Can you tell your Shaggy Inkcap from your Magpie Fungus? Guided fungi trails are flavour of the month, as the National Trust gets families walking this autumn with its Great British Walk programme, writes Samantha Laurie

At Polesden Lacey, Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher and Ranmore Common, ranger-led walks are some of the 3,000 events taking place at the Trust’s sites until the end of October.

Most are designed to get children out of the house with a raft of tricks: themed walks with dressing-up, adventure trails with maps and wildlife discoveries.

At Denbies Hillside, with its views towards towering Leith Hill, rangers are running a campfire-and-conkers walk where the steep climb on the North Downs is rewarded with toasted marshmallows.

At Hatchlands Park, the Georgian mansion in East Clandon, the lure is special bat-detecting equipment to identify the nine species on the site at dusk.

And in Bookham Woods, near Leatherhead, a butterfly trail will take you in search of the elusive Purple Emperor and to the copse where breeding males perform daily territorial displays.

Getting kids out means choosing terrain wisely. Flat paths and straight lines don’t cut it; they need to clamber and explore. Nowhere offers more in that regard than Box Hill, where the newly-built play trail with its tunnels, log bridges and rope swings built around tree stumps, its ditches and its dips, makes the circular loop from the top of the hill an adventure playground as well as a ramble.

The free trail guide offers excellent advice on tree climbing and play in general. Walkers can continue from the play trail to the Stepping Stones Trail, a two-mile circuit through meadows and woodland to the stepping stones across the River Mole.

Diversionary tactics are always helpful in the battle of sofa versus the great outdoors – and Alice Holt Forest near Farnham has them in spades. The Forestry Commission’s most popular site has family cycle trails, orienteering events, two excellent adventure play parks, a 3D maze, a Go Ape high wire for over 10s and a wide range of bookable activities such as family bushcraft days (Oct 27) and den building (Oct 30) to attract the most reluctant forest dweller. There is also a programme of weekly autumn activity walks for toddlers and pre-schoolers with stories and woodland crafts.

Children love drama and excitement on a walk. Treasure hunts go down well and a new website that provides pre-written treasure hunts promises a good way of getting children discovering streets, statues and local attractions that they may never have noticed before. Huntfun.co.uk has over 240 treasure trails for different towns and cities. The package contains a map, directions and questions that can take up to two hours to complete. There are three in and around Surrey – in Richmond, Kingston and Guildford – suitable for all ages. The hunts cost £7 to download or between £4.99 and £6.99 for a printed version. Another initiative is the website walkswithbuggies.com, which offers a free online directory of walks for parents with children in pushchairs. Walks have been tested and reviewed, there is information on difficulty, distance and facilities and the website offers free Ordnance Survey maps.

To find out more about the National Trust’s Great British Walks see; nationaltrust.org.uk

For events and activities at Alice Holt see; forestry.gov.uk 

They couldn’t have picked a better day to officially open Hobbledown.  Press and public gathered under the shade of a big oak tree with Pimms, sandwiches and fairy cakes, as the sun shone down from a sharp blue sky. But this being Hobbledown, it wasn’t just any old oak tree. It was the Quercus Oak nic-pic spot.

Every corner of the farm is now the physical manifestation of the Hobbledown universe, home to elvish Hobblers and the troll-like Skibblers. You leave reality at the gate when you enter: the cafe serves ‘Hobnosh’ and it took me blooming ages to find the toilets, because they’re not called toilets, they are called Tinklespots, or something.

Sceptical? Yes, I admit I was. Basically because the whole thing felt like some unholy and outdated marriage between The Hobbit and Labyrinth, one of my most hated films of all time.

For those who don’t know, the whole concept of the park is based around the eponymous fairy-tale book by author A J Kecojevic and illustrator Lyn Stone.  The book hadn’t been published when author and owners met, so the story was adapted to suit the park (an unusual collaboration, to say the least). Out went the Flying Moon Dogs, and in came the farm animals.

But, in reality, even this cynical old Skibbler was spirited away by the magic of it all. Mainly because it was fab watching the kids make use of that under-utilised part of the modern juvenile brain: the imagination.

The kids (ages 4, 6 and 9) were all over it. Finding tunnels (‘Can we go in? Come on: let’s..’); collecting pieces of crystallite in the mine to swap for a lollipop in the shop; hiding from the wicked witch (me) in the swinging wicker hidey hole. That’s without mentioning the aerial walkways, turrets and vast labyrinth of tunnels (over 90m of them) or, my personal favourite, The Field Of Confusion.

