Things to do
From watersports to weightlifting, fishing, Newfoundland dog training, or a visit to the steam railway, there's something for everyone!
Lakeside Steam Railway
The Railway runs every weekend throughout the year and school holidays. Find out more about Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway and plan the perfect family day out!
Café
The cafe is based within the station buildings at Eastleigh Lakeside Railway. They offer classic English breakfasts and a delicious menu of main meals, sandwiches, salads and sides.
Café opening hours:
- Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm
- Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4:30pm
Contact us at [email protected]
Watersports
Waterside tree planting helps to make the ideal sheltered location for registered groups to hold water activities including paddleboarding, canoeing, model boating, open water swimming and Newfoundland training.
For everyone's enjoyment and safety no individual craft, inflatables or swimming by members of the public are permitted
Information and registration documents for lake hire
Contact us at [email protected]
For details of local watersports courses contact:
- Paddle boarding with Adventure 360 07887684104 Email: [email protected]
- Sparsholt College 01962 776441. Email: [email protected]
- Radio Sailing Eastleigh the radio sailing section of the Eastleigh And District Model Boat Club (EDMBC). Email: [email protected]
Fishing
The lakes provide good coarse angling and are open to visitors. Carp, pike, tench, rudd, roach, eel and bream can be found in the waters.
Eastleigh and District Angling Club (EADAC) manage the fishery, and access can be obtained via a day permit (which includes a day's parking permit) or annual membership to the club.
Day permits must be purchased in advance from (subject to the availability and discretion of EADAC):
- Premier Convenience Stores, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5NG (02380 575217)
- Homestores Fishing Tackle, 68 High Road, Swaythling SO16 2HZ
Day permits are not available to purchase from Lakeside Country Park.
Lakeside Weightlifting
Lakeside Weightlifting is Hampshire's first community-based Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting club.
The club believe coaching the principles of weightlifting and power-lifting allow you to connect your mind with your body, to help you find your strength.
Lakeside Weighlifting support both children and adults looking to learn, and develop their ability, strength, and confidence in these exciting, and rapidly growing sports. They offer the opportunity to learn the basics, develop your technique and strength, and if you so wish a pathway into competitive lifting at all levels.
Cycling
Cyclists are welcome to bring their bikes and use our off-road cycle route which is part of the National Cycle Network route 23
Running Route
There is a waymarked 2.5 km running route which is ideal for early morning or evening exercise. It runs around the perimeter of the park and around the lakes.
Orienteering
For visitors who prefer a more active way of enjoying the countryside. Orienteering is using a map to locate a series of control points in the park and it can be timed to make it competitive! There are three courses to suit different levels from beginner to improver. There is also a course at Itchen Valley Country Park. See the British Orienteering website to download the maps.
Demonstration garden
Our demonstration garden aims to introduce plants that will provide year round food and shelter for wildlife, and help show you how you can encourage wildlife into your own gardens. Our volunteers have done a wonderful job planting fruit trees, vegetables, shrubs and plants and managing our pond.
Art Trail
A series of nine steel panels with cut-outs of wildlife can be seen on a short circuit around the site. The artwork was produced by New Forest based artist, Nicola Henshaw, funded by the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. The steel has naturally rusted so it blends in with the surrounding environment. The panels on the bridge between the lakes throw a beautiful shadow onto the ground of Great Crested Grebes, which can also be seen for real on the lakes!
Countryside volunteers
If you love wildlife, being outdoors and are the type of person who longs to be messy in the mud, then volunteering in the outdoors could be for you.