Royal Victoria Country Park

About

Rich in history, with a small beach, ancient woodland and miles of open fields, Royal Victoria Country Park is a hidden gem on the South Coast.  The grounds are open every day and offer facilities for visitors of all ages and abilities.  It is free to enter but car parking charges apply. For more information, please see Royal Victoria Country Park's website.

Shop and Information Centre
Located next to the Cedar Rooms, the Park’s shop offers a selection of gifts and games for people and dogs alike. It is also home to our information centre where you can find out more about what’s on offer and purchase tickets for events and other activities. There’s also a self-serve dog wash close by.

Food and Drink
The Cedar Room’s pizza oven and café offer a range of delicious pizzas, snacks, cakes and ice cream as well as hot and cold drinks. Outside, on the patio, dogs are welcome with their owners under our sheltered picnic tables.  A separate kiosk, in the Chapel, and a mobile ice cream van provide extra treats, snacks and drinks around the park.

We also have BBQs (with space for between 20 and 100 people) which are available for hire throughout the summer.  

The Chapel
What is now an idyllic country park was once the scene of a bustling military hospital. As the British Army’s first purpose-built hospital, Royal Victoria was a unique and ambitious project that changed the face of the medical world. The Chapel, all that remains of the hospital,  houses a permanent historical exhibition.  Visitors can also take tours of its tower, which offers splendid views for miles around. The Chapel can also be hired for special occasions, such as weddings, events and conferences. Further into the park is a cemetery with hundreds of commonwealth war graves, mostly from the First World War.

Play Area 
The play areas, near the café, cater for all ages – from toddlers up.  They also include a selection of fully accessible equipment. 

Miniature Railway
The Royal Victoria Railway operates miniature trains along a 1-mile scenic route.  For more information, please visit Royal Victoria Railway.

Events
The park offers a year-round calendar of events, which includes festivals, fun days, music, theatre and children’s entertainment.