Glade
← Back🌱 Urban park

Ballard Water Meadow

📷 David Tonge · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

50.76005, -1.66004

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦54+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Dartford Warbler and Swift
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 468m away

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Free

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Dartford Warbler, Swift, Raven +51 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Dartford Warbler, Swift, Raven +51 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Speckled Wood, Stag Beetle, Large White +35 more · last seen 2025; Semi-improved grassland — butterflies and wildflowers

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Family friendly

Urban park — family destination

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Christchurch Bay WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

23 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Route 2 South Mundham to ChristchurchCycling route
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
New Forest Cycle RoutesCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
C14Cycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route132 m
Named routeRef 2Length 132 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface bareearth
Main RouteCycling route1 km
Named routeRef 2Length 1 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
Main RouteCycling route329 m
Named routeRef 2Length 329 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Lymington Station Off Road Cycle TrailMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths
Walkford Lanebyway open to all traffic · 1 km
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 1 kmPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Ballard Lake

📷 David Tonge · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ballard Lake

1 / 22

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱New Milton Recreation GroundUrban park800 m→🌱Ashley Recreation GroundUrban park1.6 km→🌱Barton CommonUrban park2.6 km→🌱Highcliffe Recreation GroundUrban park3.8 km→🌱Nea Meadows Local Nature ReserveUrban park4.3 km→🌱Rothesay ParkUrban park4.7 km→