Updated Fancy a visit to Bitterne Park - or thinking about moving to the area? Perhaps you already live here and are interested to find out more. We hope this work in progress offers a few pointers!

    

Geography

Riverside Park on the bank of the Itchen

Bitterne Park is a suburb and electoral ward of the City of Southampton in England. The Bitterne Park ward covers a surprisingly large area: its boundary extends from Bitterne Manor to Mansbridge along the eastern bank of the River Itchen; along the A27 via Haskins in the north; and returns through Townhill Park, bordering with various other wards along the way, including West End North and South, Harefield, and finally Peartree ward in the south. St Denys, which this website also covers, is in fact part of Portswood ward. There are about 6,300 dwellings, and a population of around 13,300 in the Bitterne Park ward.

View a map of Southampton Council Ward Boundaries | Click for more demographic information about Bitterne Park ward

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History
Historians will tell you that Bitterne Park was originally part of the parkland of Bitterne Manor. Jim Brown, in his ‘Illustrated History of Southampton's Suburbs’, explains how the rural character of the area changed beyond recognition when the National Liberal Land Company purchased over 317 acres of this land in 1882 for the Bitterne Park Estate, leaving some five acres for a cricket and lawn tennis ground, with the remainder scheduled for extensive development. For more on the history of the area, including stories of fights with sticks on Cobden Bridge and of times before Riverside Park, check our archive of articles and audio clips.

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Village feel
Bitterne Park has been described by one bitternepark.info reader as “a special place - one of the last real villages in Southampton”. Many will tell you that they came to Bitterne Park for the friendly ‘village feel’, its period properties, its close proximity to schools, the river, Riverside Park, and of course the local shops at the Triangle — regarded by some close to it as the ‘village hub’.

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Transport and parking
And yet it is only a short journey into either central Southampton, or, in the other direction, to Eastleigh. From Southampton Central or Parkway rail stations it can take just a few minutes to Winchester, and just over an hour into London Waterloo. The M27’s junction 5 is (sometimes) only a five-minute drive away, offering easy access to Bournemouth, Poole and the south west, to Portsmouth and West Sussex, and the M3 to London.
 

First's 7 route in town runs
every 7 minutes Mon-Sat daytimes

From Bitterne Park it is, in theory, also a short hop into town by train, from either Bitterne or St Denys stations, which are both around a ten-minute walk from the Triangle — although sadly connections with intercity routes rarely seem joined up. A cycle and pedestrian route links Horse Shoe Bridge in St Denys with Northam - get to it by crossing over Cobden Bridge from the Bitterne Park side, and turning left along Priory Road. At the Junction pub turn left and the start is your left just before the Bridge crosses the railway. The longer-term aim is to eventually (and somehow) extend the route to meet up with Riverside Park

Or to get to the top end of town mainly using roads, continue over Horse Shoe Bridge, and left again past the new bus depot on Empress Road. Turn right at Kingsbury Road, and turn right off Bevois Valley up Rockstone Lane next to the Bevois Castle pub, to arrive on the Avenue just across from London Road. From here on a bike you are just a few minutes from the city centre. For more information about cycling in the City, see the Southampton Cycling Campaign website.

On foot, Portswood is a 15-20 minute walk away — unfortunately mainly along the noisy St Denys Road - with Highfield and parts of the University of Southampton a few minutes further. Bitterne Park, though, isn't a major favourite for students.  And the city centre is a fair old hike from the area - so you may prefer alternative means of transport.

By bus, First's 7 route (previously the 3) offers a very frequent link (every 7 mins Mon-Sat daytimes) from Townhill Park and the Triangle into town via Portswood and Bevois Valley, while Bluestar's 16 service offers a similar service, but via Lodge Road and the Avenue (every 20 mins Mon-Sat daytimes); see a route comparison here. The U9 Service offers an infrequent service between Townhill Park and the Triangle to Portswood, Taunton's College and the General Hospital.

Of course living in Bitterne Park you also have all the advantages, and disadvantages, of having an expanding airport right on your doorstep; seek, and you’ll find many articles about that on this site.

If you’re visiting be warned that on-street parking is very limited at the Triangle; a 60-minute restriction applies — and is often enforced. Far better to train, bus, cycle, walk - or perhaps even boat! There is limited street parking on nearby residential roads; alternatively head along Manor Farm Road and use the free car park by Riverside Park (sharp turn by the Social Club): from here, it’s a brief, and lovely walk back to the Triangle along the river.

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The Triangle

Bitterne Park Triangle

The Triangle is often seen as the ‘hub’ of Bitterne Park. It has much to offer locals and visitors alike. For the former, a fair amount of day to day needs is available on your doorstep, without another tedious trip to the supermarket; far better, many feel, to buy from — and support — small and friendly shops on your doorstep, and to help preserve that village feel that may have attracted you to the area in the first place. And for visitors, the Triangle, and Riverside Park, are pleasant destinations for whiling away some weekend time with some mooching.

