Southampton Common is a great place for the whole family
Based right in the center of Southampton City and designated “Site of Special Scientific Interest”by Southampton City council, Southampton Common is a large open space that is home to The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, a lake, a play park, and a large flat field.
Southampton Common covers a huge area of Southampton is great for scooters and buggies. There’s plenty of parking around the outside and you never have to take the same path twice.
Supporting a huge range of wildlife, Southampton Common covers 365 acres of parkland that is ready to be explored. This is a family park that has loads of hidden trails and paths. Perfect if your family like to walk the untracked and get out of the busy city center.
If you are looking for more things to do near Southampton Common then have a look at:
The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids – This is the biggest list of things to do in Southampton with your whole family. We have everything from museums, to walks to attractions.
The Definitive Guide To Days Out in Hampshire – Looking for things to do in Hampshire with the kids? Then use our huge list here to find something to do today.
The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire – On a summer’s day, there is nothing better than visiting one of Hampshire’s amazing country parks.
Things to do in Hampshire Guide
Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!
Find out more about our Things to do in Hampshire Guide here.
This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks.
Where is Southampton Common?
Southampton Common can be found at The Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 7NN.
Just a few minutes from the center of Southampton, you can either walk along The Avenue or catch a bus U1A at The Courts on London Road and get off at Southampton Common.
Where to park at Southampton Common?
The best place to park is down Cemetery Road. The address is Cemetery Road, Southampton SO15 7NN.
Parking is free for up to 4 hours and there are parking bays all the way down. This is directly next to Southampton Common.
What to do at Southampton Common?
Southampton Common has so much to do for the whole family. If you have a scientific interest then visiting the common is a must.
The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre
Protecting the natural biodiversity of the area, The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre is a great place to visit for all ages.
It is open weekdays between 11am – 3pm and some Sundays depending on if they have volunteers. The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre is a must-visit for all nature lovers.
The Lake
The Lake is a must-see for all nature fans. It is enclosed but is a great way to see local wildlife from fish to dragonflies and ducks!
Playground
The Nature Playground has been built with adventure in mind. The whole park is built on sand. They have a small water area that squirts out plus pumps and water sprays. The play area itself has swings, slides, and a roundabout.
There are loads of benches which are perfect for a picnic and in the summer holidays the small cafe is open for cold drinks and ice creams.
The green
Sat on 365 acres of greenland, Southampton Common has plenty of space for you to play garden games or sit and enjoy the outdoor space.
The paths are flat and concrete which means that it is perfect for bikes, scooters, and pushchairs.
On Saturday mornings, Park run races take place. Please check for times as these do change.
Related Posts:
- The Best Lakes in Hampshire
- The Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Hampshire
- The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly
Where to eat at Southampton Common?
There are loads of places to eat in Southampton Common. You can eat at one of the two cafes that offer meals and snacks throughout the day.
There are loads of picnic benches around the common, especially by the playground that is by The Cowheards pub on the main road.
You can also take a picnic blanket and sit anywhere in the common. There are loads of trees that offer great shade and some tree trunks that are great for climbing.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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