Recreational Areas & Parks
The page provides an overview of recreational facilities in Fair Oak & Horton Heath, including parks, play areas, and community spaces available for public use.
Knowle Park
In 2006 the Parish Council was gifted a 35-acre site consisting of 6 large agricultural fields by John Gosney, a local farmer. The site is now been developed into a public open space so local residents and its wildlife can enjoy it.
The site is bordered by ancient woodland to the northeast, it has a high ridge running across it affording extensive views towards the Isle of Wight to the south and the Itchen valley to the west. This area is a haven for wildlife, deer and birds of prey are a common sight and there is also evidence of badger activity.
The main access to the park is temporarily (Oct 2017) via the Knowle Lane car park. There are 5 other pedestrian access points including kissing gates at ‘The Beeches’ and at Knowle Lane.
Now that the park is fully developed the two communities have a green space to be proud of and it provides a rural buffer between the two villages. We have planted over 7000 trees, a skate park has been installed and a playground has been constructed with Lottery funding. The allotment site at Knowle Lane has been open for approximately two years now and we have reserved a piece of land next to it to build a new cemetery, but this won’t be required for some time yet.
The Council received a very generous grant from ‘The Veolia Environmental Trust’, so these extensive developments could take place. Over a kilometre of paths have been laid, so most places are accessible throughout the year. A pond with a boardwalk has been built, and an old silted up marsh area cleared, with a dipping platform installed. These will become valuable habitats for aquatic animals and plants.
The viewing mound has an orientation plinth around the old triangulation pillar and there are plenty of benches throughout the park so you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. Three reptile hibernacula provide homes to common lizards and we are creating wildflower meadows in Twynam Field. Please note that cattle will be grazed here in the Spring and Autumn as part of the management of the site. Hopefully the flowers will spread out to other areas of the park.
Splashpad
The Council is proud to have delivered this new exciting infrastructure as requested by the community.
Here are some key FAQs to answer any questions or help address any concerns you may have:
- Opening times
- 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Monday to Sunday from 6 May through to 8 September.
- Onsite toilet facilities
- There is an accessible external toilet at the cafe as well as two Porta Loos which will be secured to prevent antisocial behaviour and will be regularly cleaned and checked.
- Who runs the Splashpad?
- The splashpad is run and managed by the Parish Council’s Operations Team who clean and perform daily safety checks while the splashpad is open. Additional litter picks are performed when needed.
- Parking
- As with other local splashpad sites (Hedge End), parking is limited at the site. Users are encouraged to access the site via greener forms of transport, such as walking and cycling when possible.
- Unfortunately, the Fair Oak Village Hall car park has not been made available for general park users. As such, the Council allows users to park on the hard-standing at New Century Park accessed via Brookfield Road. This car park opens at 9 am and will be closed at 6 pm.
- What about the environment?
- The splashpad has a freshwater flow system and grey-water harvesting. The splashpad is sensor-operated so the water will not constantly run.
- As no chemicals are used to treat this water, the operations team collect the greywater from the underground tank when it's full. This is used to water the living wall at the café, the trees and plants at New Century Park, as well as our hanging baskets situated across the village.
- What about antisocial behaviour on the park?
- The Parish Council has upgraded its CCTV on site and is looking to purchase a roving CCTV camera. The Local Neighbourhood Policing Team will support the Council where appropriate.
- How has the Splashpad been funded?
- The Splashpad has been funded by the Parish Council’s General Reserve Fund and allocated Section 106 (Developer's Contribution) monies from Eastleigh Borough Council.
- Are refreshments available on-site?
- Yes, the Fountain Cafe is open from 9.30-4.30 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a variety of lovely treats including ice-creams, cakes, toasted sandwiches, hot and cold drinks.
- Marrucis Ice Cream van will be a regular visitor to the park during the Splash Pad season.
Fountain Cafe
The Fountain Café, previously hosted by Wyvern College, has a new permanent home in New Century Park, Fair Oak within a brand-new building provided by the Parish Council. It is being run by the Fountain Cafe which is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company whose purpose is to build community togetherness by being a welcoming space, serving affordable food and drink, providing employment and work experience for those with additional learning needs, facilitating volunteering opportunities and developing community partnerships.
The Fountain Community Cafe was made possible through Section 106 Developers' Contributions allocated by the Fair Oak, Bishopstoke, and Horton Heath Local Area Committee (Eastleigh Borough Council) and the Parish Council's reserves.
We are actively applying for additional funding to support initiatives like solar panel retrofit installation, community food planters, and a community fridge/pantry.
Lapstone Farm & Community Orchard
Lapstone Farm is a 5.5 hectare site on Botley Road, almost opposite the Lapstone Pub.
You walk through an open field to the community orchard, here 50 apple, pear and damson trees were planted several years ago, then continue on to the community woodland which has planted with oak, ash and crab apple, along with many other species. Other features of the site include wildflower meadows. There is no parking for the site at present, but it is a very pleasant 20 minute walk. There are several benches on site, where visitors may rest and enjoy the view. A boardwalk links this area to the Lapstone playing fields and a kissing gate leads you towards Firtree Lane linking in with other public footpaths.
Please note that the land is grazed by cattle from May – October, so dogs need to be kept under strict control during this time.
Twynams Field, Knowle Park: Mini Forest
Exciting news – groundworks are taking place at Twynams Field, Knowle Park, for the creation of a mini forest!
Tuesday 24 September marked the start of the Council’s exciting new project to boost biodiversity and environmental sustainability in the area. The groundworks have now begun, preparing a 260-square-metre site for the creation of a mini forest, which will be planted using the Miyawaki method, a renowned Japanese technique for cultivating dense, diverse, native woodlands.
The Miyawaki method focuses on planting a variety of native tree species near each other, replicating the natural regeneration process of forests. Soil improvers will be added to support the growth of saplings, which will be planted at high densities (approximately 1,000 trees will be planted). The trees will grow rapidly as they compete for sunlight, and over time, natural selection will thin out weaker trees, resulting in a healthy, thriving mini forest.
To protect the young trees from local wildlife, such as deer and rabbits, the area will be fenced until the saplings are established. We will also be sowing wildflower seeds to create a mosaic habitat that will help boost local wildlife and pollinators.
In addition, the Parish Council’s Community Development Officer will be organising a series of community planting days, giving residents the opportunity to contribute to the planting and care of the site. The Council is keen to involve the local community in the long-term monitoring of the mini forest, and we encourage residents to form a ‘Friends of Twynams Field’ group to help ensure the legacy of the site’s environmental enhancements.
This project is made possible with the generous funding from the Hampshire Forest Partnership, and we extend our gratitude for their support. The mini forest will not only create new habitats for wildlife but also provide residents with the wellbeing benefits of increased green spaces.
Hampshire Forest Partnership is supporting trial mini forests across the county to test and develop the Miyawaki technique for use in Hampshire. We work with local authorities, Hampshire businesses, schools and community groups to design, plant and maintain these mini forests. Find out more about Miyawaki forests on our website: mini forests.
Want to get involved? Join us for community planting days and help shape this green legacy for future generations! Register your interest here.
Knowle Hill Conservation Area
Public footpaths have been created to allow the community to enjoy this conservation area without disturbing the natural habitat.
New Century Park
The park was a former landfill site in the 1960s The Parish Council bought the land and obtained a grant from Onyx to redevelop the land as open space for the community. The park is complemented by a play area, trim trail and muscle gym.