Frimley Lodge Park

Frimley Lodge Park is a large outdoor country park with open fields, wooded trails and access to the Basingstoke Canal. Families mention a fenced playground, picnic spots, benches and space for ball games, plus a miniature railway that runs on selected Sundays. The big draw for children is the mix of simple, low-faff fun: the railway, the play area, canal spotting and loads of room to run about. Parents also seem happy with the value, because the park itself is free, parking is free, and there’s enough going on to fill a couple of hours without spending much. It’s also a strong choice for dog walkers. The main snag is the practical stuff. It can get busy at weekends, the café is only described as decent rather than special, and the car park closing time catches people out. If you go, check the gate times before you set off home, or you may end up with a rather less relaxing end to the day than intended.