[1][2] The ancient duckpond in Manor Farm and the neighbouring St Bartholomew's Church are mentioned in the Domesday book.

Once decommissioned in 1946, the buildings that were left behind by the Royal Navy were used to house citizens of Southampton who were displaced by bombing during World War II.

[8] In 2019 it was reported that Hampshire County Council would be investing £800,000 into the Country Park through the construction of a new visitor centre, replacement of play equipment and the improvement of wayfinding and walking routes across the site.

It opened in 1984 as the Manor Farm museum and has since developed into a family-focused visitor attraction within the setting of the historic farmyard run by Hampshire County Council.

Popular activities on offer at the farm include daily animal interactions and feeding, story time and Victorian school lessons.

Other on-site facilities include a visitor centre and gift shop located in the 18th century threshing barn,[11] a large indoor children's play area - the Playbarn, a cafe for visitors[11] as well as amenities such as toilets and an education centre for visiting school groups.

It starts in Botley, then runs through the River Hamble Country Park to Bursledon, where it splits to Hamble-le-Rice and then on to Netley.