Itchen Valley Country Park

Itchen Valley Country Park

The visitors' centre
Type Country park
Location West End, Hampshire, UK
Area 440 acres (1.8 km2)
Operated by Eastleigh Borough Council
Status Open all year

Itchen Valley Country Park is a country park in West End, Hampshire, England. As the name suggests, the River Itchen runs through the park, which covers 440 acres (1.8 km2).[1] The park has a number of walks and trails, including an off-road cycling track. There are a number of facilities for children, including a play area and a play trail. The Itchen Way footpath borders the park. The park was awarded the Green Flag award in 2009/10 and 2010/11.[2]

Contents

History

The site is on the opposite bank of the river to Southampton Airport, the runway of which is reputedly built over the remains of a Roman villa.[3]

The park was established when over 350 acres (1.4 km2) of the site were acquired by Eastleigh Borough Council in 1979.[4] The visitor centre was built in 1990.[1] In 2010 work started on a Go Ape adventure course in the park, expected to be open to the public in Spring 2011.[5]

Geography

The park contains a 250-acre (100 ha) water meadow nature reserve, 90 acres (36 ha) of ancient woodland (a third of which is classified as "semi-rural"), 60 acres (24 ha) of grazing land and a 40-acre (16 ha) recreation field.[4]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b Eastleigh Borough Council: Itchen Valley Country Park Accessed 5th April 2007
  2. ^ "Green Flag awards". Eastleigh Borough Council website. Eastleigh Borough Council. http://www.webcitation.org/5uWahm3oU. Retrieved 26 November 2010. 
  3. ^ Itchen Locations: Roman Level Accessed 5th April 2007
  4. ^ a b Itchen Locations: Modern Level Accessed 5th April 2007
  5. ^ "Go ahead for Go Ape". Eastleigh Borough Council website. Eastleigh Borough Council. http://www.webcitation.org/5uWcc6D7p. Retrieved 26 November 2010.