Stoke Common Park
Residents can enjoy the new SANG (Sustainable Alternative Natural Greenspace) in the Borough
Dog walkers, cyclists, nature lovers, and anyone simply out for a stroll can now take time out from busy lives to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Stoke Common Park, a welcoming haven for wildlife.
Stoke Common Park, located to the north-east of Bishopstoke, is open to the public and providing a valuable new green space for the community.
The area of green space is called a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace). Which is a semi-rural area of open space designed to encourage recreation while helping to divert visitor pressure away from the ecologically sensitive areas of the New Forest.
This new 'green lung' delivered within Eastleigh Borough offers an important community asset alongside increased housing in the area. As well as providing an attractive place for people to enjoy, the site enhances ecological and environmental diversity, bringing clear benefits for wildlife.
The 21-hectare site, previously used for cattle grazing, now largely comprises open grassland bordered by established trees. A network of footpaths now weaves through the park, supported by new hedgerows and tree planting that help define routes and habitats.
Visitors can enjoy a range of features including seating and picnic areas at key locations, information and interpretation boards, clear signage, and conveniently placed litter and dog-waste bins.
The park also incorporates a variety of green features and habitat enhancements, such as native planting, log piles, and bird and bat boxes, all designed to support biodiversity.
Parking is available at Stoke Common Cemetery Car Park, with access via the woodland walk or along the bridleway to the north of Sewall Drive and the fish farm.
The park can also be reached on foot via several existing paths through Stoke Park Woods, with pedestrian entrances from Hardings Lane, Savernake Way, the rear of the Fox and Hounds Pub, and the adjoining Upperbarn Copse and Crowdhill Copse.
The wider Stoke Park Farm area already supports protected great crested newts, and ongoing conservation work continues through the creation of new ponds and habitats delivered in partnership with the Newt Conservation Partnership and Naturespace. Work on this additional eight-hectare site begins in spring 2025.
These ponds and habitat improvements are expected to deliver wider biodiversity benefits beyond newts alone, supporting the objectives set out in the Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and strengthening the area’s ecological resilience.
