By Katie Isham.
Join our resident mild adventure writer on her latest exploration of Southampton and surrounding areas.
When is a farm not a farm? When it’s a park instead. A charming suburban park right at the heart of Hedge End.
Dowd’s Farm used to belong to Vera White and generations before her. When she died in 2000, she left the farmhouse and the land to the Salvation Army. It was then turned into the housing development which is now well and truly embedded into the landscape and community. Spring is a great time to take a circular route of one of Southampton’s youngest parks.
Arriving by car, it’s best to park in the small car park off Tollbar Way, but there are many walking routes onto the land feeding in from the residential streets.
On arrival at the park, the sky is dominated by the lines of a local pylon. Its cables stretching across the field like arms welcoming visitors. Head toward its electric embrace; stride across the grass. Skirt to the left in the direction of the hedge to join a path.
Here there are two options. A paved walkway slices a route along the back of the neighbouring houses, but a companion course runs parallel with only a hedge separating them. The other is a more undulating, usually soggy (not in the current spring drought situation), woodland terrain. Make a choice, but keep an eye out for tiny bird dive-bombers if exploring off-piste.
At the end of the day (or the hedge) both trails arrive at an interesting point. The feet of the pylon are dug into the woodland earth and the massive legs stretch, like an invading alien, through the trees. Gawp up in awe at its metallic might. Scurry below its power to the right as if escaping into the tree-lined path.
These trees lead round to more landscaped terrain. A forked path provides more options. Take the left prong to reach the pond. As ponds go, it’s top ten material. Hats off to the designers here. Waves of grass roll down the banks; bountiful bullrushes bunch up around the edges; every side is adorned with a variety of trees, currently luminous in their spring greens. And the positioning of the benches is commendable. Take a moment: lean back, breathe and ponder the beauty of the pond.
Can’t sit forever though. Loop the pond – it’d be rude not to – then ascend the bank in the direction of the houses that front the park. Imagine being a frisbee throw from door to ducks. The residents of Dowd’s Farm Park are living the dream.
Here a line of adolescent trees loiters along the path, softening the transition back to tarmac travels. Steer to the right and follow the path past the primary school on the left and the playpark on the right. The local youths have no excuse for not logging their outdoor hours. Pause at the park to let any little people in your party swing their little imaginations and slide through their sunshine days.
Yet Dowd’s Farm Park has creative stimuli for all, no matter how young or old the mind. Dotted around the park are works of art inspired by the history of the local area and co-created by children from a local school. This sculpture trail was installed fifteen years ago and is now itself, part of the history of the park. It might not be clear what the mosaic mound is, but it’s art and it’s there for all to experience.
The rest of the park boasts a great big grassy space. Perfect for the imagination and games of all, a horde of local dogs included. Who knows what Vera White had in mind when she bequeathed her land to the local community, but this seems like a very good use. There is beauty, function, fun, fish and many beautiful trees. The park is only young, and as it grows, the community will enjoy and enhance it as Vera’s farm provides nurture and cultivation in a different form.
Cost: Free for walking. Free parking in the local car park. Free playpark. Free art. Free moments of tranquillity.
Accessibility: Dowd’s Farm Park is just off Tollbar Way, a main artery through Hedge End. Bluestar 14 and 24 buses pass stop in nearby Hedge End and the train station is a 15-minute walk to the park. The paths around the site are shingle paved or some go off onto hard woodland terrain. There are also smoothly paved routes around the main playpark and pond.
Facilities: Free car park, large play area and a whole host of retail facilities a stone’s throw from the site, but little actual facilities at the park.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
