A slice of countryside on your doorstep
Residents can look forward to a spectacular springtime
Residents around Eastleigh Borough can look forward to a spectacular springtime at Itchen Valley Country Park. With bluebells arriving between late April and early May, make sure to mark the dates in your calendar and plan a relaxing walk through the park’s ancient woodlands. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, bluebells are protected and each year during the winter months, the park’s rangers and volunteers dedicate their efforts to maintaining them for future generations to enjoy. Special areas of woodland are managed by creating hedges of coppiced hazel from other areas of the park and brambles are cleared to encourage regrowth.
Early risers to the park will be greeted to some magnificent birdsong too; over 100 species have been recorded at the park. Listen out for chaffinch, goldfinch, garden warbler, redwing and many more. Visitors wishing to learn more about bird identification are encouraged to download the free app Merlin Bird ID to use during their walks.
Free community Walk and Talks are run bi-monthly at the park which are led by an experienced ranger with extensive nature and wildlife knowledge.
Why not make a day of it and stop off at the Woodland Café for some on-the-go food to fuel your adventure? Back by popular demand, jacket potatoes have returned to the springtime menu.
With lighter evenings returning, visitors are encouraged to explore further areas of the park and follow the newly laid path network which takes them to the highest points with beautiful vistas overseeing the park.
Itchen Valley has six free play areas for children to enjoy. Nestled in the heart of Itchen’s ancient woodland is The Dray, hand built by the park’s rangers, where children are encouraged to test their adventurous side and discover their risk-taking abilities. The Warren, Itchen Valley’s newest play facility for older adventurers sits at the top of the park with a large slide, climbing areas, a zip wire and more. Walk along the Play Trail to find Woodlarks, where under-sixes can build upon their imaginative abilities with a mud kitchen, shop, and other play features. Inside the Woodland Café is The Holt, which is suitable for the smallest of adventurers. Young children can explore a fun, colourful and tactile environment whilst in the safe view of their grown-ups.
Itchen Valley hosts a variety of workshops and family trails throughout the year and with the park’s transformation underway, visitors can look forward to lots more exciting events for all the family to enjoy.
Visitors wanting to fulfil their thrill-seeking side can now save on their next family adventure at Go Ape! Southampton. Simply enter FAMILY15 at checkout when you next book TreeTop Challenge.