Netley Park

Royal Victoria Country Park stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building. 

Today, all that remains of the quarter of a mile long building is the central chapel, but by walking around the park you can get a sense of its enormous scale.

This photo was taken from one end of the hospital building – the chapel was the middle of the building, there was a whole other wing on the other side!

Southampton Water

The country park overlooks Southampton Water, which has a busy, slightly industrial feel – boats of all sizes regularly sail past and there is what looks like a refinery on the opposite shore.

The Beach

The shingle beaches are covered in little shells.

We collected about thirty in ten minutes.

There are ramps down onto the beach for easy access. In other places you have to jump!

Rock Pools and Crabbing

It might not look like it, but rock pools form amongst the pebbles along the beach.

If you look closely, you may spot a crab!

We managed to find quite a few.

Then let them go and watched as they buried themselves again.

Royal Victoria CP Story Trail

The Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park“ and follows Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time…with a little help from your children.

And There’s More

The park also has fields to play in

a miniature railway called the Royal Victoria Railway

a permanent orienteering course (course map available from the Visitor Centre), family activities and a fairy garden…

…with a huge picnic table guarded by a wizard!

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

The Paths

The fields were dry and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along.  

Some still show signs of the past.

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The Royal Victoria Country Park Adventure Play Area play equipment includes things like:

• a large wooden fort with slides, tunnels, nets, a wobbly bridge and easy to climb ramps
• lots of different swings
• a roundabout
• a music wall
• a multiplay for younger children.

Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: The Cedar Rooms cafe and restaurant or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are several, good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seagulls, waterbirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Lepe Country Park

If you need an energy busting day then plan on paddling, sand castles and fossil finding before the tide comes in and then fairy door hunts, adventure play and a nature walk.

Or if you just want somewhere to relax, just sit back and enjoy the view.

Meadows

Alternatively, walk towards the east end of the beach past wild flower meadows on one side and the sea on the other.

This is a buggy friendly route that leads you to the beach, Lepe Point and Stansore Point, where the path becomes much sandier.

Lepe Point Nature Reserve

Lepe Point Nature Reserve, is a protected area of woodland and meadows with a boardwalk, pond and bird hide.

Stansore Point

Stansore Point is a good place to sit and enjoy the view, whether you want to watch huge ships cruise The Solent or gaze across at the Isle of Wight.

D-Day Remnants

There are D-Day remnants near Stansore Point, including pier heads, construction platforms and slip ways.

You can see pictures and find further details on the New Forest Remembers website.

Fossil Finding

At Stansore Point it is also possible to find fossils of shells, plants and mammal bones, including mammoth bones. I understand it is best to look when the tide is out and to bring wellies in case the clay is exposed.

Have a look at the UK Fossil Collecting website for full details.

You can also have a look at the western end of the beach where you can find fossil shells and corals. 

Dinosaur Footprint

Inside the Visitor Centre is a dinosaur footprint, which was found at Lepe. It is on the floor on the right of the desk by the window.

Fairy Door Trails

There are two trails to choose from – one through the Sensory Garden and another across the wild flower meadows and cliffs. 

The doors are marked on a map and are each in a different type of tree with a little explanation about the kind of fairy living inside. 

Lepe Beach

There is a family beach area, which is a very short walk from the car park. 

Further down the beach, low tide reveals a spit of land where we found crabs amongst the rocks, dug holes to catch the sea, built up huge sand castles and found interesting stones, including one of the bone shaped ‘fossils’ mentioned above.

Lepe Country Park Adventure Play Area

The Lepe Country Park Play Area is a wooden adventure play area with equipment that includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• insect shaped springers
• a seesaw
• play houses
• a double slide with easy to climb stairs
• an obstacle course with logs, stumps, ropes and nets
• a wooden climbing frame
• a snake balance trail
• picnic tables
• seats.

