Itchen Valley Country Park | |
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The visitors' centre |
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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]
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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]
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]
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