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Shopping
As well as boasting a bakery, butcher, greengrocer, and Co-operative store, you can browse the bric-a-brac in Barnardo’s, use the new DIY store or even buy a Persian rug at the Triangle. Sadly the art scene in Bitterne Park is somewhat depleted since the closure of Spice Art Studios in the lovely old pharmacy shop - now run by Vineyard Church as offices and community space (hear an audio feature from this link). And the former picture framing shop near the clock tower (and way back it is thought to have been a butcher's) is now vacant after a period as a florist. Antiques are thin on the ground too, since the closure of various outlets over the last few years.

But you will find various options for preening, with barbers, hairdressers, tanning facilities, aqua massage, nail bars  and even 'fish pedicure' facilities on hand, for just when you need them.

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Food and drink

Il Picchio

For sustenance try some of Sandro’s Italian treats in his tiny café and deli Il Picchio. You can enjoy anything from a cappuccino to a full lunch. Alternatively try newcomber Royal Café next door, eat in the Riverside Diner, or follow a much-loved local tradition and enjoy freshly-fried fish and chips from the wrapper beside the river; but whose are best: Charlie's or Andy's? Sandwiches are also available from the bakers or from Food to Suit.

Food to Suit

Later in the day you can eat in at H Palace Chinese Restaurant in the old bank building (ask if you can still book 'private and secure' karaoke facilities in what was possibly the bank’s strong room!), or for Indian food to eat in or collect, try the Bitterne Balti (busy at the weekends), or, for takeaway only, try the Bengal Paradise. There are various other takeaways at the Triangle including Chinese and pizza — in fact many feel there are too many and priority should be given to other businesses (whether there is demand from 'other businesses' is perhaps debatable).  There is also a plethora of other takeaways further afield, which will happily deliver hot food to your door in the evenings — and menus through your letterbox on an almost hourly basis!

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Boom or bust?
It’s not all a bed of roses at the Triangle: businesses come and go, and ‘to let’ signs are all too familiar. The names the buildings are known by say it all: there is an 'Old Chemist' and an 'Old Post Office', but you won't find Triangle outlets where you can pick up a prescription or get a parcel weighed.

Health centre: a steep climb

There was particular concern in July 2007 when veg and wholefood store Fruitopia closed. Its replacemend ceased trading in 2008, and now Manor Farm is trading from the same premises - so if you need an aubergine in hurry, you may still be okay. Traders also face stiff competition from 'newcomer' Tesco Express, on Cobden Avenue (many locals still resent its appearance and won't shop there), and, just up the road in Portswood, a new Sainsbury’s store opened in spring 2012 on the site of the old bus depot (which has now moved to Empress Road).

Triangle estate agents' offices are also on the way out, blaming the lack of Triangle footfall and the shift towards online searching – although you'll still be spoilt for choice if you head up the hill to Bitterne or into town on London Road. Read our feature on Bitterne Park property from this link.

Old post office

Some say the closure of the bank in the 90s (in what is now H Palace), and the closure of Triangle post office 2005 made a significant impact on passing trade (if you need a post office now the nearest are at Witts Hill, Midanbury or in Portswood). The chemist closed in 2007, again reducing Triangle footfall, and moved up to Thorold Road in the new health centre (a steep climb too far for many). And it’s been suggested that, if the Triangle ‘fails’, and can no longer boast at least the basics - a local butcher, bakery and greengrocer - every property in Bitterne Park will drop in value by at least £10,000. Whether or not that's true, despite rumblings, a significant imaginative campaign to encourage ‘local Triangle shopping’ has yet to emerge.

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Witts Hill shops

Witts Hill
As well as the post office, there are various other shops at Witts Hill, Midanbury, including a couple of small supermarkets, a baker, takeaways and a Boots chemist, in a small parade next to what was the Castle pub. The pub closed in 2012, and re-opened as a Tesco Express in May 2013 – a move opposed by many local traders, residents and the MP. You can find several articles about Tesco Express, including audio interviews, by following this link.

The summit of the hill offers a fine view towards the airport runway, and if you do your time on the council waiting list, you could one day even be rewarded with your very own key to the Witts Hill allotments (other allotments are available - close to our area over Bitterne Road West you could also look at Athleston Road allotments, which offer stunning views across the river).

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Bitterne Road West
Other retail outlets are dotted around the crossroads at the bottom of Bullar Road as it intersects with the busy Bitterne Road West. It's as hard as it is unpleasant to negotiate on foot - or by using any other transport! It marks a boundary between Bitterne Park and Bitterne wards. Some businesses are positioned in the middle of what is affectionately known as the “Bullar Road gyratory”.

Around this area you'll find a carpet shop, gym, hairdresser, barbers, garage, takeaways, a newsagent and others. There's also a recycling point on the approach to Bitterne railway station - and here too you'll find The Station Hotel pub.

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Schools
Bitterne Park is mainly served by Bitterne Park Infant School (Good: Ofsted January 2012), Bitterne Park Junior School (Good - up from Satisfactory - Ofsted September 2012) — both on Manor Farm Road (there is currently a plan to merge these into an all-through primary), and Bitterne Park Secondary School on Copeswood Road, "specialist performing arts and applied learning school" (Outstanding: Ofsted 2009), which now also includes a newly-constructed sixth form centre with, among other things, excellent theatre facilities. St Denys Primary School is a stone's throw away over Cobden Bridge. Further afield are Highfield C of E  and Portswood Primary Schools. See our listings of schools - the links lead to schools' websites and to their Ofsted reports.

