Riverside Park
🏟 Playground & park · Bitterne Park / Swaythling, Southampton
Riverside Park
A 32-hectare riverside park on the Itchen with several playgrounds, a skate park and a summer miniature railway.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open at all times. · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Woodmill Lane / Manor Farm Road, Southampton, SO18 2JJ
Plus Code: 9C2WWJMF+PW
About Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a 32-hectare green space stretching along the River Itchen between Bitterne Park and Swaythling, managed by Southampton City Council and awarded a Green Flag in 2022. The land was once an unofficial rubbish tip holding around 130,000 tonnes of debris, including Second World War rubble, before the council reclaimed it with thousands of lorry-loads of topsoil to create the open parkland seen today. For families there are multiple play areas, with playgrounds at Woodmill Lane and Cobden Meadows offering swings, slides and climbing frames, along with a rain shelter and seating nearby. The park is well used for sport, with six football pitches, two cricket pitches, a tennis court and a skate park. A long-running miniature railway, operating since 1962 and run by the Southampton and District Society of Model Engineers, carries passengers on Sunday afternoons during the summer months. There are also areas managed for wildlife along the river. The Woodmill Activity Centre at the northern end offers water sports such as kayaking and canoeing. Car parking is available on site and entry to the park and its playgrounds is free.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Multiple play areas (at Woodmill Lane and Cobden Meadows)
- Six football pitches
- Two cricket pitches
- Tennis court
- Skate park
- Miniature railway (summer Sunday afternoons)
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: On-site car parking.
- Café / refreshments
🧒 Ages & play
- Swings
- Slides
- Climbing frames
📍 Nearby places to play
- Daisy Dip Park · approx 0.7 miles · Bassett
- Freemantle Common · approx 1.6 miles · Bitterne
- Southampton Common · approx 1.7 miles · The Avenue / Highfield
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Riverside Park free?
Yes. Entry to Riverside Park and its play areas is free. Some activities such as the miniature railway rides and the Woodmill Activity Centre sessions are charged separately.
What's in the playground?
The park has several play areas, with playgrounds at Woodmill Lane and Cobden Meadows featuring swings, slides and climbing frames, plus a rain shelter and seating nearby.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
There is a cafe in the park. The council's facilities listing does not confirm public toilets, so please check locally before visiting.
Where is Riverside Park?
Riverside Park runs along the River Itchen off Woodmill Lane and Manor Farm Road, Southampton, postcode SO18 2JJ, between Bitterne Park and Swaythling.
Is there parking?
Yes. There is car parking on site, with access from Woodmill Lane and Manor Farm Road.