Opening times
Gates open at 5.30am everyday (including Christmas day).
From 1 October to 31 March gates are locked at 6.30pm.
From 1 April to 30 September gates are locked at 8.30pm
Toilets are open from 9.30am - 4.30pm each day.
All buildings are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day but the park is open as usual.
Woodland Café
Our Woodland Café serves a range of fresh, delicious food and hot drinks.
Opening times
The café is open seven days a week, 10am until 4.30pm.
On Saturdays, we open from 9am to accommodate parkrun attendees and other early risers when a choice of sausage and bacon baps are made available.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome inside.
Directions
Allington Lane,
West End,
Southampton SO30 3HQ
By car
The SatNav postcode SO30 3HQ brings you to our main entrance.
Itchen Valley Country Park is situated just off the A27. Exit the M27 at Junction 5 from the west, or Junction 7 from the east. Follow the brown tourist signs to the country park on the A27 (towards West End) from either direction.
Parking
Daily charges
Payment is by RingGo only and we suggest downloading the app before your visit.
The RingGo location code for Itchen Valley country park is 4910.
Up to one hour £2.10
Up to two hours £3.40
Up to three hours £4.40
Up to and over four hours £5.10
Coach parking
Coach parking is charged at £27 per day.
Easier parking system to arrive at Itchen Valley Country Park
As part of the ongoing regeneration and improvements at Itchen Valley Country Park, West End visitors will see ANPR arrive to the park later this summer and make paying for parking easier.
If you're unable to use RingGo, please visit the Woodland Café to pay for your parking. You'll receive a paper permit, which must be displayed in your car.
When ANPR arrives later this year, the new system will record your details when you arrive and you can enjoy the park and its facilities for as long as you wish, and pay at the end of your visit, for just the time you have stayed. This system will replace the current Pay & Display system that requires visitors to pay for a fixed time period on arrival.
There are currently no changes to parking charges. Any changes to the parking arrangements will be considered by Hedge End, West End and Botley Area Committee following public consultation.
Annual/Seasonal parking permits
You can purchase a permit through RingGo via their app, website or by calling 02380 982 984. The RingGo location code for Itchen Valley country park is 4910.
Annual permits: £60
Six-monthly permits: £34
Quarterly permits: £22
Paper permits
New paper permits are no longer issued. However, if you have a valid paper permit you will need to continue displaying this when you visit the park until the expiry date.
When this runs out, you can then purchase a digital permit. All new digital permits are specific to a vehicle registration. Your car registration is stored centrally and will be checked to ensure your permit is in date.
BBQ’s are prohibited
Due to the fire risk to people and wildlife at Itchen Valley Country Park, we do not accept the use of any BBQ’s on site under any circumstances.
Dog friendly
We welcome caring dog owners to our country park. If your dog is sensible off the lead, you can let them run on the High Hill Field - the large recreation area at the top of the main driveway.
Please keep your dog on the lead in all other areas of the park, including woodland and nature trails, as well as the visitor centre and café.
Only assistance dogs can access play areas.
Our park is covered by a ‘poop-scoop’ by-law so you must clean up after your dog. You’ll find dog bins behind our visitor centre and around the edge of High Hill Field.
We are aligned with Bird Aware Solent's Canine Code
Self-service dog wash machine
Avoid muddy paws in the car and at home after your walk by using the Polygon Pets dog wash. Located to the side of the Kingfisher Barn, it's just £4 for a wash that includes warm water, shampoos and a blow dry. Payment is by card only.
Other important information
Accessibility
All our paths are wheel friendly, we have a wheelchair accessible toilet and our Visitor Centre and Woodland Café are all on ground floor level.
We have priority parking for Blue Badge holders in our main car park.
Flying drones
Due to the proximity of the country park to the airport, visitors are not permitted to fly drones in the park.