ROYAL VICTORIA COUNTRY PARK

The Royal Victoria Country Park comprises some 200 acres of mature woods and grassy parkland overlooking Southampton Water.

The park is dominated by Netley Chapel, all that remains of the great Royal Victoria Hospital, built in 1863 as the main military hospital of Great Britain, treating casualties from both World wars. The Chapel hosts a Heritage Centre which depicts the history of the Hospital from Florence Nightingale to D-Day.

Also within the park are the Military Hospital Cemetery, the Police Training Centre and Netley Sailing Club. On the outskirts is a Wildlife Pond.

The Solent Way long distance path runs along the seaward extremity of the park, providing a superb vantage point for viewing the many ships that use Southampton Water. The liners QE2, Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and many others can be seen at regular intervals going to and from their berths in Southampton Docks.

There is always some activity going on in Southampton Water; Tankers going into the oil terminal at Fawley, container boats into Southampton Container Terminal, ferries to the Isle of Wight and Hythe and many small craft from the marinas and sailing clubs.

The park is the setting for football and cricket matches, bus and caravan rallies, craft fairs and dog shows.

A narrow gauge railway provide trips around a section of the park.

The Park Office & Tea Rooms building is of interest, having been presented to the Hospital by the British Timber Trades Federation. It is probably unique in having 100 rare timbers from all over the British Empire used in its construction. Originally the building was used by the YMCA to provide entertainment for the hospital patients and staff.  The Park Office is also the Countryside Service's main administrative base for the South of Hampshire. The staff include two Park Rangers, a Gardener & three regular volunteers.