Enjoy free outdoor recreation by the River Test with children's play areas, tennis courts, fishing, and a riverside café in this heritage-rich community park.

War Memorial Park is a cherished community facility situated adjacent to the internationally renowned River Test and within walking distance of Romsey's historic town centre. Established in 1920 to honour those who fell in World War One, the park seamlessly blends historical significance with modern recreational opportunities. The park is home to the War Horse and Trooper sculpture, unveiled by The Princess Royal in 2015, which serves as a powerful memorial reflecting 100 years since the end of the First World War. Families visiting the park can enjoy an inclusive children's play area, free tennis courts (with rackets and balls available to borrow from the café), riverside fishing opportunities, and peaceful landscaped areas perfect for quiet relaxation. The locally-run Park Café provides refreshments with hot and cold food, snacks, and specialty coffees, along with free WiFi. The park hosts year-round community events including the annual Mayors Picnic, Beggars Fair, and weekend concerts featuring brass and jazz performances in the Victorian-style bandstand. The park has held the prestigious Green Flag Award for 12 consecutive years, recognising its commitment to high standards of management, sustainability, nature conservation, and heritage care. Managed in partnership with The Friends of Memorial Park, this venue is genuinely dog-friendly and suitable for all ages, offering something for everyone from toddlers to older visitors seeking peaceful outdoor spaces.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

A

aimee clowes

a month ago

Lovely clean park, with a river which is safely fenced off. Good play park and cafe serves lovely hot and cold drinks and food. One of our favourite parks to visit.

M

Maureen Buggy

a year ago

It’s a peaceful place with a beautiful large tree at the end for natural shade. The toilets close early just after 5. I would really recommend visiting the river near the gardens it’s beautiful. Search on google maps for Sadler’s mill and you find the beautiful area.

C

Claire

a year ago

Such a beautiful little park. Great scenery and perfect for when the weather is nice. Has a lovely river to walk along, plenty of seating to sit and relax. Even has a little shop for food and drink. Only downfall not much parking nearby.

M

Mick Pelling

4 years ago

Nice, small park, bordered on one side by the River Test, there is a cafe, play area, fitness equipment, and a large grassy area A strange exhibit is a WW2 Japanese field gun, a better and thought provoking exhibit is the horse statue, a memorial for war horses I spent a pleasant hour here.

L

Lizzie Horner

7 years ago

Great facilities, toilets, cafe, free tennis, fitness equipment, sometimes live music at bandstand. Ducks to feed (food available from cafe). Great for novice scooters/rollerskaters and cyclists. Well tended flower beds. Beautifully positioned with River test running through it. Good playground facilities. Parking limitations on adjacent roads.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026