Parks, Play Areas & Walks in Fareham: Council Guide

Where are the best parks and play areas in Fareham?

Fareham Borough Council publishes a list of its play areas by neighbourhood, and the details below come from those pages and the council's own walking routes. The borough runs from Portchester in the east to Warsash and Sarisbury Green in the west, so we have grouped things by what you are likely to want: a proper woodland park, somewhere for children, or a walk with a view of the water.

The council's flagship is Holly Hill Woodland Park, which the council's Holly Hill page describes as 35 hectares of historic parkland running from Barnes Lane towards the River Hamble, with lakes, islands, waterfalls, Pulhamite stonework and a fern grotto. The page says it has held a Green Flag award since 2008. It lists a large car park on Barnes Lane with over 80 spaces including disabled bays, toilets (including facilities for disabled people) at the main car park, picnic tables and benches, and dog and litter bins along the paths. For questions the page does not answer, the Countryside Rangers are on 01329 236100.

Which play areas does Fareham Borough Council list?

The council's Fareham play areas page lists sites across Fareham itself. Bath Lane Recreation Ground (PO16 0DX, reached on foot from Lower Bath Lane via the Bath Lane subway and Deanes Park Road) has swings, a roundabout, climbing units, floor games and an inclusive play panel. Park Lane (PO16 7JU) in central Fareham lists an inclusive roundabout, swings, climbing units, a trampoline, a seesaw, a trim trail, an outdoor gym and a skate park.

Elsewhere in Fareham the page lists Blackbrook Park (PO15 5BY), Crossfell Walk (PO14 1HU), Eastern Parade (PO16 0SD), Fareham Park on Henry Cort Drive (PO15 6TL), Funtley Recreation Ground (PO17 5EF), and Sunlight Gardens (PO15 6DG). A new play area in West Street is nearing completion, but on 1 October 2026 the council said it will not open until an independent inspection report has been received, and no opening date has been confirmed (council statement). Each entry names its own equipment, from a sensory pathway at Crossfell Walk to a running track at Fareham Park, so check the page before you set off with a particular age group in mind.

The Stubbington and Hill Head page lists five more: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Park on Gosport Road (PO14 2AE), Metcalfe Avenue (PO14 2HY), Salterns Park on Salterns Road (PO14 3QS), Seafield Park on Illustrious Road (PO14 3LY) and Stubbington Recreation Ground on Bells Lane (PO14 2UA). Seafield Park lists a communication board and floor graphics alongside its inclusive roundabout. For more things to do with children, see our things to do with kids guide.

Where can you walk by the water in Fareham?

The council publishes a series of self-guided walks, each with a duration, a parking note and an accessibility note. They are worth reading in full because several say they cannot be done at high tide.

The Cams Hall walk takes between 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes. It starts from the car park at the end of Shearwater Avenue and follows a footpath between Fareham Creek and Cams Hall golf course, and the page warns walkers to watch for golf balls. The Portchester Castle walk takes 40 minutes to an hour from the castle car park, along footpaths with some stiles, and the council says not to do it at high tide. English Heritage runs the castle itself, and our Portchester Castle guide covers opening times and access.

The River Hamble walk starts at the River Hamble car park on Passage Lane, Warsash, where the page says car park charges apply and there is a toilet block. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes for the round trip on a bumpy gravel path with a bridge and steps, and the council says sections are not passable at high tide. The Hook Lake walk takes the same time, with limited parking around Solent Drive, and also says not to attempt it at high tide.

What about the Titchfield Canal path and countryside walks?

The council's Titchfield Canal walk takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes and starts from the car park off Bridge Street. It crosses three bridges and passes through farmland, and the page warns of some stiles and kissing gates and says the path can flood in bad weather. It names Titchfield village's pubs as the nearby refreshment. For the coast at the end of that canal, see our Hill Head beach guide.

Other council walks include the Holly Hill walk (50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, with gravel paths and some steep slopes), the Brownwich walk (45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with a warning that the cliffs are prone to erosion) and the Hook walk (1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from Hookgate Coppice car park). The Swanwick Nature Reserve walk takes 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes and the council advises against the full route in wet weather and winter because steps are slippery. The Wallington River walk takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes from Wallington Village Hall car park, which the page says is restricted to three hours Monday to Friday.

Is parking free at the coast?

Not always. The council's coastal car parks page lists ten coastal car parks that charge, including Wicor Recreation, Meon Shore, Monks Hill, Salterns Road, Swanwick Shore Road, Passage Lane, Hove-To, Shore Road and the two at Portchester Castle. The council says they are free to holders of a valid Blue Badge, and the page also covers permits and how to pay by cash, card or the PayByPhone app. Charges and time limits differ between car parks and can change, so check the council page or the machine on the day.

Where else can you check?

The council's Holly Hill page and its walks pages are the best starting point, and you can phone the council on 01329 236100. Council pages can lag behind changes on the ground, so check signs on site too. Holly Hill itself is due some work: on 30 September 2026 the council announced a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £1,088,866 for its Holly Hill Rediscovered project, covering lake and path improvements, and Holly Hill won a Silver Gilt award in the 2026 South and South East in Bloom awards (council announcement, awards announcement). If you walk with a dog, our dog-friendly guide covers more.