National Trust - Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl Cafe
Hindhead, Sussex · Indoor Activity
The bit you came for
Our verdict
Kids
8.1/10
Age Fit 8 · Novelty 8
Parents
6.9/10
Value 7 · Seating 7
Big skies, good trails and decent extras; the café and car park are a bit of a faff.
The long read worth saving for nap time
What’s it actually like?
Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl is a National Trust site built for walking, cycling and generally burning off small people. Reviewers mention quiet paths, hill climbs into the bowl, lovely views and a bit of local curiosity too, with the old A3 tunnel underneath adding a dash of “well, that’s different”. For families, the appeal is the open space and the extras. People mention picnic tables, a decent-sized car park, clean toilets, a café, Easter trails and even archery, which kept children happily occupied for a long stretch. The Exmoor ponies also get a mention, which is always a win with kids who like spotting animals rather than just trudging along behind adults. The niggles are fairly classic National Trust niggles: the car park can be rough with potholes, routes are badly signposted, and one reviewer found the café not dog-friendly. It sounds like a lovely day out if you enjoy a proper walk, but not one for anyone expecting slick, pushchair-perfect logistics.
Two-minute orientation
Quick read
A mostly outdoor National Trust walk with big views, woodland trails and space for a proper runabout. There’s a café, toilets, picnic tables and occasional extras like Easter trails, archery and guided walks. Best for children who can cope with hills; less brilliant if you need smooth parking or clear signage.
Best for ages
Strong score for mixed-age siblings
The boring brilliant stuff
Need to know
Indoor vs outdoor split
Mostly outdoor
Parking detail
Full parking wording is landing soon — meanwhile check Maps plus the venue’s own FAQs.
Dog-friendly?
No
Leave the dog at home for this one.
Pram-friendly?
Likely yes
Indoor venues like this are typically pram-friendly.
Baby change?
Likely yes
Venues this size usually have baby change facilities.
Food on-site & BYO
Yes: Food available on-site — cafe or kiosk.
Locate it
Hindhead, Sussex
THINGS PARENTS ASK
Common questions
Is there enough to keep children interested?
Yes, especially for school-age children: there are trails, views, ponies, archery at times and plenty of space to explore.
Is it good for a picnic?
Yes. Reviewers mention lots of picnic tables and a big car park.
Is there a café and toilets?
Yes, both are mentioned in reviews, and the toilets were described as clean.
Is it easy to find your way around?
Not always. One review says the routes are badly signposted and it’s easy to get lost.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Real review quotes
"lots of quiet paths and peaceful hikes"
"The children were delighted to see archery set up"
"car park is horrendous with huge pot holes"