It is, in fact, the very antithesis of Legoland or nearby Chessington where fun is carefully managed and planned – at a cost to your purse and sanity.

Not that it is cheap, per se (see below). Visitors will notice a price hike from those Horton Park Farm days. But then the farm was in urgent need of investment and that’s exactly what owners Nick and Charlie have done with a whopping £3 million injection of cash (it seems banks are still lending to small businesses – who knew!) though the pair, being owners of indoor adventure park Kids Space in Croydon have a proven track record in the field.

“It’s been a real roller coaster ride,” explained an exhausted but happy Charlie, referring to the delays to building caused by the heavy rainfall in April and May. “It felt like trench warfare at times.”

The park finally opened on July 18. “It’ll keep growing,” continued Charlie. “We want to hold events, maybe a mini-festival or camping days, all low-profile, family-friendly stuff.”

Sounds promising. But back to the here and now, what’s changed?

The animals have stayed (goats, donkeys, ponies plus meerkats, porcupines, otters and wallabies) but they are now out in the open and not in the barns. The indoor play area has pretty much doubled in size (gone are those dreaded ball-pits). The cafe and eating area have transformed beyond recognition. It’s entirely pleasant now, with the funky, fresh feel that the Giraffe chain has so successfully mastered. We didn’t sample the Hobnosh but pictures of the pasta salads, meatballs and fish finger wraps look pretty good online.

Knowing that I was going to write the review, Charlie insisted that I get harnessed up to try out the high rope course – an aerial assault course designed for adventurous children of all ages (there is a height restriction) – and their parents. Feeling like a extra from Winter Wipeout (minus the lifejacket, of course), I swung, teetered and staggered my way along the course following my kids who were shrieking with fear and then delight as we zip-wired it back down to earth again. All good fun.

On our way out, we stopped in the shop. Normally, the part I hate most, as I refuse to spend money on a load of plastic crap. But, even I, found things I would have happily bought. An achievement indeed, and one that says a lot about the ethos and thought that’s gone into Hobbledown.

Top marks from us.

Hobbledown:

What’s on offer: Three large outdoor play areas, high-rope activity for kids over 1.3m, sand pit, farm animals, inflatable bouncing areas, willow maze plus large indoor play area for rainy days. Cafe with plenty of seating. Shop. Four party rooms.

Tickets: £9 adults, £10 kids over 2 (weekdays). Otherwise £11.50 adults, £12.50 kids over two (weekends and school holidays).

There is a discount for entry after 3pm. Annual passes work out as around £5 per child, per month and £4 per adult, per month.

hobbledown.com

Have you been to Hobbledown? Let us know what you think below or tweet us @SurreyDownsMag

Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9JG

One of the earliest surviving English landscape gardens, begun by Vanbrugh and Bridgeman before 1720 and extended and naturalized by Kent and Capability Brown. Lake, island with pavilion; grotto and turf amphitheatre; viewpoints and avenues

Open: For NGS: Sat 5 May; Sun 14 Oct (10-6)

 Westways Farm, Gracious Pond Road, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8HH

Open 6-acre garden surrounded by woodlands planted in 1930s with mature and some rare rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias, underplanted with bluebells, erythroniums, lilies and dogwood; extensive lawns and sunken pond garden. Working stables and sandschool. Lovely Queen Anne House (not open) covered with listed Magnolia grandiflora. Victorian design glasshouse

Open: Sat 5 May (10-5); Sun 6 May (10-4). Visitors also welcome by appt

 57 Westhall Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9BG

Reward for the sure-footed – many steep steps to 3 levels! Swathes of tulips and alliums. Mature kiwi and grape vines. Mixed borders. Raised vegetable beds. Box, bay, cork oak and yew topiaries. ‘Amphitheatre’ of potted plants on lower steps. Stunning views of Caterham and Whyteleafe from top garden

Open: Sun 6, Mon 7 May (2-5)

 Chandlers, Lower Ham Lane, Elstead, Surrey, GU8 6HQ

Come and enjoy a stroll around this ½-acre garden brimming with exciting planting combinations, many unusual shrubs, trees, grasses, perennials and bulbs. Divided into rooms incl a picturesque potager with step-over apple trees and companion planting, woodland, and mixed borders radiating from a semi-circular slate, multi-level patio and pergola

