Holly Hill Woodland Park

About the park

Holly Hill Woodland Park is an outstanding historic parkland located in south Hampshire and stretches down to the river Hamble with its 35 hectares of open space which is protected and conserved for its biodiversity ensuring its long term sustainability and provision and enjoyment of the local community.

Holly Hill although essentially a woodland park consists of some unique landscape features having developed since the 1870’s with the planting of specimen trees around the lake area, some of which are still present in the park today.

From 1881 to 1893 extensive waterfalls and lakes were established with a series of islands and some fine examples of Pulhamite Stonework which support the changes in level and culminate in fern grotto.

Fareham Borough Council purchased the park in 1954.

The site has two distinctive areas known as Winnards Copse with its more formal landscape, lakes and ornamental exotic species in contrast to the area known as Cawtes Copse with its mix of native woodland species, some of which is ancient semi-natural woodland.

Download a map of Holly Hill Woodland Park (746kb)

 

Friends of Holly Hill

The Friends of Holly Hill (this is an external hyperlink) are a well established group of volunteers who undertake a considerable amount of work at Holly Hill. The ‘Friends’ have been working at Holly Hill for almost ten years and they meet up every Friday to undertake practical conservation tasks.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Holly Hill Woodland Park (or any other park) we would be pleased to hear from you by either emailing the Ranger at parks@fareham.gov.uk, completing an online countryside volunteer application form or contacting the Friends directly though their webpage. 

 

Events at Holly Hill Woodland Park

Within Fareham there are many events and activities that take place throughout the year many of which take place at Holly Hill. Fareham’s countryside event programme is varied and endeavours to attract a wide section of the community as possible.

Download a volunteer newsletter (366kb) where many practical task days are listed including some at Holly Hill.

 

Walking to Health Programme

There are a series of fifteen self guided walks around Fareham which includes an interesting walk around Holly Hill. The walk lasts approximately 50mins – 1hr 20 minutes.

In addition to the self guided walks above a number of guided walks are provided across the borough which are free and very enjoyable

 

Have your say!

From time to time consultations will be undertaken to obtain views from local residents and visitors to the Park in relation to projects that are being considered.

At the current time we are undertaking research into customer satisfaction so that we can gauge whether visitors are happy with the park and all the work that is being undertaken within it.

 

Holly Hill Woodland Park Management Plan

The ten year management plan covering the period 2008-2017 is now complete and is available (see link below). It has a detailed work programme which sets out the tasks required to achieve the objectives for the next ten years.

Download the full management plan for Holly Hill Woodland Park (4152kb)

 

How to get to Holly Hill Woodland Park

By bus

First Bus Services (this is an external hyperlink) operate and visit Sarisbury Green from Fareham, Gosport and Southampton:

Fareham to Southampton services numbers: 78/78C/79/80/80A/80B

From Gosport numbers: 73/72A/72

Please check local timetables for up to date information

By car

From the East

From the M27, come off at Junction 9, take the exit to Fareham West A27 and follow the A27 towards Sarisbury through Park Gate. Turn left into Barnes Lane at Sarisbury Green. Follow the road until you see the signpost right for Holly Hill Woodland Park.

From the West

From the M27, come off at Junction 8, take the exit to the Hamble, then take the first left along the A27.  Drive over the Hamble bridge through Swanwick and turn right into Barnes Lane at Sarisbury Green.  Follow this road until you see the signpost right for Holly Hill Woodland Park.

 

Facilities within the site

Recently refurbished toilets, including facilities for disabled people are situated at the main car park.

A large car park at Barnes Lane with 88 spaces including a number of parking bays for disabled people close to the entrance.

At Barnes Close limited parking, including disabled bays, is available and provides an easier access point to the park for wheel chair users.

Numerous picnic tables and benches are provided in various locations around the site.

Dog and litter bins are also strategically placed at various locations beside paths and are emptied regularly by the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Team.

There are two way marked trails of varying length following the footpath network around the site. A pony track runs through the park to which riders are restricted.

 

Achievements

Holly Hill Woodland Park has been successful in achieving a Silver medal in the South and South East in Bloom competition during 2007. The park was also judged as part of the Fareham’s overall entry into South and South East in Bloom where we were obtained the highest accolade of ‘Champion of Champions’ during 2007.

 

The park was judged by the Civic Trust during May 2008 and has been successful in obtaining a Green Flag Award. This prestigious award confirms that the park is managed and maintained to a very high standard and also acknowledges the hard work and dedication of both Fareham Borough Council employees and the Friends of Holly Hill.

 

Holly Hill Woodland Park is hoping to achieve Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status during 2008 acknowledging its importance for wildlife and the opportunity it gives for local people to enjoy their local environment, protecting and enhancing this site valuable community facility.

 

Useful Information

Problems?

If you know of any faults, such as damaged signs, fences, fly tipping, excessive litter or obstructions on footpaths you can let us know by using the online form for reporting problems with parks and open spaces or by emailing parks@fareham.gov.uk.

Contact details

For further information about this park or any other countryside site please contact the Countryside Rangers in the Department of Customer Services, Leisure & Community Division on Tel: 01329 824843 or e-mail parks@fareham.gov.uk.

Links to useful websites

Friends of Holly Hill (This is an external hyperlink)

South and South East in Bloom (This is an external hyperlink)

Natural England (This is an external hyperlink)

Green Flag (This is an external hyperlink)