"Brilliant news" Visitor boom after £3.3m country park makeover
Hampshire country park sees a boost in visitor numbers
Visitor numbers have surged at a popular country park following a major makeover, with the park now on course to welcome 400,000 people a year.
Itchen Valley Country Park saw visits rise by 64 per cent following Eastleigh Borough Council’s £3.3 million transformation project.
The park, in West End next to Southampton Airport, brought in an extra £100,000 in its first full year, a goal originally set to be reached over three years. That included £30,000 more from the Woodland Café, £65,000 from parking charges and around £10,000 from events and hire.
The surge in visits occurred between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years.
Cllr Richard Gomer, Liberal Democrat member for West End North, described it as “brilliant news”.
He said: “Itchen Valley is a really important asset for residents of the borough, as well as visitors from Southampton and farther afield.”
The local authority said any surplus would be put back into its country parks, helping to meet increased maintenance costs created by new facilities and higher visitor numbers.
The Hampshire park has also proved a major draw for events, with 4,500 people attending themed trails, workshops and seasonal activities during 2025. Last year’s ABBA tribute concert sold out two months before the event, while this summer’s Queen tribute show also sold out.
Free community activities have expanded too, as more than 230 people joined guided Walk and Talk sessions, while volunteers contributed 537 hours and planted 400 trees.
Cllr Gomer said the rise in visitor numbers was down to staff effort and investment in upgraded facilities.
He said: “Access to green spaces is so important for people’s health and wellbeing, and they help people to connect with and appreciate the natural world.
“Residents should take confidence from the fact that the income and visitor targets have been met ahead of schedule.
“It shows that investing in high-quality public spaces can deliver benefits both for local people and for the long-term sustainability of the park.”
A spokesperson for the local authority added: “We’re very pleased that the improvements delivered by the Itchen Valley Country Park transformation project have meant the three-year target of £100,000 increase in income was delivered in just one year.”