Green Spaces a Stone's Throw from the Ferry

If you’re passing through Southampton on foot, you’ll find several immaculately maintained city centre parks. East Park with its impressive Peace Fountain, rose gardens and winding wisteria path is particularly glorious to walk through on a warm day, and home to the Titanic Engineer’s Memorial, unveiled in 1914 in tribute to the crew lost in the 1912 disaster. 

Meanwhile, just across the road in Watts Park you’ll find Southampton’s WWI cenotaph, as well as a monument for former resident and famed minister Isaac Watts. Taking a leisurely stroll through Watts Park will soon lead you to Southampton Art Gallery, the SeaCity Museum, and the distinctive Southampton Guildhall, with Southampton Central Station sitting beyond.

Down the hill towards the waterfront, you’ll find Town Quay Park, which in the summer buzzes with vibrant lavender and happy bumblebees. Set amongst the old town walls, it doubles up as a popular spot for wedding photographs, and great vantage point for ships sailing by in the background. You'll also find historic pubs nearby in The Dancing Man and Platform Tavern. 

Leading down further towards the shore, Mayflower Park is directly adjacent to our Southampton ferry terminal, and can be accessed to the right hand side of the Royal Pier Gatehouse (now Kuti’s Brasserie). With an abundance of open grassy areas, a children’s play area and resident ice cream van, the park meets the water's edge and makes for a relaxing spot to wait for your ferry, without straying too far from the car. 

Across the Solent, East Cowes boasts some beautiful green parks to relax, run around, or exercise your pooch. Jubilee Recreation Ground sits just 3 minutes away from the ferry on York Avenue (the main route appraoching our vehicle ferry terminal), and features a huge expanse of grass, a playground and a fruit orchard planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, which marked the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. 

Another gorgeous grassy area is East Cowes Esplanade, in between where the woods meet the sea. With a playground, kid’s paddling pool, and shingle shore for dipping your toes, it’s a great family friendly spot to kill some time or cool off, before heading to the ferry terminal just a few minutes’ walk or drive away. You’ll also find Shoreside Café on the esplanade, serving up refreshments, light bites and sweet frozen treats. 

Any visitor to Cowes can vouch for the town’s beauty, and away from the bustling high street, you’ll find some idyllic green spaces perfect for kicking back with a coffee before the Red Jet comes in. 

By following Cowes Parade as it bears to the left, you’ll soon pass the Royal Yacht Squadron and find yourself at Cowes Green, a large grassy area with plenty of benches to sit and panoramic views across the Solent. Offering front row seats for watching the many yachts and ships navigating the Solent, Cowes Green sits right behind Cowes Beach - the closest you’ll get to the sea without getting wet! You’ll find the Cabin on the Green at the end of the walkway, serving up coffees on a cool day and ice cream when it’s warm. 

If you’ve got a bit of time to kill before you need to head back, why not take a stroll round Northwood Park, with entrances from Park Road (up the hill from M&S) and Castle Hill, (up the hill from Cowes Parade). Steeped in history the elegant Grade II* listed house and grounds are cared for by local volunteers, offering sprawling lawns dotted with ancient trees and lovingly tended flower beds befitting of an English country garden. Northwood Park offers wide open space in abundance, has a children’s play area and even free tennis courts. This much-loved community space provides a leafy haven for dogs and owners alike, a calm and relaxing place to take in the sea air, admire the historic setting and while away the time before your return to the city.