Parks, Recreation Grounds, Walks & Picnics

The sun is shining and you want somewhere to go for a picnic - where do you go? Find some inspiration in this listing of places in our local area.

Cobham Recreation Ground(bowling, football, play area, tennis, basketball) - www.elmbridge.gov.uk/leisure/parks/cobham.htm

Cobham Skateboard Park, Downside Common Road

Leg of Mutton Field, Downside Common Road

Downside Common and Neilson Field

Stoke and Station Road Play Areas

Princes' Coverts, Oxshott

If you are local to the area, you can apply to the Crown Estate for a key to Princes' Coverts for a small fee. The entrance is on Leatherhead Road (past the entrance to Spinneycroft, on the opposite side of the road) and there is limited parking there. Once through the gate, you can wander through this beautiful wooded area - spotting bluebells, birds and deer as you go. It can, however, be very muddy, and we've heard that the area is full of ticks, so wear appropriate footwear and be a little careful.

Into the woods, Oxshott Heath
A popular dog walkers area, Oxshott Heath and Oxshott woods offer many lovely walks. You can park in the car parks by Oxshott Station, on Copsem Lane or on Sandy Lane, and you'll be surprised by the variety of walking you will find.

The Tilt to Downside
An "easy" walk, this is about a mile there and a mile back on good dirt path and country lane, through very pretty countryside. Park by the cemetery and cross over the little bridge. Turn right when you reach the country lane, and take the public footpath to your left into Downside, passing the village pump at the end. Cross over the common to the pub for some refreshment before walking back.

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Elmbridge run an ongoing programme of "Healthy Walks" to encourage residents of all ages to get out and about, enjoy walkingand discover new areas. Walks are graded for speed and difficulty and some are suitable for dogs on leads too. You can find out more and download a brochure for the next two months by clicking here: healthy walks

Best Picnic Spots in Cobham and the Surrounding Area

Whether planning a full-blown family weekend picnic, or taking a sandwich out for a quick lunch in the open air, we hope you'll find inspiration here! We've pulled together ideas for some of the best picnic spots in Cobham and the surrounding area, contributed by residents.

Riverhill Cobham, where the River Mole bends alongside the Mill.There are benches for watching while the kidssplash in the river. A project is underway to restore this area, so check on http://riverhill.org.uk to find out if any work is in progress.

Painshill Park has many great spots for a picnic. Find somewhere to spread a blanket down by the lake, or stay on higher ground and the kids can run around while you take a break. You could stop for an ice-cream or a cup of tea at the cafe on the way back to the car. You will have to pay an entrance fee.

The green at Downside‚ it's a huge area for playing ball games or throwing a Frisbee around. And The Cricketers is just there if you need extra sustenance or a loo break.

You can walk for miles on Oxshott Heath and there are many places to stop for a picnic, but you might find some curious dogs joining you!