Things to do
There’s plenty for families to enjoy at Itchen Valley Country Park
Woodland Café
Our Woodland Café is housed in a beautiful barn, along with the Holt, our indoor play area for children aged six and under (see below).
The barn was built in the style of a 17th Century Hampshire Aisle Barn and constructed using the traditional methods of that period, from timber brought down on the Beaulieu estate during the 1987 storms.
The Woodland Café provides fresh, easy - on -the - go good quality food. We cater for vegetarians and vegans, as well as those with food allergies and intolerances.
We sell a range of dog treats in the café.
Art exhibitions
The Woodland Café regularly exhibits the work of local artists, with the opportunity to purchase originals, prints and gifts. Works are displayed across the café's interior, so have a browse and admire their talents during your visit.
Local artists who are interested in displaying their work are invited to email:
Outdoor Play Areas
Children can enjoy 5 free outdoor play areas, all wheel and pushchair friendly.
Begin your adventure to find the Den, closest to the Woodland Café with toddler swings, a climbing turret, tunnels and more.
Follow the Forest Trail to find Woodlarks, hand built by our rangers. Children can enjoy a mud kitchen, ‘shop’ and other games to encourage imaginative play.
Explore further along to find the Drey, also built by our rangers. Created to test children’s limits and adventurous sides!
Older children can enjoy The Warren with a large slide, zip wire, swings and climbing apparatus.
End your adventure with play equipment along the Play Trail made by local sculptor Andy Frost.
Indoor Play Area
We have one indoor play area the Holt, situated inside the Woodland Café for children six and under. The Holt is free and open from 10am until 4.30pm.
The Holt was built by local sculptor Andy Frost and children will find many of the animals who make Itchen Valley Country Park their home!
Go Ape Southampton at Itchen Valley
We are home to the adrenaline fuelled, award-winning Go Ape at Itchen Valley!
Tucked away in our beautiful woodland with the River Itchen running through its heart, is Go Ape at Itchen Valley. With three high-ropes experiences and two axe throwing lanes they have adventure covered. Take to the trees and experience some of the highest platforms and fastest ziplines in the south of England. Alternatively, chance your arm with an axe and see if you can hit a bullseye. Ready. Set. Throw!
Trails and self-led activities
We set themed family trails with prizes throughout the year or you can use our trail guide to find your own adventure by exploring the waymarked routes.
Our Felix Fox trail is available all-year-round:
Fitness with Felix trail
Be guided by Felix the Fox signs as you take part in fun physical activity challenges around the forest trail at the Country Park.
Free activity sheets
Entertain your little ones and promote outdoor discovery!
We have a number of free seasonal activity sheets you can download to your phone or print off at home before coming to the park including nature hunts, quizzes, and activities linked to the national curriculum for learning in the outdoors.
Cycling
Cyclists are welcome to bring their bikes and use our off-road cycle route which is approximately 1.5 miles long and runs through both woodland and open fields.
Horse riding on our multi-use trail
Horse riders may purchase a licence to use our 1.35km multi-use trail. The trail is shared with walkers but there is a short canter strip just for horses. A licence for 2024 is £60. Please email for an application form.
parkrun
A free weekly 5km timed run, held on Saturdays at 9am by volunteers. Visit the parkrun website for details.
Get two hours parking for the price of one - by placing your one hour parking ticket and parkrun barcode on the dashboard. If you plan to run this event on a regular basis then an annual permit maybe worth your while. This can be purchased for a discounted rate and enables you to park on Saturday mornings up until midday. Please email us ivcp@eastleigh.gov.uk for more information or to request a permit.
Orienteering
Due to the transformation works at the park, our orienteering maps are currently unavailable. Our staff are currently working on creating new maps and we plan to have these will be available to download towards the end of 2024.
Volunteering
We have a great volunteering community that do a great job of maintaining the Country Parks for visitors and wildlife alike as well as giving events a touch of magic. Take a look at the latest opportunities.