Itchen Valley Country Park
Encyclopedia
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). 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.
, the runway of which is reputedly built over the remains of a Roman villa.
The park was established when over 350 acres (1.4 km²) of the site were acquired by Eastleigh Borough Council
in 1979. The visitor centre was built in 1990. In 2010 work started on a Go Ape
adventure course in the park, expected to be open to the public in Spring 2011.
, 90 acres (36.4 ha) of ancient woodland (a third of which is classified as "semi-rural"), 60 acres (24.3 ha) of grazing land and a 40 acres (16.2 ha) recreation field.
Country park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
in West End
West End, Hampshire
The Parish of West End in Hampshire is situated within the borough of Eastleigh, and to the north east of the city of Southampton. As well as the village itself, the parish contains the Chartwell Green suburb of Southampton....
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. As the name suggests, the River Itchen
River Itchen, Hampshire
The River Itchen is a river in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river has a total length of , and is noted as one of England's - if not one of the World's - premier chalk streams for fly fishing,...
runs through the park, which covers 440 acres (1.8 km²). 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
Itchen Way
The Itchen Way is a long-distance footpath following the River Itchen in Hampshire, England, from its source near Hinton Ampner House to its mouth at Woolston. The walk finishes at Sholing railway station. The route has been promoted by the Eastleigh Group of the Ramblers with grant aid from...
footpath borders the park. The park was awarded the Green Flag award
Green Flag award
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards...
in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
History
The site is on the opposite bank of the river to Southampton AirportSouthampton Airport
Southampton Airport is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located north north-east of Southampton, in the Borough of Eastleigh within Hampshire, England....
, the runway of which is reputedly built over the remains of a Roman villa.
The park was established when over 350 acres (1.4 km²) of the site were acquired by Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh (borough)
The Borough of Eastleigh is a local government district and borough in Hampshire, England, bordering the unitary authority of Southampton, Test Valley, the City of Winchester and the borough of Fareham. Eastleigh is separated from the New Forest by Southampton Water...
in 1979. The visitor centre was built in 1990. In 2010 work started on a Go Ape
Go Ape
Go Ape Ltd. is an outdoor pursuits company which runs 26 high wire adventure courses in forests in England, Scotland and Wales consisting of rope ladders, zip-lines, rope bridges, trapezes and swings...
adventure course in the park, expected to be open to the public in Spring 2011.
Geography
The park contains a 250 acres (101.2 ha) water meadow nature reserveNature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
, 90 acres (36.4 ha) of ancient woodland (a third of which is classified as "semi-rural"), 60 acres (24.3 ha) of grazing land and a 40 acres (16.2 ha) recreation field.