Environment and History
Southampton Water Activities Centre is managed by the charity, Active Nation, and is a purpose-built centre situated in the heart of Southampton's historic waterfront area adjacent to Ocean Village Marina. The Centre operates on the lower reaches of the River Itchen and Southampton Water on the old Floating Bridge site.
For many years, dinghies and small sailing boats crossed the River Itchen between the Chapel area of Southampton on the west bank, and the village of Itchen Ferry on the east bank, now known as Woolston. They provided a key link for people wanting to travel between Southampton and Portsmouth. In 1836 The Floating bridge was built across the River Itchen and survived until 1977. On 1st June 1977 The Itchen Bridge opened to replace the Floating Bridge and still dominates the Itchen River skyline to date.
The River Itchen flows 43 km from north Hampshire to Southampton Water and marks the edge of Southampton’s port. The area has national and European conservation status protecting plants, invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals resulting in a desirable area to visit and study.
