Things to do
Find your adventure at Itchen Valley Country Park
Woodland Café and Visitor Information Desk
Our Woodland Café is housed in a beautiful barn along with our visitor information desk and The Holt, our woodland indoor play area for children aged six and under. The barn was built in the style of a 17th Century Hampshire Aisle Barn and constructed using the traditional methods of that period, from timber brought down on the Beaulieu estate during the 1987 storms.
Art exhibitions
The Woodland Café regularly exhibits the work of local artists, with the opportunity to purchase originals, prints and gifts. Works are displayed across the café's interior, so have a browse and admire their talents during your visit.
Check out the events page to see who is currently being featured.
Craft workshops
We are hosting a series of craft workshops to help you get back to nature by learning a traditional craft using materials and drawing inspiration from the English countryside. Whatever workshop you choose, an experienced trainer will be there to guide you through the craft.
Barbecues
We have two permanent BBQ's available for hire throughout the year. Each BBQ pitch is suitable for parties of up to 60 people.
Go Ape!
We are home to the adrenaline fuelled, award-winning tree top adventure Go Ape!
Tucked away in our beautiful woodland with the River Itchen running through its heart, the Itchen Valley Go Ape! boasts some of the highest platforms and quickest zip wires in the south. Take to the trees, speed down zip slides, tackle rope bridges, Tarzan swings and crossings; all set high above the forest floor.
You can book you experience on the Go Ape! website.
Play areas for children and families
We have two outdoor fun play areas for children, one perfect for under nine year old’s situated near our Woodland Cafe and an adventure style play area for ages 14 years and under located on High Hill Field. An interactive trail connects the two areas. Made up of a series of animal sculptures for children to play on, the play trail is also suitable for pushchairs.
Our new indoor woodland play area The Holt is perfect for children aged six and under - in The Holt children will find many of the animals who make Itchen Valley Country Park their home! The Holt also hosts a number of activity sessions where children can have a go at simple crafts.
Trails
There are a variety of self-led trails that you can take at your own pace.
Family trails:
The Keepers Trail (£2.50 from the visitor centre)
Nature Detective trail
Tree Trail
Trail guide (the guide can also be purchased from our visitor centre for 60p)
Cycling
Cyclists are welcome to bring their bikes and use our off-road cycle route which is approximately 1.5 miles long and runs through both woodland and open fields.
Orienteering
We have two permanent orienteering courses for the more adventurous to try. The short course is 1.3km in length and takes around 30 minutes to complete, whilst the long course is 3.5km in length and takes around an hour and 20 minutes.
Each course is designed so that you don't need a compass, although if you have one, why not try out your skills! Orienteering packs with full instructions are available to purchase from our Woodland café for £1.50.
Horse riding on our bridle route
Horse riders may purchase a licence, from the Visitor Centre, to use our purpose built 1.35km bridle route. A licence costs £11 until 31 March 2020.