Open: Sun 6 May (1-5)

 Crosswater Farm, Crosswater Lane, Churt, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2JN

Idyllic 6-acre woodland garden. Plantsman’s collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, incl rare species collected in the Himalayas, hybrids raised by the owners. Everything from alpine dwarfs to architectural large-leaved trees. Ponds, stream and companion plantings incl sorbus, magnolias and Japanese acers. Trial gardens of new varieties

Open: For NGS: Sun 6, Mon 7 May (10-5)

 Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RT

Garden and park designed by Repton in 1800. Follow one of the park walks to the stunning bluebell wood in spring (40 mins round walk over rough and sometimes muddy ground – Tramper vehicle available to borrow). South of the house, a small parterre designed by Gertrude Jekyll in 1913 to flower in early June. In autumn enjoy the changing colours on the long walk

Open: For NGS: Suns 6 May; 21 Oct (11-6)

Moleshill House, The Fairmile, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1BG

Romantic garden. Short woodland path leads from dovecote to beehives. Informal planting contrasts with formal topiary box and garlanded cisterns. Colourful courtyard and pots, conservatory, fountains, bog garden. Pleached avenue, new circular gravel garden replacing most of the lawn. Some vegetables, chickens permitting! Snowdrops in avenue in Feb

Open: Sun 26 Feb (11-2, with soup & sausages); Sun 6 May with Jazz in the garden, Mon 7 May with Opera Singers in the garden (2-5). Groups of 10+ also welcome by appt, £6.50 per head incl refreshments

 The Old Croft, South Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 4NT

Beautiful 5-acre garden with many diverse areas of natural beauty, giving a sense of peace and tranquillity. Stunning vistas incl lake, bridge, pond fed by natural stream running over rocky weirs, bog gardens, roses, perennial borders, elevated viewing hide, tropical bamboo maze, curved pergola of rambling roses, unique topiary buttress hedge, many specimen trees and shrubs. Visitors return again and again

Open: Sun 6, Mon 7 May; Sats, Suns 9, 10 June; 14, 15 July; 11, 12 Aug (2-6)

 Timber Hill, Chertsey Road, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8JF

Beautifully situated 15-acre garden, woodland garden and park with views to N Downs. Fine specimens of oaks, liquidambar and liriodendron. Early witch hazel walk (by appt), new plantings of oaks, beech, cherry and acers. Many camellias and magnolias shelter behind banks of rhododendron ponticum. Drifts of narcissi, daffodils and spring bulbs; shrub and ground-cover borders. Bluebells and azaleas in early May

Open: Suns 1 Apr; 6 May (11.30-4.30)

 Vann, Hambledon, Surrey, GU8 4EF

5-acre English Heritage registered garden surrounding Tudor and William and Mary house (not open) with Arts and Crafts additions by W D Caröe incl a Bargate stone pergola. At the front, brick-paved original ‘cottage’ garden; to the rear, ¼-acre pond, yew walk with rill and Gertrude Jekyll water garden. Snowdrops and hellebores, spring bulbs, Fritillaria meleagris in March. Island beds, crinkle crankle wall, orchard with wild flowers, vegetable garden. Centenary garden and woodland

Open: For NGS: Sun 25 to Wed 28 Mar incl; Mon 9 Apr to Sun 15 Apr incl; Sun 6 May to Sun 13 May incl; Sun 10 June to Sun 17 June incl (all dates 10-6)

 Coverwood Lakes, Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Surrey, GU6 7NT

14-acre landscaped garden in stunning position high in the Surrey Hills with 4 lakes and bog garden. Extensive rhododendrons, azaleas and fine trees. 3½-acre lakeside arboretum. Marked trail through the 180-acre working farm with Hereford cows and calves, sheep and horses, extensive views of the surrounding hills

Open: Mon 9 Apr, Suns 15, 22, 29 Apr; Mon 7, Sun 13 May (2-6); Sun 14 Oct (11-4.30)

 Ramster, Chiddingfold, Surrey, GU8 4SN

A stunning, mature woodland garden set in over 30 acres, famous for its rhododendron and azalea collection and carpets of bluebells. Enjoy a peaceful wander down the meandering woodland walk, explore the bog garden with stepping stones or relax in the tranquil enclosed Tennis Court Garden

Open: For NGS: Fri 11 May (10-5)

