Eastleigh brings together a range of travel interests: nature and wildlife at Lakeside Country Park, leisure activities around the Miniature Railway and go-karting, as well as cultural venues and events. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first what you’d most like to focus on. If you’re looking for scenery and wildlife, you can make the park part of your nature itinerary; if you prefer activities, you can compare the railway ride and two separate 9-hole offerings. Culture enthusiasts can also explore events and local history.
Nature and wildlife at Lakeside Country Park
Lakeside Country Park covers 22 hectares of lakes, wet meadows and woodland. It’s also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, insects, small mammals, deer, foxes and bat species. The landscape and wildlife offer two distinct focuses, both of which you can take into account when planning your visit. Stand-up paddleboarding at Lakeside Country Park requires an organised group. Bear this in mind if you’re planning to include the water sport in your trip.
Rides and active leisure
Eastleigh Lakeside Miniature Railway takes passengers on a ride around Lakeside Country Park. The railway also has a new 9-hole crazy golf course. TeamSport Go Karting Southampton offers a 500 m multi-level race track and a motorsport-themed 9-hole mini-golf course. Despite its name, the venue is located in Eastleigh.
The two 9-hole offerings differ in theme: at the Miniature Railway, crazy golf accompanies the ride around Lakeside Country Park; at TeamSport, the mini-golf course has a motorsport theme and is part of the offering alongside the race track. If you want to plan your leisure time around a particular activity, you can weigh up a railway ride, a round of golf or go-karting without treating these as a single activity.
Culture, café and historical traces
The Point is located in Eastleigh’s renovated Victorian town hall. Its café-bar offers a varied daytime menu with lunch, cake, coffee and drinks. This gives culture enthusiasts a specific place to visit, where they can combine a visit to the venue with a café stop.
The annual Eastleigh Mela celebrates the city’s diverse cultures with music, dance and food from around the world; it usually takes place in July. Check the specific event dates before your trip. You can visit historical landmarks along the Heritage Trail; check the route details before setting out. Eastleigh Museum is currently closed to the public. Check its operating status again before your trip.
Getting there and choosing accommodation
Eastleigh railway station has direct connections to London and the north of England. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel date.
Discover more destinations: East Meon, St Mary Bourne, Overton, Plaitford, Aldershot, Liss, Hambledon, Buriton.
For the broader travel overview: Hampshire.
