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Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre
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Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre

See all things to do
See all things to do
Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre
4
20 reviews
#59 of 100 things to do in Southampton
Visitor Centers
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11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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About
Learn about the wildlife and ecology of Southampton's open spaces at this popular outdoor nature park.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
20 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Chris S
Southampton, UK3 contributions
Peace and quiet.
Oct 2013 • Family
I'm mainly writing this review in response to the previous (and so far only) post, which is rather unfair and inaccurate. Hawthorn's can hardly be described as a "bad waste of money" since it's free. The wildlife may be "poor", but hey, this is England. Don't expect tigers. The cafe is pleasant and reasonably priced, and there is a charming little wooded walk which cleverly encapsulates the many ecologies found locally (heath, marsh, forest, etc).
Overall, a nice addition to Southampton common, and very near by are the lakes, woods, and a decent pub for any who find all this nature stuff "boring".
Written December 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SarahAd
Aldershot, UK246 contributions
Excellent service!
Jun 2015 • Family
Unfortunately the cafe doesn't take cards (which I understand as still many small businesses dont) but luckily we had some cash to buy hot drinks and teacakes. The staff were wonderful. Cleared our table quickly and brought drinks promptly. Really friendly and made a fuss of our children. Such a lovely waiter. Clean place, has a lovely little information centre as well.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim121home
Southampton, UK2,092 contributions
Pleasant cafe
Oct 2018 • Family
Located inside The Common, the centre houses a pleasant cafe which has indoor seating and a nice outdoor terrace area, overlooking a marshy area of the wildlife centre, so plenty of birdsong to lift your mood.

Cafe is ok but could be so much better if the produce quality improved. I don’t understand the use of budget, near tasteless items like sausage to keep prices down. Most of us are prepared to pay a little more for better quality.
Written October 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carol T
1 contribution
Awful
Oct 2014 • Family
Stopped here with my family. Coffee was just about okay but food terrible. Ordered spaghetti bolognese which had virtually no meat in sauce. Garlic bread rock hard and Spaghetti cooked to mush. Chips also ordered tasted worse than oven chips. Wanted to give them a chance and asked for some actual bolognese and was told the meat was cooked in the sauce. I replied that bolognese should actually have some meat. But no. That was it, no staff cared. My toddler (who is used to mush) ate some but I couldn't stomach it. First though I picked out all the mince on my plate which took up about 1cm square in the corner. Took it back at the end to make my point, again staff couldn't care less. No apology, no interest, nothing. On walk back saw all three staff having a fag outside without a care in the world. Over priced, terrible quality food and worst service in a while. Such a shame.
Written October 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarah M
Southampton, UK301 contributions
Visited after parkrun
Have visited here a few times with both my son and partner. It's a lovely little retreat where you can have a short walk around and see nature that's pretty much left alone to do its thing! The pond is a lovely feature where you can sit by with a drink and chill out, watching the fish swim around.
The cafe also holds information inside on nature and had a schools area for learning.
We bought an orienteering map from here also (50p) for the Common (area the Urban cafe is located) which at some point we shall do with the family/run around it.
It's location is great and convenient too for a post Park Run rest/drink/catch up!
Written March 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yulia M
Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg City, Russia19 contributions
Nice place for a break with kids
Nov 2014 • Family
Rather pretty place in the Southampton Common with the activity zone for kids and small and cosy walled garden where you can see frogs and newtons, fish and of course birds. I don't think it may be interesting and informative for adults, but it is quite good for children. The problem is that you never know if the activity zone open or not. But you can visit one of the special events (usually in the half-term) where they have some activities (both fun and educational) and thematic trail in their garden. And besides they have a cafe with a playzone for children.
Written November 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annie A
Southampton, UK303 contributions
Don't be put off........
Aug 2014 • Friends
My friend and I stopped here the other day for a coffee. We were served by a delightful young lady who promptly bought us order. Ok we ordered simple things but I could not fault a single thing. We are definitely going to call in again, perhaps for breakfast. As for the centre itself it look interesting and nicely kept. Worth visiting if you have dog as there is seating outside and plenty of water bowls for our K9's.
Written August 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul C
Southampton, UK34 contributions
Oasis of calm in Southampton
Apr 2014 • Friends
The Hawthorn's Centre is an interesting wildlife centre in the middle of Southampton Common with a very pleasant café overlooking a lake.
Written May 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dibsy1984
dibsy198466 contributions
Rude Staff and No Dogs Allowed
Apr 2019 • Family
Visited for breakfast. Staff were extremely rude and I won’t be back. Apparently even though it’s in the middle of a common popular with dog walkers, dogs are not allowed in the hawthorns! Not even the rear garden. The cowherds pub however, they are! Madness. Won’t return
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jane C
Southampton, United Kingdom4,656 contributions
Great for Kids
Jul 2016 • Friends
Great little nature place for coffee or an ice-cream and kids love it.
Local wildlife from robins to pond divers - blackberries and waterlillies. Educational plaques give ideas to look out for. This is on the site of what used to be Southampton Zoo run by Chipperfields.
Written July 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre (Southampton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre
Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre is open:
  • Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM