
Family cycling at Alice Holt Forest, Surrey
Back in January we spent a wonderful weekend staying in Surrey. It was at the height of the UK’s first big freeze of 2017 and the days were bright, clear and cold. Very cold! But the sunshine enticed us outside to see what the area had to offer families. One activity that had been recommended to us a couple of times was cycling at Alice Holt Forest. On our last morning we decided to head there to hire some bikes and explore the forest with our two pre-schoolers.
About Alice Holt Forest
Alice Holt Forest is a beautiful Forestry Commission site which sits on the most northerly border of the South Downs National Park. It’s a great day out with something to entertain all the family including relaxing woodland walks, play areas and themed trails, miles of cycle paths and even a Go-Ape for thrill seekers.
It’s also the starting point of the Shipwrights Way. The 50 mile path to Portsmouth gets its name as it follows the route that fallen oak trees would have been transported along from Alice Holt to the south coast’s Medieval ship building yards. Walkers from all over the UK come to follow the path. However, those not quite up to a 50 mile trek will be pleased to know there are numerous other trails to suit all abilities, including some that are wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
For younger visitors there are a range of play parks and trails. The Easy Access Discovery Trail is suitable for all abilities and has numerous activities signposted along the way from den building to looking for creepy crawlies. There are also some Gruffalo-themed sculptures to hunt down – perfect for motivating the tiniest of ramblers.
Hiring bikes at Alice Holt Forest
We only had a few hours to spare before the end of our weekend so we knew we had to use it wisely. So, as Tin Box Tot is really getting into cycling at home we opted to explore on two wheels.
At this point I’ll admit that I was slightly trepidatious as I haven’t been on a mountain bike for years. Mr Tin Box, on the other hand, has two of his own and is often found hacking around tracks in the Brecon Beacons as part of his job.
We hadn’t booked any bikes but the Alice Holt Cycle Centre was able to supply us with two bikes and a trailer for the girls. We had intended to put four-year-old Tot on a tagalong but her legs were just an inch too short. Luckily Mr Tin Box enjoys a bit of a challenge. He took the trailer with both girls leaving me to concentrate on remembering how to ride a bike.
Family cycle routes
There are six trails for walking and cycling around Alice Holt Forest. We chose the Family Cycle Trail – a three mile route suitable for most riders with only a few hills and wide flat paths.
Mr Tin Box was soon speeding off into the distance much to the delight of his passengers. There were squeals of ‘faster Daddy’ and ‘Wheee’ way ahead of me on the trail as I began to remember how much my bottom would hurt the next day. This, and the fact I was experiencing some issues with my gears, meant I followed on at a more steadily pace. The upside was I was able to appreciate the scenery and the low, bright winter sun beaming thorough the trees.
Points of interest in Alice Holt Forest
There was plenty more to see during our ride including a fantastic sculpture called Semiconductor, which is a visual representation of scientific data collected at the forest.
We also stopped at Lodge Pond, which is popular with local fishermen and a perfect spot for a picnic in warmer months. There would have been room for us to pack a small picnic in the girls’ trailer which had a large storage pocket behind the seats. However, having had an enormous breakfast at Bel & The Dragon where we were staying, lunch hadn’t even crossed our minds.
Nearly an hour after we’d set off we returned our bikes to the cycle centre. The Family Cycle Trail was ideal to help me get back into cycling – not too long and not too many hills. And, the girls loved their first experience of a bike trailer with Daddy as their chauffeur.
After dropping off the bikes we stopped at the play park for a rather icy run around. This was followed by a well earned drink and cake from the temporary catering van. The main cafe is being refurbished to provide new indoor and outdoor seating. This is due to be completed in early 2017.
Tips for cycling at Alice Holt Forest
- Book your bikes in advance if you are visiting during the spring and summer months.
- You can borrow helmets. Bring your own if you have them and remember gloves if it is cold. I forgot mine and paid for it with bright red fingers.
- The hire bikes are clearly well used. It’s worth having a short ride in front of the hire shop before setting off to test gears and brakes.
