Kingsley Common
Children will enjoy the natural sand pits, the ducks on the pond and a paddock full of pigs on this walk.
The paths around the common are mostly sandy
The Basics
Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 2 km
Terrain: Mostly flat and easy paths
Pushchair: Yes, with some adaptions to the route
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: The Cricketers is beside the car park and has a large beer garden with play equipment and football goal
Toilets: None
Public Transport: Stagecoach service 13 from Whitehill to Basingstoke, service 113 from Alton to Liphook and service 123 from Haslemere and Bordon all stop at The Cricketers Inn, next to the pond
Parking: Free car park opposite the Kingsley Centre (Postcode: GU35 9PQ - W3W - argue/newsreel/neon)
The magnificent village pond in Kingsley
Kingsley boasts a rather large and beautiful village pond. Beyond this is a sandy common dotted with gnarly oaks and coated in purple heather. It is an easy place to walk around with plenty of paths to explore.
The Route
Facing away from the road, take the path at the far left of the car park. This will take you above the pond, but don’t worry, you will walk by the pond on the return leg of this route.
Walk along the path ignoring any splits to the left or the right until you come to a few houses and a grassy area with wooden bollards around. Turn right here and follow the path.
You will soon meet the entrance to a cottage. Turn right as the path curves around. Again, stay on the main sandy path and ignore any to the left or the right. You will arrive at a really sandy area, which is a fun place for children to play.
Ignore the paths going up the hill and enter the woodland. When you come to the point where you cannot go forward anymore, you should turn right up the hill (if you briefly divert left down the hill, you will find a paddock with some pigs in it). This next small section is steep and rough; with a pushchair you may want to seek an alternative path across the common or return the way you came.
The uphill path soon levels out to form an access track. You will pass a couple of houses on your left before arriving at the pond. There are ducks to feed, fish to spot, benches and viewing platforms.
Go clockwise for the quickest route back to the car park or anti-clockwise to circuit the pond before returning to your car.
Did you know?
All the profits from the village shop go towards the Kinglsey Centre, an organisation which provides realistic retail training for disabled people. Ideally located for this walk, you can pop in to collect some fresh pastries to enjoy by the pond.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this village pond walk at Hartley Mauditt. You can walk around the pond, but the village long disappeared!
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