This hugely popular park is an ideal place to spend the day. A boating lake, tree trail, trim trail and children’s play area are available, as well as a paddling pool.
The River Loddon runs through the park, feeding into a balancing pond in the Wildlife Area, where a dipping platform allows you to observe wildlife on, below and beside the water at close quarters (caution is recommended in wet conditions). Many birds inhabit this area including a resident kingfisher which can be seen hunting along the river.
A programme of events is run throughout summer, including band concerts under the canopy . All events are advertised in the What's On guide on the Destination Basingstoke website.
Location and access
Eastrop Park is accessible by a short walk from Festival Place and the bus station or the Eastrop Lane bus stop. Alternatively, the purple bus from the town’s park and ride service stops at City Wall House on Basing View; follow the footpath over the bridge to the park. Click on this link to download a location map.
Free parking is available at two car parks on site, which are accessible from Eastrop Way. Both have disabled parking bays. There is a disabled toilet on site and pathways throughout the park are suitable for buggies and wheelchair users. Park furniture is sited away from paths and signs are erected at an appropriate height to avoid presenting further hazards.
New play facility
In 2010 funding from developers contributions as well as grant aid from the DCFS was be used to improve the play facilities within the park to meet the needs of children from 0 to 14 including those with disabilities.
The play facility is located in the area previously occupied by the crazy golf.
The new play area is proving extremely popular! Why not try it out this season?
Cafe and Boathouse
This facility is weather dependent but generally open from 11:30 to 17:30 as follows:
Easter weekend / Easter school holiday
May half term
School summer holiday
Bank holidays between Easter and the end of September
At weekends from Easter until the end of September.
Outdoor Activities
Boats (per person/20 minutes)
Adults £1.90
Junior £1.10
Green Flag success
The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and both recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country. Winning a Green Flag Award brings excellent publicity especially since both the media and the public are becoming increasingly aware that a site flying a Green Flag is a high quality green space.
Eastrop Park Tree Trail
Have you spotted the new signs? Not only are they much bigger and easier to spot, they now tell you the tree species as well! Why not pick up a leaflet from the council offices or the library and follow the trail?
The Eastrop Park Tree Trail was written and developed by the Basingstoke Tree Wardens and encourages you to stop, look and admire the beautiful trees in the park. The leaflet includes interesting details about the history and use of 23 different tree species, highlighting aspects for you to observe, whatever the season.
The majority of this trail follows a hard tarmac path and is therefore suitable for prams, buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Where direct access to a tree is difficult it will be visible from the path. Maps are included for your reference, directing you to the park and guiding you around the trail. Each tree is identified by a wooden marker post.
Information about the Tree Warden Scheme can be found on the Tree Council website.
Walking
The park is a wonderful place in which to walk, with a new aspect to look at as you turn every corner and plenty of resting places.
There is also a self guided walk linking this park top the wear Memorial Park for the more athletic. the guide can be downloaded from the walking section on this website. The guide includes a walk summary, 'step by step' directions and interesting information about the features that you will pass along the way.
Health Walks
As part of a national initiative, Basingstoke & Deane’s “Walking the Way to Health” programme is working towards encouraging physical activity for all. The walk programme is a gentle way to introduce you to exercise. All walks are led by a trained walk leader and have a back marker, so no matter what your pace you can join in our friendly walks programme.
Walks are run from Eastrop Park every Monday, except bank holidays. Meet at the Boathouse in the park at 11am, where you can join either of two walks:
Leisure Walk - This walk is generally about 3.5 miles and takes around 75 minutes.
Health Walk - Between 50 - 60 minutes at a more leisurely pace, ideal for any one wishing to improve their health.
Please follow this link for more information on Health Walks in the Borough.
National Cycle Network
Route 23 of the National Cycle Network runs through the park along with other off road routes. Click here for information on cycling in the Borough.
Basingstoke Canal Heritage Footpath
The Basingstoke Canal Heritage Footpath runs approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) from Festival Place, through Eastrop Park, across Basing Fen and on to Basing House, closely following the original canal route. A linear walk the footpath does connect to other paths, including a route through Crabtree Plantation and Black Dam Nature Reserve, allowing you to take an alternative route back to Basingstoke. For the weary it is possible to return by bus from Old Basing and travel information can be obtained from Stagecoach. Recently refurbished wooden information boards along the path provide walkers with information about the canal and the local wildlife.
The first section of the footpath from Festival Place to the start of Basing Fen is tarmacked however after that the terrain is uneven and walkers must cross grassland, a narrow boardwalk and follow tracks which can be muddy at times.
The Walk guide is available for collection from the Civic Offices or for you to download here.
NEW!!! The Basing Trail
The Basing Trail is a marked circular walk leading to the picturesque village of Old Basing. This trail not only takes you through our attractive Green Flag parks, it also encompasses the famous Civil War site of Basing House; its ruins, surviving buildings and earthworks which still bear the scars of its historic siege.
The walk is very flexible with short cuts to create walks of either 2,3 or 4.5 miles. Interpretation panels are located at key points along the trail. Trail leaflets can be obtained from Basingstoke railway station, the Millstone public house in Old Basing and from Basing House or by clicking on this link.
The Fountains
The fountains were installed in winter and are so far doing a grand job of enhancing the look and feel of the park, reducing the impact of road noise and keeping the dreaded algae at bay.
Image by Brian Self
