Holly Hill Woodland Park

What it’s like

Free waymarked woodland walks past lakes and old garden features, with routes from 50 minutes to two hours.

This is a walking day, not a ticket-and-queue day. Waymarked routes wind through woodland, around lakes and past historic garden features, and you pick a route that suits how much time and patience you've got, anything from 50 minutes to two hours by their own reckoning. There's no entry fee, which makes it an easy one to add to a weekend without checking your bank balance first.

It's self-guided, so there's no set start time and no session to rush back for. Younger kids will probably want to stop at every lake to peer in, and that's fine, nobody's timing you. The paths are gravel with some steep slopes in places, so a buggy will work but you'll feel it on the inclines, and it's not the place for wheels that need a smooth surface.

Dogs are welcome on leads, with the lead rule specifically to protect the wildlife around the lakes. There's a picnic area if you want to make a morning of it, and the car park at Barnes Lane has over 80 spaces including disabled bays. Barnes Close has more limited parking but sits closer in for easier wheelchair access.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Large car park at Barnes Lane with over 80 spaces including disabled bays

Dogs

Allowed on leads around lakes to protect local wildlife

• Routes are self-guided, so you can turn up any time and pick your own pace
• Gravel paths and steep sections in spots, so wear proper shoes
• Barnes Lane car park has over 80 spaces; Barnes Close is smaller but closer for wheelchair access
• Bring a picnic, there's a picnic area on site

Plan your visit

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