Crabtree Plantation
Children will enjoy the play area with zip line and the stream for paddling and water play on this walk.
Children can access a stream where they will enjoy playing
The Basics
Time: 40mins
Distance: 2.3 km
Terrain: Flat woodland paths and gravelled paths
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: Picnic benches
Toilets: None
Public Transport: Use Stagecoach service 10 between Chineham and Old Basing or service 13 between Whitehill, Alton and Basingstoke and alight at Dickens Lane where it is a short walk to Crabtree Plantation
Parking: Bolton Arch car park off the A30 (Postcode: RG24 7JB - W3W: rocks/wicked/surely)
The ducks at Black Dam Ponds
A little oasis sandwiched between some big roads, Crabtree Plantation manages to hide its surroundings well. You soon forget the motorway is so close as you walk through the woodland, open green spaces, splash in the stream and enjoy the play areas.
The Route
Do not go through the arch, instead take the path heading into the woodland parallel to the road. A glance at the map will show that the planation is sandwiched between the A30 and the M3, but don’t let that put you off. Once into the woodland, it is easy to forget that you aren’t far from busy roads.
On the path, you will spot markers for a ‘Run England’ running track. You should follow these marker posts through the entire woodland section.
You will eventually emerge into a large, open green space that seems popular with dog owners and has a few picnic benches scattered around.
Follow the gravelled path down the hill to where you will find a climbing frame, swing and zip line. The equipment is well suited to older children.
To the right of the play area is a path going into the trees. If you follow this, you will soon have the option to turn right. Doing this will take you on a short diversion, via an underpass, to Black Dam Ponds. Here you will find a duck pond as well as a park with equipment more suitable to younger children.
Continuing at point 5 instead of turning right, will take you to a dam in the stream where wooden steps lead down to an area that is great for paddling and outdoor play.
Past the dam, the path opens back out into the open space and you can navigate your way back to the car park by walking up the slope and keeping the woodland to your left.
At the planation boundary, a left turn will take you under the arch and back to the car park.
Did you know?
Bolton arch, erected around 1820, was built as an entrance to Hackwood Park, a large country estate. The M3 now cuts the entranceway off from the rest of the property. The whole place was put on the market a few years ago with an estimated asking price of around £65 million!
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this easy little walk at another green space oasis in Basingstoke at Beggarwood Park
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