 Hall Grove School, London Road (A30), Bagshot, Surrey, GU19 5HZ

Formerly small Georgian country estate, now co-educational preparatory school. Grade II listed house (not open). Mature parkland with specimen trees. Historical features incl ice house, old walled garden, heated peach wall. New lake, woodland walks, rhododendrons and azaleas

Open: Sat 12 May (2-5)

 Wintershall Manor, Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0LR

2-acre garden and 200 acres of park and woodland. Bluebell walks in spring, wild daffodils, rhododendrons, specimen trees. Lakes and flight ponds; superb views. Chapel of St Mary, stations of Cross, Rosary Walk and St Francis Chapel

Open: Sats 21 Apr; 12 May (2-5)

 Chestnut Cottage, 15 Jubilee Lane, Boundstone, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4SZ

½-acre garden created by owners on different levels. Rhododendrons, azaleas, acers and conifers. Long pergola with wisteria and roses, attractive gazebo copied from the original at NT Hunting Lodge in Odiham. Peaceful setting

Open: Sun 13 May (2-5.30)

Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS

Delightful 2½-acre walled garden. Award-winning rose garden (over 1,000 bushes, mainly old-fashioned varieties), extensive herb garden, fruit/flower garden, white garden with fountains, and spectacular organic vegetable garden. Magnificent vine walk, herbaceous borders, moat walk, ancient wisteria and mulberry trees. Wild flower meadow

Open: For NGS: Sun 13 May (11-5)

 The Round House, Dunsfold Road, Loxhill, Surrey, GU8 4BL

2½-acre walled Victorian garden with far-reaching views from the top of the garden. Continuing renewal programme since 2002. Colourful mixed beds with perennials, roses and interesting statuary. Water cascades. Apple and plum orchard. Serpentine paths between shrubs and wild flowers. 75 metre lavender walk. Ornamental fish pond

Open: Suns, Weds 13, 16 May; 10, 13 June (12-5). Groups also welcome by appt

 Chauffeur’s Flat, Tandridge Lane, Tandridge, Surrey, RH8 9NJ

Enter a 1-acre tapestry of magical secret gardens with magnificent views. Touching the senses, all sure-footed visitors may explore the many surprises on this constantly evolving exuberant escape from reality. Imaginative use of recycled materials creates an inspired variety of ideas, while wild and specimen plants reveal an ecological haven

Open: Mon 14 May to Sun 20 May incl; Mon 18 June to Sun 24 June incl (10-5)

 Dunsborough Park, Ripley, Surrey, GU23 6AL

Extensive walled gardens of 6 acres redesigned by Penelope Hobhouse and Rupert Golby. Good structure with much box hedging creating many different garden rooms. Exciting long herbaceous borders with beautiful standard wisterias. Unusual 70ft ginkgo hedge and ancient mulberry tree. Atmospheric water garden recently redesigned and restored. Fabulous display of tulips in spring with 10,000 bulbs and large cut flower garden

Open: Sats 19 May; 16 June; 15 Sept (2-6)

 Titsey Place Gardens, Titsey Hill, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0SD

One of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey. Magnificent ancestral home and gardens of the Gresham family since 1534. Walled kitchen garden restored early 1990s. Golden Jubilee rose garden. Etruscan summer house adjoining picturesque lakes and fountains. 15 acres of formal and informal gardens in idyllic setting within the M25

Open: For NGS: Sats 19 May; 16 June; 21 July; 18 Aug (12.30-5)

 Knowle Grange, Hound House Road, Shere, Surrey, GU5 9JH

80-acre idyllic hilltop position. Extraordinary and exciting 7-acre gardens, created from scratch since 1990 by Marie-Elisabeth Wood, blend the free romantic style with the strong architectural frame of the classical tradition. Walk the rural one-mile Bluebell Valley Unicursal Path of Life and discover its secret allegory

Open: Suns 20 May; 16 Sept (11-5). Groups also welcome by appt

 Chilworth Manor, Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8NN

Extensive grounds of lawns and mature trees around C17/C18 manor on C11 monastic site. Substantial C18 terraced walled garden laid out by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, with herbaceous borders, topiary and fruit trees. Original stewponds integrated with new Japanese-themed garden and woodland garden and walk. Paddock home to alpacas. Ongoing restoration project aims to create a contemporary and practical garden sensitive to its historic context

Open: Sun 27 May (11-5)