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Politics

Civic Centre

Bitterne Park ward has in recent years voted Conservative in local elections — we have three Tory councillors; Southampton City Council, which is a unitary authority, is since 2012 Labour controlled again. Bitterne Park ward onservative councillors hold regular surgeries at the local library. Bitterne Park is in the Southampton Itchen parliamentary constituency, and John Denham is our (Labour) MP, who scraped home with the smallest of majorities in the 2010 election, and who has said he'll stand down at the next election. Prior to the fall of the Labour Government, he was Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Contact details are in this section.

Over the Itchen, Porstwood Ward, which includes St Denys, is currently represented by one Liberal Democrat councillor and two Tories. It falls under the Southampton Test constituency. Alan Whitehead is the Labour MP.

Bitterne Park Residents' Association operates in Bitterne Park; according to e.VOLve - a database of voluntary and community organisations serving Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - BPRA aims: "To sustain/improve the environmental quality of Bitterne Park and to encourage a cohesive and supportive community." e.VOlve also says BPRA "holds 1-2 public meetings a year": if you find out when they are, do let us know! 

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Community

Cobett Road Library

There are the groups and activities that meet in more formal settings, such as at the excellent Cobbett Road Library (sadly only open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings), which offers an oasis of calm for individuals and groups, in lovely art deco surroundings right on the Bullar Road gyratory system, or at the nearest community centres in Bitterne Manor, St Denys and Meggeson Avenue (the Bitterne Park suburb itself is sadly devoid of its own community centre).

The Junction in St Denys

And like anywhere else, there are many networks and communities based around Bitterne Park: whether it's informal groups of parents who originally met at the school gates or at a children's activity, communities of dog walkers, park users, football players, church-goers, skateboarders, duck feeders, or regulars at one of the few pubs in Bitterne Park, and several others on the other side of the river (perhaps we'll save a more in-depth look for a later update!), there's plenty for many in Bitterne Park.

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Feel there's essential information missing — or would you like to add a section? Then contact us. 









The Triangle’s most famous landmark is the clock tower, which was moved to its current spot from New Road in 1934, and which apparently leans towards Cobden Bridge by several inches.

Or is it by more than that?

©  Bitterne Park's local website - bitternepark.info

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Comments (9)

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Bitterne Park Area- Feature
written by Ann MacGillivray, January 17, 2010

Well done!
I really like what you have done with this article.

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BP great
written by Rose Nicole, January 17, 2010

Yes, it's great. Shows why we all like it here.

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Votes: +18

art scene
written by lbluemel, March 13, 2010

I agree that it's a pity about Spice Art and, before that, Public Hangings, which I, for one, was very sorry to see close. However, I maintain one room in my house as a mini art gallery and everyone is welcome to come and see the art works, including paintings by myself of local buildings and street scenes and sculptures by local artist Ann MacGillivray. There are also cards for sale at a very reasonable price. Visitors are welcome at any time, but ring first (023 8033 2926) if you want to be sure of finding me at home.

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bitterne park community
written by Abduldabadoo, June 26, 2010

This is a great article however it fails to highlight the importance of the islamic asian and somalli community groups, hopefully with goverment and lottery funding we can set up the al hazzarld islamic refuge community centre, and sharia law drop in clinic. For the displaced afgan and iraqi peoples coming to southampton for the first time.

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its not a village
written by qwerty, September 19, 2011

ive grown up in bitterne park and there is no way that bitterne park is a village, have you seen a village. the people who call this place a village are derranged snobs living in the past.

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totally agree!
written by koolduke, November 20, 2011

Ann Mac'told me about this comment the other day and I'm afraid I didn't take in what she was saying!! Now I have read it I totally agree with you qwerty! I grew up in Harcourt Road and I would never call Bitterne Park a village. For a start there is a busy road running straight through the middle and it has been busy for over 50 years and my mum got knocked over on the then zebra crossing when returning from walking the dogs and I was with her as a small child! I now live in Netley Abbey in Eastleigh Borough which I would class as a large village and we have a parish council! Anyway I adored your comment about derranged snobs in fact the only reason I registered was so I could comment on your comment!! sorry about the exclaimation marks!!!! My real name is Patricia Gibson nee Shutler. Can someone tell me the boundaries of Bitterne Park village?

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Bitterne Park Community
written by koolduke, November 20, 2011

I am sorry but this has got to be a joke. Yabadabadoo? --- Abduldabadoo? I apologise if this your real name.

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...
written by Odessa, March 29, 2012

A village within a village maybe?

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better bruschetta
written by Rose Nicole, June 11, 2012

On Sunday I was in Oxford, and popped into a cafe to have a drink and some bruschetta - a favourite of mine. But, despite the promise of something tasty to eat in a thriving and cosmopolitan City, I was very disappointed; a very small portion, no oil, no flavour. Thank goodness we have Il Picchio in the Triangle where the food is always excellent. Well done Sandro, and thank you.

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