Visit

By car

Royal Victoria Country Park is best accessed by car as it's tucked away in the quiet village of Netley, and quite a way off the main routes into Southampton.

Whichever road into Southampton you take, the final mile or so of your journey will be via Victoria Road, named for the Queen who commissioned the hospital at the start of her reign. Once you see the Prince Consort pub on your left, you know the main gate of the park is close by.

Drive in through the gates and follow the signs to a car park of your choice - there are several. Don’t forget to buy a parking ticket or you won't be able to get out through the barriers when you leave.

If you have a few minutes to spare when you leave the park, you may want to drive a mile or so back down Victoria Road into the village of Netley to admire the Abbey ruins. Netley Abbey was visited by Jane Austen when she lived in Southampton and is today managed by English Heritage.

By kayak or dinghy

For those lucky enough to arrive by sea, the Royal Victoria Chapel is visible on your right as you sail up Southampton Water.

The pier is long gone but you may decide to beach yourself on the shore just in front of it. From here, the park's highlights are all within easy reach.

A word of warning - Southampton is a busy port and Southampton Water is the main route in and out for cruise liners, container ships and oil tankers. So be careful, but don't let that stop you enjoying the coastline close to shore.

Looking down Southampton Water towards the Isle of Wight

For those who prefer a more established base from which to explore the area by dinghy, joining Netley Sailing Club may be a good option. You can reach the sailing club via the main gate of Royal Victoria Country Park. The club has its own slipway and holds regular sailing events.