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About us

Miller’s Pond Nature Reserve & Sholing Valleys Study Centre

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Spanning around 20 acres, Miller’s Pond is Southampton’s largest and most diverse Local Nature Reserve. Since 1988, Sholing Valleys Study Centre has been working as a registered charity to preserve Miller’s Pond its surrounding areas, whilst educating the public about this unique environment and the wildlife found here.


We offer:


  • Conservation Days - public and corporate

  • Educational ‘Naturewatch’ sessions for children

  • Guided nature walks

  • Talks and lectures

  • Open Days

  • Family Fun Day events

  • Course Fishing


Local groups including a Forest School, Scouts and Guides, and the local Police also make use of our facilities. If you would like to find out more about using the space for your own group, please contact us using the form on this website.

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About Us: About Us

Conservation Days

Promoting Wellbeing

Engagement with nature and green spaces is proven to boost wellbeing, improve mental health, and reduce stress. With a Local Nature Reserve right on your doorstep, you can benefit from all we have to offer. 
All our Volunteer Days are listed on our facebook page. 
If you would like to book in a team building workday, or use your volunteer hours with us, we would be very happy to host you. 

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Nature Watch 

Monthly Kids Workshops

Naturewatch Club
Our club for children takes place on the last Sunday of the month (with the exception of August and December). It runs from 10.30am-12.00pm, with sessions costing £1.50 per child, or free to members - membership for the whole year costs just £6. Better still, the first session is free so there’s nothing to lose in coming along to give it a try.


Naturewatch sessions encourage children’s interest in nature through fun educational activities while helping
to raise awareness about the natural world. Activities include:

  • Nature Walks

  • Plant, animal and fungi identification

  • Seasonal arts and crafts

  • Outdoor games and challenges

Children under 5 must be accompanied by a parent or carer and those age 5 or over can stay for the session in the care of our Naturewatch Volunteers.  We advise everyone to 'dress for mess', with coats, walking shoes or wellies in cold weather and sun hats and sunscreen in warmer weather, as some of the session is always spent outside.

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Course Fishing

Accessing your local Pond

There are no day fishing permits required to fish on Miller's Pond. The pond contains carp, rudd and tench some terrapins and apparently a pike!

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About Us: Mission
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Guided Bat Walks

Join us for for some local Bat Spotting

Bats are fascinating creatures. And we love the ones we have on site. 
Special hosted walks that take you on a guided tour of the area as you get a chance to go bat spotting! Learn all about these beautiful creatures and get a chance to glimpse them in their natural habitat. We walk the site with bat detectors so you can hear them echo-locate. The kids love these events. We are happy to host private Bat Walks for any occasion.

About Us: History
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