Abbey Meadows

• Introduction
• History
• Children's play area
• Future management
• Further information

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.

A little bit of history…

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.

Children's Play Area

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:

• Multi-climbing unit suitable for children with reduced mobility.
• Smaller multi-climbing unit for toddlers
• Snake swing
• Cradle swing
• Mirror swing (where a parent and child can face each other on the same swing)
• Flat swings
• Inclusive mirage swing with a high back and support harness
• Basket (nest) swing
• Stand up see-saw
• Themed play panels
• Fixed musical instruments 
• Rocking horses
• Plenty of seats and picnic tables

You can find out about other play areas across the Borough here.

Future Management

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.

Further information

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.