Nearest Town: Exbury, New Forest
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO45 1AD

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Try the cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, picnic area, snacks, ice creams, barbecues, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: There are some pathways that are buggy friendly along the seafront.  The beach itself can be hard to push a buggy along because it is divided by wooden posts, many of which have rotted to near sand level and are splintered in places.

Parking: There are two pay and display car parks – one next to the play area and fairy trails and another next to the beach, Visitor Centre and cafe. These are connected by stairs that lead down to the beach but we drove between the two because we were using a buggy. We parked easily in both but it must be very busy at peak times.
Cost of Parking: For April to September start at £2.50 for one hour and an all day ticket costs £9.50.

Wildlife You Might See: Seaside wildlife, seabirds and other birds, butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: September 2017
Information Checked: May 2023

Our visit to Lepe Country Park in Exbury in the New Forest is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

River Hamble Country Park

There are three main areas to the country park – Topfield, Manor Farm and Barnfield.

Topfield

Topfield has a dog walking field and barbecues for hire but we spent most of our time at Barnfield and Manor Farm.

Manor Farm

Within the country park is Manor Farm, a Victorian farm with costumed farm workers, historic farm buildings, free-ranging animals and antiquated tractors.

It has plenty of farm animals, including cows and calves, pigs and piglets and hens and chicks.

There are also two play areas on the farm with climb-on tractors, drivable mini-tractors, sand play tables and balance courses as well as a cafe.

Barnfield

The Barn

Next to the car park is The Barn, a visitor centre and a cafe.

The Adventure Play Area

Also next to the car park is the River Hamble Country Park Adventure Play Area, which is inspired by the Grace Dieu (see below).  It has a ship theme and equipment that includes two ships to play on with slides, climbing walls, nets, bridges and ropes. 

It has a ship theme and equipment that includes two ships to play on with slides, climbing walls, nets, bridges and ropes.  There is also a crow’s nest, a large rope swing and musical instruments. 

The Grace Dieu

The stretch of the River Hamble at Barnfield is the site of the Grace Dieu ship wreck. The Grace Dieu was finished in 1418 and became Henry V’s enormous flagship.

Sadly, she never sailed beyond the Isle of Wight as the crew mutinied. Instead, she was brought to the River Hamble.  In 1439, she was struck by lightning, caught fire and burned to the water level.

The size of the Grace Dieu is marked out next to the adventure play area. The mast of the ship would have been the same length!

The Trails

Waymarked trails criss-cross the country park, passing through woods, along the River Hamble and to a pontoon.

The path from the adventure play area leads you into the woods and along the River Hamble. 

The River Hamble

There are a couple of places along the path to the pontoon where you can access the river. 

People paddle, swim, kayak and paddle board but there are two things to note:

• the currents can be strong and 
• when the tide is out it can be very muddy. 

Please be sure to make all the necessary checks before you go. 

Crabbing on the Pontoon

From this pontoon you can fish for crabs with a line. 

The Barn sells the equipment you need but you have to bring your own bait. Their website has further details and some crabbing guidelines.

HMS Cricket

The country park was home to HMS Cricket, a camp built during World War 2 to house and train the assault craft crews that took part in the D-day landings of 1944.

The remains of the buildings can still be seen around the park and there is also a memorial at Barnfield.

The Manor Farm Fairy Folk Story Trail

Alternatively, try the Hampshire County Council Story Trail* called Manor Farm Fairy Folk.

Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails

*These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, as told by a cute character called the Story Snail. 

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and is divided into numbered story sections that you read out as you reach number markers along the trail.

Finding a Copy of the Story Trail

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a story trail from the internet in written or audio form. Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail.

Nearest Town: Bursledon, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 1BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free but there is an entry fee for Manor Farm.

Where to Eat: At one of the cafes, rent a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, picnic areas, cafe, snacks, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 4 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Several car parks. The ticket machines take cash but you can buy a car park ticket with a card at the Manor Farm Visitor Centre.
Cost of Parking: From £2.50 for the first hour but capped at £7.

