Some of these cookies are necessary to make the site work. We’d also like to use optional cookies to help improve your experience on the site. You can manage your optional cookie preferences below. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. Your preferences can be changed at any time.
For further details, see our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy
Essential cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies; they can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences. Third party functions such as Google Search and Analytics will not be enabled.
Performance settings enable you to use the Google Search engine on our website and help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage (for example, which of our pages are most frequently visited).
Abbey Meadows is the Council's new public open space. Running adjacent to Southampton Road in Titchfield, it has around 20 hectares of land, which comprises a children's play area, footpaths, wildflower meadows, dog-walking areas, educational wildlife areas and an active apiary (beehive area).
Abbey Meadows offers a tranquil place to visit within Fareham and forms a key component of the Titchfield Abbey Conservation Area set within the Meon Valley. Its position in the landscape and its connectivity to the wider countryside offers an excellent opportunity in this informal setting for the Council to promote biodiversity as a key management objective, and assist us meeting climate change challenges in the coming years ahead.
The Council has already started establishing some pilot wildflower meadow areas and has identified new opportunities for additional hedgerows, tree planting schemes and grasslands with native species offering good pollination sources for dwindling insect species. Future plans will also include the establishment of a new community orchard and a small native woodland area to support and increase the site's overall biodiversity value.
A large portion of the site will enable dogs to be exercised off lead under supervision. However, there are some restrictions in other areas which will help us to develop the site for both recreation and wildlife interests.
Car parking is available at Mill Lane Recreation Ground, off Mill Lane and also off Cartwright Drive where the new play area is best accessed. Parking is free.
Please be aware that there are no toilets on the site. The nearest Council managed facilities are located at Barry's Meadow, Titchfield, PO14 4AJ.
Historic data and map sources, dating from as early as 1610, show the land as predominately agricultural and associated with the manorial estate of Titchfield Abbey, which is a medieval ancient monument.
With its long history of active agricultural improvement and recent periods of abandoned pasture, the landscape today has changed very little and comprises a number of fields split into compartments by recently planted hedgerows.
The site is dissected by a stream valley (draining into the River Meon) located centrally within the site. This valley has been developed and adapted for use as a course fishery, with three large ponds constructed on the site in 1979 and now owned and managed by the Portsmouth District Angling Society.
Fareham Borough Council has installed interpretation panels on the site which outline the history of the site, as well as landscape features and wildlife interest throughout the seasons.
Located just off Cartwright Drive, Abbey Meadows Play Area offers a wide range of exciting play equipment for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy. It includes an accessible themed climbing unit, a selection of swings and even some fixed musical instruments, as well as seating and picnic tables. The design of the play area was also specifically selected to mirror Titchfield Abbey.
Equipment includes:
You can find out about other play areas across the Borough here.
A management plan for Abbey Meadows is being developed and will outline the key objectives for the site and provide an annual programme to set out the work required to achieve these objectives.
As the site develops there will be more information on this webpage, including news of events/guided walks, wildlife sightings and more
We would be pleased to hear from you if you are interested in becoming involved with the management of Abbey Meadows. This could be with general maintenance as well as assisting with wildlife surveying and recording. Please email the Countryside Officer at conservation@fareham.gov.uk.
For more information about the open space please contact the Countryside Team on 01329 236100 or conservation@fareham.gov.uk.
For more information about the play area please contact the Leisure and Community Team on 01329 236100 or email leisure@fareham.gov.uk.
Please also contact the Countryside Team if you know of any faults, such as damaged signs, fences, fly tipping, excessive litter or obstructions on footpaths, or you can also let us know by emailing customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk.
Back to Top
How to get here
