Natural adventure area at Hatchlands Park

Grab a map from reception and head out along our blue walk into Great Wix Wood. As you enter the wood you'll find Wizard Wix's Willow Warren, our natural adventure area for children. This is the perfect spot to run around, be active and enjoy nature. Here are a few ideas for fun things to do when you get there.

Child playing in the natural adventure area
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Balance beams and leaping logs

There's a row of balance beams running down one side of Wix's Warren. You can follow the willow tunnels to find the beams then balance your way along to the wizard sculpture. Head back along the other side leaping from log to log, how many can you do in a row?

Children building dens at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Den building

Underneath the trees you'll find a big pile of logs, branches, bark and leaves. You can play with them however you like but they're great for making dens. We've found that this is one of the most popular pastimes at Wizard Wix's - it's also one of our 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾.

Willow tunnels at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Tunnels and domes

We've made tunnels and domes out of willow wands, you can run through the tunnels and end up in the domes. There are some carved wooden stools in the largest dome next to the picnic area.

Bluetits at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Wildlife watching

We've put up bird feeders to attract some wildlife and a bug hotel to help keep the bugs snug. If you come along on a quiet day and stay patient you'll see plenty of local species. Occasionally birds drop seeds and this attracts other woodland creatures. On a damp day you might spot a footprint or two.

A family picnic at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Picnic area

Mums and dads feeling tired? We've added some benches where they can sit down and take a break whilst you carry on with the important stuff. Or if you've bought snacks then this is a great place to stop and eat them.

Children with wooden sculpture
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Sculptures

There are loads of wooden sculptures all over the place. You'll find wizards, a falcon, a badger, a green man, mushrooms and more. The biggest ones are made from the trunks of old trees that used to stand here, but you can pick up some of the little ones and move them about. How many can you find?

Bug hotel in the adventure area at Hatchlands
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Bug hotel

Tucked away in a shady corner of the adventure area is our bug hotel. Many of our invertebrates need a safe place to hibernate through the winter. Constructed from oak planks donated by our local sawmill and other materials recycled from our parkland, the bug hotel provides all sorts of nooks and crannies perfect for our insects. The dead wood is a valuable habitat for stag beetles, the smaller holes are great for Solitary bees which are excellent pollinators and the loose bark and crevices are perfect spots for beetles, centipedes, spiders and woodlice. You’re welcome to explore the bug hotel but remember to put back anything you take out.

Children in the adventure area at Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park   Surrey

Make your own adventure

But don't let us tell you how to have fun, we know you'll think of even more ways to enjoy this area, so visit us soon and spend some time in our woodland wonderland.