Parks & Recreation Grounds

Situated in the south of the parish, Mill Park provides an ideal leisure opportunity for all the family with extensive children’s play areas, a skate park, fishing platforms and walks around the lake (dogs must be kept on the lead around the lake). The old boat house houses a café (not managed by the Town Council) and there is an adjacent McDonalds making this a popular family venue. Day ticket fishing permits are required by those wishing to fish in the lake; these are available from the Café 01344 450014 or from Crowthorne Angling Centre, 91-95 Church Street, Crowthorne, Tel: 01344 777411. There is free parking on site.
 

This recreation ground houses the Town Council’s Works Depot. There is a large wellappointed community hall with kitchen (including a microwave and full size cooker), football pitches, changing facilities and children’s play areas. Jean’s Pond (for which seasonal fishing permits may be purchased at Brooke House) offers the opportunity to fish in a tranquil setting. A large free car park completes the facilities.
 

Recently refurbished this town centre park offers local office workers and neighbours the opportunity to stretch their legs in an attractive urban setting. The park also includes a children’s play area, teenage meeting shelter, seating, picnic tables and junior football pitches. Parking (limited on weekdays) is available next to the Avis building off Park Road.
 

This attractive park is on the borders of Bracknell Town and Binfield parishes. Ideal for a family picnic the park is a particular favourite with younger children. It has a very popular paddling pool open during the summer months. In addition to the paddling pool Jocks Lane boasts a well appointed play area, miniature golf, tennis courts, a basketball ring, a boules (pétanque) court and a hard surface kick-about area. Two junior football pitches and a large free car park complete the facilities at this splendid park. Jocks Lane also plays host to the Bracknell Railway Society which provides miniature steam train rides on selected dates throughout the year. See www.bracknellrailwaysociety.co.uk for running times and further details. The Pavilion (open most weekends and school holidays, but subject to closure in inclement weather) provides public toilets and a coffee shop serving light refreshments. Also situated within the Pavilion is the attractive Copse Suite which is available for hire (see details under Halls for Hire page 32). Leading from the park is a pleasant walk along The Cut with access to Jocks Copse and Tinkers Copse (these copses are maintained by Bracknell Forest Borough Council). In the spring bluebells abound and you may be lucky enough to see a kingfisher by the water.
 

Situated on the southern edge of the parish is the Town Council’s largest recreation area – Great Hollands. This park offers a wide range of facilities for all the family including seating and picnic tables. The Pavilion (open most weekends and school holidays, but subject to closure in inclement weather) has public toilets and a coffee shop offering light refreshments. Changing facilities and floodlighting (for the tennis / netball courts) are available when required, at extra cost. Other facilities include a paddling pool, tennis courts, tennis practice court / ball games area, football pitches, netball courts, a full size cricket square and children's play area.

Also on the site is Great Hollands Bowls Club whose Club House and rink are situated adjacent to the Pavilion. One rink of the bowling green is available for public hire through the Pavilion coffee shop. Overall the Great Hollands recreation area, South Road allotments and Home Farm play area create a large attractive outdoor facility for local families, sports people and dog walkers.

The Birch Hill recreation area boasts a top of the range full size synthetic pitch available to be hired for hockey or football. Changing facilities and floodlighting are available when required, at extra cost. During winter evenings the Town Council opens a kiosk selling hot drinks and light refreshments. Birch Hill also provides one full sized, one intermediate and one junior grass football pitch, all of which are available for hire. There is a selection of play equipment suitable for a large age range, an outdoor basketball court and a large hard surface fenced kick-about area. Adjacent to the play area is a teenage meeting place with shelter. The on-site Pavilion is leased to the Bracknell Hockey Club who regularly use the synthetic pitch. A large car park completes the facilities.
Bracknell Hockey Club has a Hall with bar facilities. Details can be found at: www.bracknellhockeyclub.com
 

This attractive grassed area (across the road from South Hill Park Arts Centre) is popular with families and dog walkers. Twice a year in spring and autumn the ground is let out for use by a Fun Fair. The fishing rights on North Lake are managed by the Bracknell Herons Fishing Club. Day tickets to fish can be obtained from the Café at Mill Park 01344 450014 or from Crowthorne Angling Centre, 91-95 Church Street, Crowthorne, Tel: 01344 777411. At the far side of the recreation ground is a small children’s play area, bounded by woodland which in spring is a mass of bluebells.
 

Domesday Copse, the woodland area at Wildridings is managed as a partnership between Bracknell Forest Borough Rangers, Bracknell Town Council and a Local Voluntary Group. In early 2007 significant work was under taken in the copse including the removal of dead trees, a heavy growth of brambles and the layering of a hedge between the car park and the copse. This type of work enables younger trees to grow whilst still providing an ideal habitat for wildlife.
 

The Town Council is responsible for managing a number of woodland areas around the town and has a policy of cutting back the undergrowth to allow better visibility for users and to encourage wild flowers to establish.
 

The Town Council is committed to working in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council in its award winning programme Bracknell in Bloom, part of the Britain in Bloom initiative. Bracknell has a record of success in this competition which involves many parts of the local community including local businesses and schools.