Great Salterns Field

Where

Burrfields Road is to the north and Stanley Avenue / Tangier Road is to the south of this large field. There is footpath access from each of these roads. Great Salterns Golf Course forms the boundary to the east.

Opening Times

This site is open at all times

Area

321,000 square metres   (32.10 Hectares)

What's There

• In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries this open area of grassland and scrub was the site of salterns (lagoons for evaporating sea water to produce salt). The salt was supplied in large quantities to the Navy Fleet.

• Between the 1930’s and 1960’s the area was used as a municipal refuse tip before being landscaped.

• The mown grass to the centre of the field was formerly used for football pitches and one pair of full size goals remain. The surrounding area has been left as a natural open space for people to enjoy.

• A cricket pitch and pavilion are to the south of the site.

• To the north of the field, approximately 7 hectares of open grassland and scrub have been leased to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is known as Great Salterns Reserve.

• The Reserve and remainder of the field, excluding the sports pitches, form a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation). There is significant  wildlife interest in the area. Over a hundred species of moth have been recorded here and large numbers of butterfly are visible in the summer including Brimstone and Gatekeeper. A variety of birds include breeding Skylark and warblers, Stonechat, Whitethroat and Blackcap.

• Great Salterns Preservation Society take an active interest in the area. They carry out valuable maintenance works to keep bramble cut back and the network of footpaths accessible. The Society also have great involvement in the pond within the Reserve. They installed a viewing platform, maintain the plant growth and keep an information board updated with news of interest.

• The remaining areas of the field have horse paddocks and an archery range accessed from Cobden Avenue.