as beautiful as this down and the play equipment int here looks amazing. Who wouldn’t love a walk in a woods like this with wonderful natural and bespoke play ideas along the way. I do hope they find another location for their houses.
Very pleased the photos were found, a lovely walk to share on #CountryKids
Oh what a wonderful space, far too nice to become a building site! Looks like so much fun and such a lovely way to spend a weekend. #countrykids
Oh this looks fab, a really great place to get out and enjoy and fab for various ages with the bits to climb on etc!
What a kid friendly wood! I love all the apparatus for them to climb on!
what gorgeous woods it would be a huge shame to build houses on such a lovely area.
We love woods and this looks like such an amazing space. Love all of the wooden climbing frames and play areas that you found. It is such a shame that these woods are at threat, I hope that they are saved as it looks like such an idyllic place for a walk or somewhere fun and naturetastic that children can enjoy especially with the bespoke play things.
The play equipment here looks absolutely amazing. It seems like a perfect place for a walk, what a shame it is under threat 🙁 #countrykids
What a lovely place, my kids would love all the climbing equipment #countrykids
How lovely to find somewhere new to explore. I love the play areas – that wooden climbing wall looks like so much fun and my girls would love the wooden den. Hope the woods can be saved – they look like a wonderful place for a family day out 🙂 #countrykids
This place looks fab. Think my hubby would love it as much as the kids and dog x
Oh wow ! That’s an absolutely beautiful place to go for s walk.
That giant wooden teepee-like climbing frame would make my children jealous – looks like so much fun
What an amazing place to visit & it’s such a shame that places like these are under threat. I think everyone deserves to have a place like this they can explore and be around nature. I hope they’re saved for now and the next generation
#CountryKids
This looks such a lovely place. Shame for it to be knocked down
I love a good wood walk! This looks so pretty and relaxing. That wooden den looks so much fun. My toddler would run wild on it!x
So glad you enjoyed our woods. You’ll be pleased to hear that the woods themselves are safe but it’s the wider area of scenic farms, footpaths and bridleways at risk. Here’s a link that will tell you more about the area and our campaign. https://www.facebook.com/Bishopstoke-Fair-Oak-Local-Green-Space-942574492497466/
Oh that is great news to know that the woods are safe! Phew! But rubbish that the surrounding areas are at risk, I am sure a lot of people use them to explore and all the wildlife. Thanks for taking the time to comment and letting me know.