Southwater Country Park
Children will enjoy the paddling beach on this walk as well as Dinosaur Island adventure play.
The Basics
Time: Less than half an hour
Distance:
Terrain: Flat, paved paths
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes, but must be on leads and they are not allowed on the shingle area of the paddling beach
Refreshments: Café overlooking the lake or plenty of picnic tables as well as BBQ hire
Toilets: Yes
Parking: There are three car parks but for best access to the paddling beach and play area, we parked at the visitor centre on Station Road. Charges vary throughout the season, a stay of up to three hours in summer will be £2.20. We came after 6pm when parking was free.
(Postcode: RH13 9UN - W3W: uncle/prosper/safari)
At the centre of Southwater Country Park is Cripplegate Lake, where an easy paved walk will take you around the circumference. If you want to get on top of the water, there are row-boats and paddle boards to hire, and if you want to get in the water, there is a designated paddling beach. Half way around, children will be delighted by the Dinosaur Island adventure playground.
The Route
Sometimes, a walk is so straightforward that there is not much work for me to do in the route section.
From the car park, simply follow the large dinosaur footprints painted onto the path. These will take you to Dinosaur Island play area, via the paddling beach. Continue around the lake to complete your walk.
Dinosaur Island has ariel walkways, a huge volcano, dinosaur statues, sandpit with dinosaur skeleton, slides, swings and a complex of ropes and ladders with little ‘nests’.
Note that swimming is not permitted in the lake and an area is sectioned off for paddling only.
Bikes are not permitted in the park.
The Downs Link runs adjacent to the park where you can walk further in either direction.
Did you know?
The dinosaur themed play area is inspired by the fact that an iguanadon skeleton was found in the brickworks where the lake now is.
