Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre

Hawthorns Centre
Southampton Common
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 7NN
England

Website

www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/parks/the-hawthorns.asp

E-mail

hawthorns.wildlife.centre@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01703 671921

Fax

01703 676859

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
baby changing facilities icon Shop icon Hearing disability facilities icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

Situated on the south east corner of Southampton's premiere open space, Southampton Common, the Centre is built on land that had previously been a zoo, a tree nursery and The Hawthorns Cottage!

With the assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund the main display area has been completely refurbished. You can follow the history of the Common along the timeline and a photo montage shows the history of the Hawthorns site.

The interactive display has features such as 'Whose Baby' that shows what some of those strange looking things you find in the garden turn into, 'Friend or Foe' - do rats deserve such a bad press?, and the ever popular mice, newts and fish have fantastic new homes. A large illuminated map shows the location of the different habitats on the Common and how these habitats can be accessed through a touch screen display.

Before you enter the grounds you can see three possible alternatives for the future of Southampton Common and there are some questions to think about for 'The Common Good'.

Outside the grounds are planted and managed as different wildlife habitats. On a quiet stroll around the grounds, you can see many butterflies and other insects as well as birds and that rustling in the undergrowth maybe a shrew or woodmouse. The wide variety of plants all provide either food or shelter for wildlife and so it is important to keep to the tarmac paths so as not to crush the plants and mini beast that live by the path edges.

One of the most picturesque features in the grounds is the wood terrace that borders the dragonfly pond and where you can see carp and rudd among the water lilies, or watch the dragonflies and damselflies darting about or skimming the water. If you are lucky you may spot a kingfisher that on occasion visit the site. There are chairs and tables on the terrace where you are welcome to picnic or just sit and spend some time watching the clouds roll by!

Venue Type:

Environmental or ecological centre

 Opening hours

Mon-Fri 1000-1700
Sat-Sun 1200-1600
Closed Bank holidays

 General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • General audio-guide available
  • Pre-booking service for groups
  • Shop
 Children and families
  • Activities for pre-school children
  • Events and resources for children and families
  • Baby changing facilities
 Disability access
  • Audio guides specifically for blind and partially sighted people
  • Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
  • Induction loops in exhibition spaces
  • Large print information and/or interpretation
  • Touch exhibits
  • Toilets for disabled
  • Wheelchair access to all public areas
  • Wheelchairs available for loan
 Schools services and facilities
  • Direct teaching services for schools
  • Member of staff available with responsibility for education
  • Primary school education service available
  • Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
 Research and adult learning
  • Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
 Commercial and hire services
  • Meeting room available

Hawthorns Centre
Southampton Common
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 7NN
England

Website

www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/parks/the-hawthorns.asp

E-mail

hawthorns.wildlife.centre@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01703 671921

Fax

01703 676859

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Collection details

Archives, Natural Sciences

Collections services

  • General guide to collections available
  • Object identification and/or written enquiry service

Hawthorns Centre
Southampton Common
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 7NN
England

Website

www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/parks/the-hawthorns.asp

E-mail

hawthorns.wildlife.centre@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone

01703 671921

Fax

01703 676859

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
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