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Welcome to Netley Abbey, Nr Southampton Attractions within Netley Abbey Royal Victoria Country Park (RVCP), Netley Abbey Royal Victoria Country Park was opened to the public in 1980. Overlooking Southampton Water, this popular park, covering over 200 acres, is one of the most scenic and delightful areas of South Hampshire.http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/rvcp.htm Royal Victoria Military Hospital (1863 – 1978) RVCP was formerly the site of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital (1863 – 1978). Part of the central block was destroyed by fire in 1963. It was eventually demolished in 1966/7. The Army moved out of D Block in 1978. Today only its Chapel remains. Its fascinating story can be viewed in the Heritage Centre. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/rvcp/history-rvcp.htm Attractions within the RVCP The Heritage Centre The Heritage Centre is sited in the old Chapel which is the only part of the military hospital remaining. This and a special History Trail through the park give light to the fascinating account of this site. Royal Victoria Railway The Royal Victoria Railway is set within the 200 acre Royal Victoria Country Park. The one mile, ten-and-a-quarter inch gauge passenger miniature railway, passes through this scenic woodland. RVR moved onto the site in 1995. There had been a small railway there before, but virtually nothing was left of it. RVR had bought and built everything that is there today. The first year was spent building, and the first train ran on 24th August 1996. YMCA Built in 1940, with samples of trees from around the world, the YMCA was a place for recreation and relaxation. Re-couperating service men and hospital staff spent many an hour here playing snooker and reading etc. The building was constructed using 100 different timbers donated from all over the British Empire. Today it houses the Park Office, tea rooms and function room (Empire Room). Miscellaneous within the RVCP Alice in Wonderland During 1966, the Royal Victoria Military Hospital was the location used for Jonathan Miller's - Alice in Wonderland. This BBC footage is the only remaining film of the entire building and ‘It was a vista which was about to vanish’, as it was demolished in the same year. The military hospitals quarter-mile corridors and grounds melded into the trippy, 1960s gothic version of Lewis Carroll’s weird Victorian fantasy.http://www.alice-in-wonderland.fsnet.co.uk/film_tv_miller_01.htm DVD from BFI – BFIVD519-VFC41733. Coin Hoard A hoard of third-century coins were found here in 1867 during excavations at Netley Hospital. The find is now in the Hartley Museum. Adjacent to the RVCP Netley Woods (St. Mary’s Road & Gashouse Lane). Small areas of woodland which once formed part of the entrance to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, but well worth visiting. The Royal Victoria Country Park is now only accessible from Hound Road (north entrance) and Victoria Road (shore road) entrances. Sophie's Pond, Victoria Road. Near the entrance to The Royal Victoria Country Park. A delightful and popular nature reserve, which is home to a charming duck pond. Netley Pond is indeed a good place for people to get close to nature and also hopefully inspire many young people to develop a life long interest un the natural world.Species that can be observed throughout the year: Canada Geese, Muscovy duck, Moorhens, Coots, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Nar Headed Goose, Grey Lag, Barnacle Geese, Cormorant, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, Herring Gulls, Prochard and more. This freshwater pond is fed from water draining through Spear Pond Gully from the original reservoir built at Hound Grove, Butlocks Heath. Originally dug to ensure a continual supply of water to the new Royal Victoria Military Hospital. Circa:1870. This is now known as the reservoir at Butlocks Heath, which is privately owned by Castle Angling Club. The Hard, Victoria Road opposite the duck pond. This area is particularly popular with visitors and has been improved with work to the parking area, viewing platform, steps and now includes street furniture.  Attractions within Netley Abbey, nr Southampton Netley Abbey Founded by King Henry III in, A.D. 1239, and the style of the building is quite in accordance with that of this period. Henry placed on the foundation a few Cistercian monks, brought from the Abbey of Beaulieu, in the New Forest. Little was known of Netley for the first three hundred years. The Abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536. In 1537 Netley was granted by the King to Sir William Paulet. The Abbey then passed to Edward Seymour, Earl of Hartford. Queen Elizabeth visited Seymour at the Abbey in August 1560. At the end of the 17th century it passed through the ownership of; the Earl of Huntingdon, Sir Bartlett Lucy and then to a Mr Taylor. A local builder of Southampton, he was killed by a falling stone at the Abbey. In September 1844 it was recorded that the Abbey had become a complete ruin. English Heritage Today Netley Abbey is managed by English Heritage. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.17839 ‘Netley Abbey is the most complete surviving Cistercian monastery in southern England. The ruins reflect over 800 years of change, during which the abbey was transformed from a monastic house to a mansion house, and later to a romantic ruin.’ The Abbey Today Netley Abbey is presently managed by English Heritage. Artists such as Turner and Constable and writers including Jane Austen have all been inspired by Netley Abbey. It is still a popular tourist attraction and regularly provides the backdrop to Shakespeare’s plays; and wedding photography. Each year on St. George's Day, the Abbey hosts a parade and service within the grounds, for local guides and scouts. There is also a Mass celebrated annually in honour of the Feast of the Assumption of Our lady. Netley Castle About two hundred feet distant from the west end of the church, and nearer the water, is a small building called ‘Netley Castle’ or fort which was erected by King Henry VIII. Recorded September 1844.‘The castle, situated on Southampton Water, was built in around 1542 as part of Henry VIII's chain of coastal fortifications which are known as Device Forts or Henrician Castles. Whilst estimates of the Fort’s exact construction date vary, it was functioning by at least 25 March 1545, when the records for payments to the garrison began. It was one of the twelve forts built under the direction of Sir William Paulet for the defence of Southampton and Portsmouth. The castle was manned until 1647. Its military importance declined and it was eventually sold in 1881.’ Attractions within Netley Abbey, nr Southampton Westwood Woodland Park To the west of Hound at the boarder with Southampton, there is the ancient woodland known as Westwood. This woodland has streamside walks, rolling grassland slopes and extensive views. There are two way marked trails for walkers and one cycle route. A number of benches provide excellent vantage points and a small picnic site is located at the base of the Mound. From here you may see some unusual animals high up in the trees. The site is ideal for quiet recreational activities such as walking, cycling, bird watching, painting, kite flying, picnicking horse riding etc. This expanse of woodland follows the Southampton Water and boarders onto the ruins of Netley Abbey. The site includes historic water conduits which were once used by the monks of Netley as fishponds.http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/westwood-woodland-park.htm Horse Riding, Netley Abbey Sited within the area of Westwood is the LillyWhites Riding Centre and Livery Yard. It is set in 8.5 acres of Grazing land with modern Equine accomodation blocks. Victoria who runs the Riding Centre is an Intermediate Instructor and current show jumper, her expertise with teaching both Novice and Advanced Riders is invaluable to the School. We are a fun and friendly bunch here at LillyWhites and you are guaranteed a warm reception, pop down and say Hello.... Lilly Whites Riding Centre, Grange Road, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 5FF.
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Netley Abbey 