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, birds, deer and maybe the odd fairy or two if you follow the story trail!

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: April 2023

Our visit to River Hamble Country Park in Bursledon, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Mudeford Quay Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout 
• two wooden springers 
• a little zip wire 
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and 
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

 

 Our visit to Mudeford Quay in Christchurch is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Boats

There are boat trips from the quay, including the Mudeford Ferry, which will take you across Chichester Harbour and to the beach opposite the quay on Mudeford Sandbank and Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve.  

The ferry only takes cash and sails at various times during the year so be sure to check their website before you go. 

Crabbing

People fish for crabs from the quayside using lines and bait bags, which can be bought on the quayside.  You are asked not to use hooks.

Places to Eat

Along the quay there are a couple of places to eat and also to buy crabbing supplies.

Mudeford Quay Beach

Mudeford Quay Beach is next to the car park and is a small stretch of sandy beach that overlooks Christchurch harbour. 

This beach is a good place to launch a boat, kayak, paddle board etc or to play in the sand.  It’s not really somewhere suitable to paddle or play in the water as it is muddy.

Avon Beach

Avon Beach starts next to the car park, where it is a mixture of sand and shingle. Further along the beach it becomes sandier.  

There is a track running alongside the beach that you can use to find the Avon Beach facilities, which include a shop, cafe and toilets.  

Mudeford Quay Play Area

Next to the quay and car park is Mudeford Quay Play Area, a small adventure play area dominated by a huge ship to plunder. 

The play equipment includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing 
• a wooden ship climbing frame with a slide, nets, a rope bridge and a climbing wall
• a spinning cup
• a seesaw 
• a roundabout 
• two wooden springers 
• a little zip wire 
• a sand play area with chutes
• seats and 
• a picnic table.

Nearest Town: Christchurch, near Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 4AB

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try one of the cafes. 
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, picnic table, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: Large pay and display car park
Cost of Parking: From £1.70 per hour.

Wildlife You Might See: Seabirds, crabs and other sealife.

Information Written: July 2022

Our visit to Mudeford Quay in Christchurch is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rock Pooling

Low tide reveals sandy areas and rock pools where we have spotted fish, crabs and anemones. The rocks can be slippery though so take care.

Be sure to plan your visit around the tides. At high tide there is hardly any beach and it would be easy to become cut off. 

The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and Snorkel Trail

The sea around Kimmeridge Bay is protected as the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. There is a 400m long snorkelling nature trail around the marine reserve that has good visibility. 

For details, drop into the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, which is run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, and has exhibits with information on the bay’s wildlife as well as equipment to hire.

Fossil Hunting

It is easy to find fossils at Kimmeridge Bay. 

This photo shows one of two large fossilised ammonite shells that are visible as you walk along the beach. To find these, turn left at the bottom of the stairs that lead down from the car park and keep your eyes peeled. 

It is also possible to find fossils on or inside rocks lying on the beach (but note that you are not allowed to use hammers). 

If you are very lucky you may even find bones from marine reptiles.  

The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life 

The Etches Collection is a brilliant museum that displays and brings to life the fossils you find at Kimmeridge Bay. It is interactive, modern, fun and informative and a must visit if you are going fossil hunting. 

The museum is about a five minute drive from the beach. We visit  during high tide, whether that is before or after we go to the beach.

Accessibility

The beach is accessed by a steep flight of stairs. The beach itself is fairly flat but the rocks can be slippery when wet. 

There are warning signs that the cliffs are dangerous and can be unstable, so we never go near the cliffs.

Nearest Town: Kimmeridge, near Wareham
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH20 5PF

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: Portaloo toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: The beach is accessed by a steep flight of stairs that are hard to take a buggy down.

Parking: There is good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free but there is a toll road that operates in high season. 

Information Written: October 2019

Our visit to Kimmeridge Bay and The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge, near Wareham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.