ROYAL VICTORIA COUNTRY PARK
| View from the Country Park looking out over Southampton Water,with Fawley in the background |
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The Royal Victoria Country Park comprises some 200 acres of mature woods and grassy parkland overlooking Southampton Water.
118 Bird species have been recorded in the park, and 55 of these have been credited with breeding status.
24 Different mammals, 4 reptiles, 3 amphibians and 30 species of butterfly have been recorded.
The park is dominated by Netley Chapel, all that remains of the great Royal Victoria Hospital, built in 1863 as the main military hospital of Great Britain, treating casualties from both World wars. The Chapel hosts a Heritage Centre which depicts the history of the Hospital from Florence Nightingale to D-Day.
Also within the park are the Military Hospital Cemetery, the Police Training Centre and Netley Sailing Club. On the outskirts is a Wildlife Pond.
The Solent Way long distance path runs along the seaward extremity of the park, providing a superb vantage point for viewing the many ships that use Southampton Water. The liners QE2, Aurora, Oriana, Oceana, Ocean Village and many others can be seen at regular intervals going to and from their berths in Southampton Docks. In December 2003 Queen Mary 2 joined them. More are due to arrive this year..
There is always some activity going on in Southampton Water; Tankers going into the oil terminal at Fawley, container boats into Southampton Container Terminal, ferries to the Isle of Wight and Hythe and many small craft from the marinas and sailing clubs.
The park is the setting for football and cricket matches, bus and caravan rallies, craft fairs, dog shows and many other events. The park has an average 360,000 recorded visitors each year.
See What's On for a calendar of events.
The Royal Victoria Railway provides trips around a section of the park.
The Park Office & Tea Rooms building is of interest, having been presented to the Hospital by the British Timber Trades Federation. It is probably unique in having 100 rare timbers from all over the British Empire used in its construction. Originally the building was used by the YMCA to provide entertainment for the hospital patients and staff. The Park Office is also the Countryside Service's main administrative base for the South of Hampshire. The staff include two Park Rangers, a Gardener & three regular volunteers.
Snowman in the Park - April 2008!!!