- Tin Box Tot is just under 1m in height but wasn’t able to reach the peddles on the tagalong children’s bike. She was thrilled to be allowed to sit in the trailer with her sister though.
The nitty gritty
One hour bike hire, including two adult mountain bikes and a trailer, cost us £27. The tagalong would have cost us an additional £7 or we cold have opted for the £30 family cycle package. Additional hours can be booked at a reduced rate.
Parking charges at Alice Holt Forest start at £1.80 for an hour. Remember your car registration number as you’ll need this at the parking machines when you go to leave. Card payments are accepted. Regular visitors may find a forestry commission Discovery Pass will save them money.
You can find Alice Holt Forest by using this postcode: GU10 4LS
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Oh gosh a trip down memory lane, my grandparents used to take us to Alice Holt a lot when we were kids, happy memories of forest picnics, a lovely spot.
Wherejogoes recently posted…PIZZA PILGRIMS, DEAN ST, LONDON
I expect it’s wonderful for a picnic. I hope we can call in there again sometime as we didn’t see the Gruffalo trail or a lot of the sculptures and playgrounds around the forest.
Lovely post Claire. My other half is a keen cyclist and we occasionally indulge in family bike adventures. I’m a newbie blogger and following your adventures and posts with interest.
The Staycationer recently posted…Review : Vets in Action at ZSL Whipsnade this half-term
Thank you! I’ll hop over and check out your work 🙂
I’ve seen lots of posts from Alice Halt in the past but I’ve not seen anyone take up the cycling. It looks like a perfect way to get around wit two tots in tow. I remember when our eldest two were the age of yours and we bought one of those tag along trailers and used it so much for family cycle rides. It lasted right through to the triplets and we have many happy memories of all the family on bikes, tag along, follow on bikes and carriers cycling to Padstow from Wadebridgge. Now Nick and I can’t keep up with the boys! I hope this has given you the enthusiasm to take up cycling more, it sounds like Tin Box Daddy is a big fan.
Thank you for sharing your experience at Alice Halt on #CountryKids
Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Nafplion the Ancient Capital of Greece
Yes, he’s definitely the biggest advocate for cycling in our family and the girls aren’t far behind him…literally 🙂
We used to own a bike trailer like this one when we lived in Denmark. I reluctantly sold it on last year, as it hadn’t had an outing since moving to Ireland six years ago. Irish roads are not safe for such a contraption, unfortunately. Anyway it looks like you had a great adventure in a beautiful place! x
#CountryKids
I can imagine going on the roads with a trailer is a bit dicy. We felt really comfortable doing it off road and I;d love to do it again.
That looked like such a beautiful place to be. Hard work towing though! I used to have my twins in the trailer and my daughter on the back. I’m glad they are all pedalling themselves now!!
Wow, that must have been hard work!
aaahhhhh #countrykidsfun I’m always leaving that bit off!!!
Sonia Cave recently posted…Kreativum Science Centre Adventure
I’m ashamed to say that I am rubbish on a bike! I’m determined to re-master it though so that we can have family days out like this. It looks like a great place to explore #CountryKids
It really is and we only saw a fraction of the Forest. I’d love to go back and do some of the family trails
It’s rather flat where I am so I’ve been considering getting one of these trailers to ferry the girls around in.#CountryKids
We’ve never used one before but thought it was great. It’s a bit hilly where we live now so I”m not sure it would be ideal for us…unless Mr TB did all the hills 🙂
It looks like a wonderful place to explore especially on bikes. Your two look very happy in the trailer and I can imagine how excited they were. I can sympathize with forgetting gloves. I’ve had many a cold finger walk. Sometimes after giving my gloves to one of the children. #CountryKids
Cheryl | TimeToCraft recently posted…Happy St David’s Day
They had a whale of a time. My fingers eventually warmed up but I’ll not be making that mistake again 🙂
It’s been a few years since we visited Alice Holt, it’s nice that they have a family cycling trail although I’m not great at cycling… I wonder if I could fit in one of those trailers!
The Princess and The Pickle recently posted…A postcard from… Mottisfont, Hampshire (February 2017)
LOL! They should do them adult sized. I wouldn’t mind a go 🙂