Discover Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton
There is so much to do at Royal Victoria Country Park – paddle in the sea, follow a story trail, puff along on a miniature railway, tackle the orienteering course and enjoy The Royal Victoria Country Park Adventure Play Area.
Netley Park
Royal Victoria Country Park stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building.
Today, all that remains of the quarter of a mile long building is the central chapel, but by walking around the park you can get a sense of its enormous scale.
This photo was taken from one end of the hospital building – the chapel was the middle of the building, there was a whole other wing on the other side!
Southampton Water
The country park overlooks Southampton Water, which has a busy, slightly industrial feel – boats of all sizes regularly sail past and there is what looks like a refinery on the opposite shore.
The Beach
The shingle beaches are covered in little shells.
We collected about thirty in ten minutes.
There are ramps down onto the beach for easy access. In other places you have to jump!
Rock Pools and Crabbing
It might not look like it, but rock pools form amongst the pebbles along the beach.
If you look closely, you may spot a crab!
We managed to find quite a few.
Then let them go and watched as they buried themselves again.
Royal Victoria CP Story Trail
The Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park“ and follows Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time…with a little help from your children.
And There’s More
The park also has fields to play in
a miniature railway called the Royal Victoria Railway
a permanent orienteering course (course map available from the Visitor Centre), family activities and a fairy garden…
…with a huge picnic table guarded by a wizard!
The Cedar Rooms
Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.
The Paths
The fields were dry and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along.
Some still show signs of the past.
Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area
The Royal Victoria Country Park Adventure Play Area play equipment includes things like:
- a large wooden fort with slides, tunnels, nets, a wobbly bridge and easy to climb ramps
- lots of different swings
- a roundabout
- a music wall
- a multiplay for younger children.
Visit the Royal Victoria Country Park website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: The Cedar Rooms cafe and restaurant or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.
How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly
Parking: There are several, good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day
Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seagulls, waterbirds and sea creatures.
Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025
Ratings
Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
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