Royal Victoria Chapel (Netley Hospital Chapel) — Attraction in Eastleigh

This is a beautiful place and in my younger years I travelled here many times with my wife back in the 80's as we lived in Warsash and could easily get here from there by the ferry to Hamble and then walk or catch a bus.

Coming from military families and backgrounds it was and still is interesting to us.

The main hospital was really badly designed and was demolished in 1966 after a fire. The chapel was finally declared a listed building and the estate was then turned into the park it is to day.

It was in fact designed to look pretty from Southampton Water and despite protestations from Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria it was allowed to be finished instead of being altered.

The new and first ever Victoria Cross, VC. The highest military honor for Valor was buried there underneath the Foundation stone by Queen Victoria in May 1856. Whether it still remains there today I do not know. I would like to think so though.

I'm 60 now and moved to Spain in 2000 and just fancied having a Google Earth moment, what I would ask you to do if you can find the time when you are there is to locate the very old and overgrown military cemetery which is in my opinion not properly looked after, even back in the 80's.

Please spend some time there to reflect over what you see on the gravestones of all the soldiers who succumbed to their injuries in the hospital from the Crimea and further wars, just read the stones and the thing you will find moving is the age of the young men and women buried there and no longer remembered unless you visit them .

It is very much worth a afternoon of your time, an early morning walk with your kids or the dogs or a picnic

Thank you.

12 January...

As history lessons go this one is really good.Although only the chapel remains there is so much history to be learnt from a hospital that dates back to the 1800's.There is no charge to visit the ground floor and the small charge of 3.50p to visit the bell tower isn't excessive.Im over age 60 and thought it great value and enjoyed the climb.It is a long climb but there's a lift for the less mobile.There is one floor that still has the original pews and again has information about the patients who stayed here.The ground floor tells the story of staff,patients and so much more.Climb the bell tower to the the map of the hospital,great views and you can even ring the bell.There's a cafe as well downstairs and a shop.The staff couldn't have been nicer and there's concessions for older folk.The chapel.really is worth a visit and so is the park.The Commonwealth wargraves commision cemetery should be part of your visit as you explore.To be honest there are great sunsets here and i saw a really good one ton ight.Great day out for everyone.If you aren't from Southampton you might not know the park has a pond full of birds,a light railway&the land around the chapel is the size of two football pitches of grass.There"s woodland,a teepee campsite and it's right next to the foreshore and lots of parking...

This was a pleasant surprise. We only stopped overnight in Southampton on our road trip, but we decided to drive to the shore early the next day before actually leaving. As we were walking along the park pathway we saw this beautiful tower and decided to have a look. It was quiet with a few visitors but maybe we were just very early. Best decision ever! The ladies who work there were so friendly and helpful. The reception lady explained it was turned into a mini museum from the initial hospital built by Queen Victoria to honor soldiers she thought were not receiving the best treatment. The museum is free but you can pay to go up the tower. We stayed on the ground floor. It's great for kids and I had two teenage girls that loved seeing the memorabilia and reading the history. Many interactive games too. Amazing to see the doctors notes, old stretchers and wheelchairs as well as the regalia and nurses uniforms. They have a coffee shop and small curio/gift store too. Lovely visit followed by a walk on the...