Miller’s Pond Nature Reserve & Sholing Valleys Study Centre

Spanning around 20 acres, Miller’s Pond is Southampton’s largest and most diverse Local Nature Reserve. Since 1988, Sholing Valleys Study Centre has been working as a registered charity to preserve Miller’s Pond its surrounding areas, whilst educating the public about this unique environment and the wildlife found here.

 

We offer:

 

• Conservation Days

• Educational ‘Naturewatch’ sessions for children

• Guided nature walks

• Talks and lectures

• Open Days

• Family Fun Day events

 

Local groups including a Forest School, Scouts and Guides, and the local Police also make use of our facilities. If you would like to find out more about using the space for your own group, please contact us at: sholingvalleys1@btinternet.com

 

Promoting Wellbeing

Engagement with nature and green spaces is proven to boost wellbeing, improve mental health, and reduce stress. With a Local Nature Reserve right on your doorstep, you can benefit from all we have to offer.

 

Our Conservation Days are a great way to get outside and reconnect with the world around you, as well as your local community. Activities cater for volunteers of all mobility and fitness levels, from light duties (including litter picking and making refreshments), to more cardio-vascular workouts (in the form of tree removal and log clearance).

 

Conservation Days also help us to collect plant and wildlife data for use in national surveys, meaning we can help paint a better picture for national wildlife conservation initiatives.

Events

Monthly Conservation Days

Mother Nature constantly needs a helping hand – why not come down and get your hands dirty while helping to protect our nation’s beautiful wildlife?

 

Bat Walk and Talk

Special hosted walks that take you on a guided tour of the area as you go bat spotting! Free of charge and followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows to warm up cold hands. Follow us on social media for up to date announcements and scheduled events.

 

Naturewatch Club

Our club for children aged 7-12 takes place on the last Sunday of the month (with the exception of August and December). It runs from 10.30am-12.30pm and membership for the whole year costs just £5. Better still, the first session is free so there’s nothing to lose in coming along.

 

Naturewatch sessions encourage children’s passion for nature through fun educational activities while helping to raise awareness about the natural world. Activities include:

 

• Nature walks

• Plant, animal and fungi identification

• Pond dipping

• Seasonal arts and craft sessions

 

To book a place, please phone 023 80432395 (answerphone)

or email naturewatch@btinternet.com

 

The Reserve

Miller’s Pond Nature Reserve consists of several different habitats, home to many species.

 

Habitats include:

• Acid grassland/ Wildflower meadow

• Pond

• Ancient oak woodland

 

Species include:

• English Oak Tree

• Speckled Wood Butterfly

• Kestrel

• Roe Deer

• Tree Bumble Bee

 

Look out for our species board on site to find out more about them!

 

History

Several historical finds have been made on site, including:

• Stone-age and Bronze-age tools (including axes and arrowheads)

• Roman coins depicting the reign of five different emperors

 

The area has a rich and varied history, spanning from the Stone Age, through World War II and up to the present day. Look out for our history board on site to find out more.

 

Visit Us

The Sholing Valleys Study Centre is easy to find, just off Portsmouth Rd, to the east of Itchen Bridge. Sholing Railway Station, on the coastal line, is only half a mile away and the Centre features on several local bus routes (do we know what the route numbers are?)

 

Sholing Valleys Study Centre

Station Road

Sholing

Southampton

SO19 8FP

 

The centre is not open 24/7, so please contact us through the details below if not manned:

 

Call: 023 8043 2395 (answerphone)

 

email: sholingvalleys1@btinternet.com

 

Twitter: @sholingvalleysSC

 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/sholingvalleysSC/

 

Membership

Membership for the whole year is affordable and means you can take advantage of lots of activities.

Families* £10

Adult £8

Junior (under-18s) £5

Retired/Unwaged £5

 

*Family membership is for two adults and children under 18. – does this mean 2 children under 18, or any amount of children under 18?

 

 

Volunteer With Us

Volunteers are our lifeblood. They contribute towards our community, raise vital funds to keep the place going, and help run our events. Without them, we simply would not be able to look after the Nature Reserve properly.

 

Anyone can volunteer, regardless of skill, experience, or available free time. Even a small amount of your time can make a huge difference to the local wildlife and to preserving the area’s heritage for years to come.

 

If you are interested in helping, please call us on 023 8043 2395 or send us an email at sholingvalleys1@btinternet.com.

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