Queen Elizabeth Country Park

[TeacherKS1]

Is anyone familiar with the layout of QECP?
My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary soon and, since their big party is not happening, I thought I'd surprise them with a picnic. They live near QECP.

DBro (lives with dp) is going to bring them to QECP for a "walk" and we will be waiting there for them.

However... Ive only been there once, with my parents, and don't know it at all. Idealy I'd like some sort of seat for my parents (elderly) but I can bring camping chairs. DF is mobile but will struggle walking too far uphill.

I'd really welcome any advice/tips please.

Thanks

[AgentProvocateur]

In Aberfoyle?

[TeacherKS1]

Sorry, in Hampshire

[wagtailred]

I only went once but it was pretty hilly from what i remember.

[RadioDorothy]

Just up the road from me OP - but embarrassingly I have only been there once or twice!

There is a car park and a café where you go in, but all the pathways up to the main park area are quite steep around there, as it is right on Butser.

I'd suggest Alice Holt Forest instead, if it's open? Much easier and flatter, and plenty of designated picnic areas. Parking will cost you a small child though.

[TeacherKS1]

RadioDorothy Is there not a car park at the top?

[AuntieStella]

How far is too far?

I've done the parkrun there (so you can tell it's not that recent!) and apart from an area right by the cafe/welcome centre/shop, it's all hills!

[RedDiamond]

They have quite a few bbq areas which you can drive your car up to. If I were you, I would give them a ring, explain about the mobility issues and they would then be able to point you in the direction of one of the bbq areas that has car access.

[Ocies]

I haven't been there for a while but there are definitely various car parks.

There is a map here: www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/qecp/explore

[TeacherKS1]

RedDiamond That's a good idea, thank you

[DiddlySquatty]

Are there kids in your party?
I like the top car park (drive past the visitors centre at the bottom and follow up as far as you can go. There’s nice wooden play equipment up there and easy walking from the car park. I personally don’t like the areas nearer the bottom and where the proper bbq fields are as they are right next to the A3 which I think spoils it somewhat!

[TeacherKS1]

Yes, 2 boys aged 9 and 12. The top car park sounds perfect, thank you. Do you know if the car parks are named?

[salema]

www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/qecp/explore

If you scroll down this page you’ll see you can book a bbq area?

[salema]

Also the car park we’ve used after mistakenly parking at the bottom of a mountain with 2 toddlers is as follows (sorry don’t know if it has a name):

If travelling south on A3, take left exit for the country park. Don’t enter the car park immediately ahead but take the narrow road on the right beside the car park and follow it as far as you can until you meet the top car park. There is a grassy area there including some picnic tables.

[Bigsighall]

There’s a few car parks where you can park next to paths / seating areas. The third one up has a bbq area but I think you have to book them. Right at the top car park there’s some benches. It is hilly but accessible by car so not too much of a problem

[TeacherKS1]

Wonderful, that's really helpful, thanks everyone.

[LadyGAgain]

You (pre covid) can hire one of the BBQ areas. The one at the top (juniper I think) is huge and well worth it and it's only about £40. The assault course is brilliant. Great idea for your folks! Hope you have fun!