Holly Hill Woodland Park
Children will enjoy the streams, bridges, ducks, stepping stones, large rocks, ponds, sunken garden and The River Hamble viewing deck on this walk. There is also an excellent play area at the leisure centre on the opposite side of the road.
The viewpoint over the River Hamble
The Basics
Time: 1 hour (with shorter and longer options below)
Distance: 3.5 km (with shorter and longer options below)
Terrain: Well maintained woodland paths (the low-tide loop is on coastal paths that can only be attempted at low tide)
Pushchair: Yes (but not for the low-tide loop)
Dogs: Yes, but must be on leads around the ponds. The play area is not enclosed.
Refreshments: Holly Hill Café outside the leisure centre on the opposite side of the road sells light snacks and drinks, with particular emphasis on smoothies, milkshakes, sundaes and ice-creams (outdoor seating only) or there is a picnic area inside the woodland park beside the ponds
Toilets: Beside the car park
Public Transport: First buses operate the Solent Ranger X between Portsmouth, Gossport, Fareham and Southampton that stops at the leisure centre
Parking: Free car park off Barnes Lane (Postcode: SO31 7BH - W3W: backdrop/isolating/appealed)
The ponds of Holly Hill Woodland Park have bridges and stepping stones
Holly Hill Woodland Park is a restored example of Victorian landscaped parkland. You will find ponds, exotic tree species, rock features and ornamental bridges as well as native woodland with a fabulous viewpoint over The River Hamble. There are some worthwhile extensions along the foreshore and to a nearby play area.
The Route
To walk around Holly Hill Woodland Park ponds - 2km/less than 30 minutes:
Leave the car park through the main entrance to the woodland park. Initially fork slightly left as you go in on the main looking gravelled path. This will take you down to a wooden fence, where you should then veer right down hill, passing a tree stump with coins stuck in the top. Stick with the path as the ponds come into view to your left and continue until the top of the ponds, where you should round the end and then return down the other side. Along this route you will pass streams, stepping stones, ducks, a picnic-area, a little boardwalk and big rocks to climb on. Just after the grotto, you can either return up the hill to the car park, or turn right and head to Hamble Foreshore and the river viewpoint.
To walk to the Hamble Viewpoint - 3.5km/1 hour:
Follow the path through Cawtes Copse, following signs to Hamble Foreshore Viewpoint. There will be a stream in sight to the right of the path, providing further paddle opportunities. Ignore paths to the right and keep going to a platform that looks out over the River Hamble. With the river behind you, turn right back at the path and then look out for the path to your left that is signposted to the exit and car park. There are also lots of daffodils in this portion of the woods in March. The return path will eventually emerge at the sunken garden where, in early Spring, there is a spectacular camellia. From here the car park is signposted and is only a short distance away.
To walk the low-tide route on the foreshore - 5.5km/1 hour 40mins:
As you approach the Hamble Viewpoint through the woodland you will go over a wooden bridge and then soon after see a small boardwalk to your right. This will be marked by a small, blue, circular marker stating ‘low-tide route’. As the name suggests, this route can only be attempted at low tide. It will curve through woodland first to eventually open up and reach an information board before the foreshore. At the river, turn left and walk along the causeway with water either side. Hamble-le-Rice will be in view to the right on the other side of the water. Look out for the path to your left, with the blue marker that will take you in the direction of a very large riverside house. The path leaves the shore to the right of the house and is then enclosed on either side. As it hits the tarmac access lane, look for the first turn on the left, with another small blue marker. Continue past entrances to some rather grand properties before re-entering Holly Hill Woodland Park. Look for the trail marked exit/car park on your right and follow it all the way back.
To walk to Holly Hill play area:
Across the road from the car park, you will find the leisure centre. Directly in front of this is the trailer of Holly Hill Café and a little further on is the play area set in attractive community parkland.
Did you know?
Holly Hill Woodland Park was once part of a large estate. In the 19th century many exotic species were planted such as Swamp Cyprus, Tree Ferns, Giant Rhubarb and the mighty Redwoods. The rock features were also installed, which are actually all artificial being made of Pulhamite Stone, which is a synthetic, handmade rock.
