Manor Farm Country Park
Manor Farm Country Park
Covering an area of 400 acres, the park is a delightful mix of woodland, riverside and open space, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
Wild Life:
The varied landscape of the park supports an abundance of wildlife, with much to reward the careful observer. The majority of the park is a mixture of arable farmland, grassland and ancient semi-natural woodland. The saltmarsh, hedgerows and freshwater ponds, together with the tidal waters of the River Hamble, provide ideal conditions for a variety of specialised flora and fauna.
With such a diversity of habitat in such a relatively compact area, Manor Farm Country Park has much to delight the keen botanist. A short walk in the park will lead you through a mosaic of woodland, wetland, pasture and hedgerow, home to plants as diverse as sea lavender, saltmarsh grass, cow wheat, marsh marigold, primrose, bluebell, bugle and yellow archangel.
Woodland:
Over 150 acres of the park's mixed deciduous woodlands have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They comprise mostly pedunculate oak and hazel, together with ash, wild cherry, crab apple, alder and field maple. However, relative rarities such as wild service and small-leaved lime are also present.
Primrose, lesser celandine, cow-wheat and wood spurge are among the typical woodland plants present, while impressive displays of bluebells and wood anemones can be seen in spring.
Spring and early summer is the best time to catch a glimpse of woodland birds such as treecreepers, chiffchaffs, great and lesser-spotted woodpeckers and in recent years, nightingales. In summer, butterflies such as speckled wood, silver washed fritillary and occasionally white admiral may be seen in the sunny glades.
Riverside:
This stretch of the River Hamble is an ideal place to seek a little peace and quiet. The mudflats along the tidal river attract waders such as curlew and redshank, together with a variety of wildfowl and gull. Little egrets, recently arrived on these shores from the continent, are occasionally seen, together with cormorants, black-headed gulls and grey herons. There is also the chance of glimpsing the electric-blue flash of a kingfisher.
Farm Land
The many miles of mature hedgerow provide essential food and shelter for a wealth of birds, insects and animals. These are ideal places to find birds such as yellowhammer, hedge sparrow and bullfinch, together with butterflies such as meadow brown and gatekeeper. Many new hedgerows have been planted in recent years to complement the existing species-rich banks and hedges, some of which are remnants of former areas of woodland.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Park opening times
All year from 8.30am. Closing varies
Mar 6pm, Apr 7.30pm
May-Aug 8.30pm, Sep 7.30pm
Oct 6pm, Nov-Feb 5pm
Visit the Farm
Until Sun 31 October
Daily 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
| Farm admission |
| Adults |
£6.00 |
| 60+ years |
£5.00 |
| Child |
£4.00 |
| Family (2+2) |
£19.00 |
| Family (2+3) |
£22.00 |
| under 3 years |
Free |
| Season tickets |
| Adults |
£35.00 |
| Child |
£22.00 |
| Concessions |
£29.00 |
| Culture-all Passport (up to 2 adults & 2 children) |
£69.00 |
Farm activities
Milking
10.30am and 3.30pm everyday
Farmyard walks
11.30pm during holiday periods and weekends
Meet the animals
2.15pm everyday
School lessons throughout the day during holiday periods and weekends just listen out for the school bell
The farm shop offers a wide choice of gifts and souvenirs, from postcards to preserves including eggs from the farm's free-range chickens.
How to find us
The park entrance is situated in Pylands Lane, Bursledon, approximately ½ mile from junction 8 of the M27, midway between Portsmouth and Southampton. Follow the brown and white wagon signs. The farm itself a five minute drive from the park entrance through the country park. NB There are speed humps along the route.
Rail: The nearest station is Botley, 1½ miles from the farm.
Bus: Solent Blue Line run buses to Botley and Hedge End
Address:
Manor Farm Country Park
Brook Lane, Botley,
Southampton,
SO30 2ER