Itchen Valley Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 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 large and fun country park located in West End, Hampshire, England. The beautiful River Itchen flows right through the park, which covers about 440 acres (1.8 square kilometers) of land.
This park is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy many different walks and trails, and there's even a special track for off-road cycling. For younger visitors, the park has a cool play area and a fun play trail. The famous Itchen Way footpath also runs along the edge of the park. Itchen Valley Country Park has won the Green Flag award multiple times, showing it's a well-managed and welcoming green space.
Discovering the Park's Past
The land where Itchen Valley Country Park now stands has an interesting history. It's located across the river from Southampton Airport. Some people believe that the airport's runway might be built over the remains of an old Roman villa!
The park itself was created when Eastleigh Borough Council bought over 350 acres (1.4 square kilometers) of this land in 1979. This was a big step towards making it a public park for everyone to enjoy. A special visitor centre was built in 1990, giving people a place to learn more and get help.
In 2010, work began on an exciting Go Ape adventure course within the park. This popular high-ropes course opened in the spring of 2011, adding even more thrilling activities for visitors. Since February 29, 2020, the park also hosts a free, timed 5km parkrun every Saturday morning, where people can run or walk together.
Exploring the Park's Natural Areas
Itchen Valley Country Park is made up of several different types of natural habitats, each with its own special features:
- Water Meadows: About 250 acres (1 square kilometer) of the park are water meadows. These are special areas that sometimes flood, creating a unique environment for plants and animals. This part of the park is a protected nature reserve.
- Ancient Woodland: The park also has 90 acres (0.36 square kilometers) of ancient woodland. This means the trees have been growing there for a very long time, creating a rich habitat for wildlife. About a third of this woodland is considered "semi-rural," blending wild nature with areas closer to human activity.
- Grazing Land: Around 60 acres (0.24 square kilometers) of the park are used as grazing land, often home to animals like cattle or sheep.
- Recreation Field: There's also a 40-acre (0.16 square kilometer) recreation field, which is a large open space perfect for games, picnics, and other outdoor fun.
Gallery
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The recreation field and playground
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Part of the woodland trail
