Hiltingbury Lakes

Hiltingbury Lakes is located at Chandlers Ford in Hampshire and has about seventeen acres of water, woodland and wildlife. This community open space is right in the heart of the town and a place where you can enjoy walking, fishing or just watching the wildlife.

The woodlands are mainly pine and were a common site in the landscape of this area in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. There are also oaks and hazel trees in the woodlands and it is home to many of Britain's common species of bird and small mammals, including squirrels and Green Woodpeckers.

The Lake about two acres in size, provides lots of available space for fishing. Mallards and Moorhen nest on the protected parts of the bank and on the island. There are also Grey Wagtails nearby. Fishing is by annual permit only from the Countryside Service of Eastleigh Borough Council who manage Hiltingbury Lakes.

The water gardens have been restored by the local council in partnership with Hampshire County Council and now four of the original six pools which formed the Edwardian water garden are back in fine form. Two of the upper pools now provide valuable wetland habitat for wildlife and have native plants. The lower two pools are in keeping with their original ornamental designs.

Hiltingbury Lakes may be one of the ancient fishponds described in the Domesday Book.