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 Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3 km
Terrain: Well maintained woodland paths
Pushchair: Yes
Dogs: Yes, but must be on leads around the ponds
Refreshments: Holly Hill Café outside the leisure centre on the opposite side of the road or there is a picnic area inside the park
Toilets: Beside the car park
Parking: Free car park (Postcode: SO31 7BH - W3W: backdrop/isolating/appealed)
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.
The Route
Leave the car park through the main entrance to the park. Follow the path gradually down hill and then turn right at the crossroads. When you reach Waterfall Bridge and the pond turn right and keep heading in the same direction, with the ponds to your left, until the path comes to a natural end at the head of the ponds.
Follow the path as it curves to the left and then travels back along the other side of the pond, still with the water to your left. You will pass streams, stepping stones and a picnic area as well as Waterfall Bridge again.
When you reach the grotto, you have the choice to head up the hill and back to the car park or continue into Cawtes Copse, following signs to Hamble Foreshore.
To reach the foreshore, follow the path straight through the woodland and ignore the paths to your right. You will eventually come to a lovely viewpoint looking across The River Hamble. When done looking at the view, take the path with the wooden fence on your right. After a short while, you will see a main path heading left. Take this path all the way back through Cawtes Copse. This is a quieter part of the park and we were lucky enough to see roe deer on the path in front of us. There are also lots of daffodils here in March.
The path will 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.
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.