 Memoirs, Stafford Lake, Queen’s Road, Bisley, Surrey, GU24 9AY

Interesting and varied 8-acre organic garden created by owners. Formal lawn and borders, stream, ponds, bog garden, kitchen garden, terrace garden, wildlife areas, woodland, orchard and fields with rare-breed sheep, goats, chicken and ducks

Open: Sun 27 May (1.30-5.30). Visitors also welcome by appt

 Spurfold, Peaslake, Surrey, GU5 9SZ

4 acres, large herbaceous and shrub borders, formal pond with Cambodian Buddha head, sunken gravel garden with topiary box and water feature, terraces, beautiful lawns, mature rhododendrons and azaleas, woodland paths, and gazebos. Garden contains unique collection of Indian elephants and other objets d’art. New topiary garden created 2010 and new formal lawn area being created for 2012

Open: Sun 27 May (11-5). Evening Opening, wine, £6.50, chd free, Fri 3 Aug (5-8). Groups of 15+ also welcome by appt May to mid-August, refreshments by arrangement

 The Manor House, Three Gates Lane, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2ES

Described by Country Life as ‘The hanging gardens of Haslemere’, The Manor House gardens are in a valley of the Surrey Hills. One of Surrey inaugural NGS gardens, they are still under restoration. Fine views, six acres, water gardens

Open: Sun 27 May (2-6)

 Walton Poor House, Ranmore, Surrey, RH5 6SX

Tranquil, almost secretive, 4-acre mostly wooded garden in N Downs AONB, planted to show contrast between colourful shrubs and mature trees. Paths wind through garden to pond, hideaway dell and herb garden, planted to show the use of aromatic plants and shrubs. Specialist nursery with wide variety of herbs, shrubs and aromatic plants

Open: Sat 28, Sun 29 Apr; Sun 27 May (12-5); Sat 13, Sun 14 Oct (12-4). Visitors also welcome by appt

 Great Fosters, Stroude Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9UR

Within the 50-acre estate, this wonderful and inspiring garden has been beautifully restored over the last 14yrs. Framed on 3 sides by a Saxon moat, the knot garden of intricate design has fragrant beds of flowers and herbs and is bordered by clipped hedges and topiary. Beyond, find a grass amphitheatre, large lake, wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, sunken rose garden and tranquil lily pond

Open: Tue 29, Wed 30 May (11-6)

• The Junior Room has plenty to do and see, including surprise boxes and a World War II exhibition.
• The John Bushby Room contains sections on geology and fossils, the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, the Romans in East Surrey, medieval times and modern history, plus an Anglo-Saxon corner.
• Cricket in East Surrey exhibition has a collection of memorabilia, as well as information about the history of local club teams. 

The museum is open each Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday between 10am and 5pm. Free entry, but donations always gratefully received. To see what’s currently exhibiting click here.

• Deep in the stunning Surrey countryside, the nature trails make for a great family day out, and you can pick your own fruit along the way.
• Activities run by the farm include cookery demonstrations and the chance to make your own bird box.
• The members only fishery has three well stocked lakes. The season starts on April 1st and, although day tickets are not available, members can bring guests. To find out how to join click here.

For more information on activities at the farm click here.

• Weekly guided tours of the park and gardens every Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm (with golf buggy tours available for those unable to manage Gatton’s steps and slopes). The tours cost £4 per adult, children free.
• Special events, such as the Gatton Country Fair and the National Gardens Scheme Open Day. 

Dogs on a lead are welcome in the park. A great family day out then – four-legged members and all. Click here to learn more.

• The collection itself, including Lord Rosebery’s hansom cab, a 19th century fire engine, extensive memorabilia relating to the Derby and significant Roman archaeology from local sites.
• The successful children’s club which meets on the second Saturday of each month. Each session is on a different theme, with frequent visits from re-enactors, many of whom are familiar from TV. 

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. For more information on the area’s rich and varied history click here.

• Special events, including afternoon tea and dance days and a series of shared party nights at Christmas, at which revellers can drink from the sparkling wine bar and enjoy the festivities with a meal and disco.
• The Ultimate Wine Experience tour, which operates inside the winery building and takes approximately 50 minutes. Prices vary depending upon the package you choose, ranging from £9.50 to £14 (£3 for children aged 2-17).
• The Surrey Performing Arts Library which includes the Vaughan Williams Exhibition.

For more information on visiting Denbies click here and follow the appropriate link.