Lakeside Country Park
Eastleigh
On this walk, children will enjoy the miniature steam railway, amphitheatre and small play area.
The lakes are popular places for practicing watersports
The Basics
Time: Walking around the circumference of the park and the nature reserve will take about 40 mins.
Distance: Approx 2km around the circumference of the park.
Terrain: Well maintained and surfaced paths.
Pushchair: The paths are suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: See boards around park which show zones for dogs on leads, dogs off leads and no dogs at all.
Refreshments: Plenty of space for picnics or The Lakeside Café
Toilets: There are public toilets near the lakes.
Public Transport: The park has its own bus stop or it is a five minute walk from Southampton Airport Parkway station (Turn right on leaving the station, cross the main road on the pelican crossing and head towards Eastleigh. The entrance is ¼ mile on your left.)
Parking: We parked in the miniature railway car park which is free at weekends and four hours free on weekdays (Postcode: SO50 5DP - W3W: ///deputy.judges.hills)
The art trail goes through the meadows
A walk and a ride on a train! This little country park on the edge of Eastleigh has a very easy and short circular walk passing ponds, a mini train station, a play area, mini golf and a nature reserve.
The Route
Using the map boards around the park, it is quite easy to find your way around. Here is the route that we did:
We began from the miniature railway car park. With the station on your right, walk down the path starting from the lakeside edge of the car park and turn left immediately.
This path goes past the nature reserve and resident herd of cows (on the other side of the fence) towards the lakes. When you reach the buildings, keep the lakes to your right and the buildings to your left and take the perimeter path around the lakes. This curves round and you should always have the lakes to your right.
As you round the northern corner of the park, a path to the left will take you up to a picnic area. Over the train tracks and through a gate on the left is a play area. The play area was looking a bit sorry for itself on our last visit (July 2025) as some of the older equipment has been removed and not replaced, but we have done a bit of research and the good news is that by the end of August, there will be a brand new climbing frame suitable for older children and a zip-line.
Head back to the lakes after the play area and complete your circuit, looking out for a giant bench and then a lawn where geese tend to gather.
There is an optional extension to this walk on and art trail through the nature reserve section of the path where children can look out for the metal images of different wildlife species.
The train is the highlight of a visit to the park with miniature locomotives, replica station, mini golf, shop and cafe. It is £5.50 for an adult return and £4.50 for a child return (2-15yrs). The return journey is the best as it includes the tunnel!
Did you know?
As well as walking, train rides, fishing, orienteering, weightlifting, cycling and running, you can take part in organised water sport activities such as learning to paddle board.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one at Riverside Park in Southampton, which also has a mini steam train.
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