Where to go · Hampshire
Forest bathing at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Beech woods planted in the 1930s on the South Downs, beside Butser Hill, with waymarked trails from the visitor centre.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park covers about 2,000 acres of woodland and downland on the A3 south of Petersfield, inside the South Downs National Park. The woods on War Down are mostly beech, planted in the 1930s, and next to them Butser Hill is the highest point on the South Downs. It is run by Hampshire County Council and is free to enter.
Most people start at the visitor centre, which has a café, toilets and free all-terrain mobility scooters. The three waymarked walking trails head up into the beech woods; the Forest car park gives quicker access to the trees. The park also has graded mountain bike trails, so keep to the walking routes and you will find it calmer, especially on weekdays. Introductory forest bathing sessions have been held here.
Practical
- Managed by
- Hampshire County Council
- Parking
- Paid parking (card only, number plate recognition)
- Terrain
- Forest tracks and natural paths, some hills
- Nearest station
- Petersfield, about 3 miles, with a tarmac cycle route to the park
- Facilities
- Visitor centre, café, toilets including accessible toilets, free all-terrain mobility scooter hire
- Opening and entry
- Free entry; Forest and Butser car parks open 24 hours
- Official page
- hants.gov.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides nearby
Two guides within 15 miles of Queen Elizabeth Country Park
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Rachel Maynard
Chichester Forest Schools CIC
Chichester, West Sussex
UnclaimedTrained by Nature and Therapy UK
Public group sessionsSchools and young people
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Laura White
Earth Queen Magick
Chichester, West Sussex
UnclaimedTrained by Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
Public group sessions
More woodlands in Hampshire
All venues in Hampshire
Alice Holt ForestFormer royal forest with old naval oak, pine and an easy access trail
Blackwater Arboretum and Tall Trees TrailGiant redwoods, old Douglas firs and level gravel paths off the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
BolderwoodOld Douglas firs, veteran trees and ancient woodland in the middle of the New ForestPhotos: Alice Holt Forest, Colin Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0); Blackwater Arboretum and Tall Trees Trail, Pebble (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bolderwood, Stuart Logan (CC BY-SA 2.0).