Bitterne Station Community Hub

21/10/2026

Had a little foray out to https://mayfieldgardencentre.org.uk/ - as station adopters we qualify for a discount :) And its a lovely place to visit in it own right (they do a good cuppa!) Thanks Maureen Taylor for the driving.. and to Hampshire Community Rail Partnership (Charlene Arrondeau :) for organising the discount.... can't wait to get these beauties planted!

We also have a small, independent fresh fruit and vegetable shop, along with a florist and dog grooming salon on site. Unwind in our café after a stroll

21/10/2026

Took delivery of a couple of new leaflet racks yesterday, John (my long-suffering husband) installed them this morning. I feel its made a great improvement :) A lot of the stuff on the horizontal rack is free (i.e. the pencils, waterbottles and Thomas books). We're next open this Friday 23rd October for our regular weekly The Art House pop-up pantry, 11am - 1pm.

20/10/2026

At Bitterne we 'lost' our signal box in the 1950's (?) - so it would be lovely to help out a neighbouring adopted station to restore theirs...

Hampshire Community Partnership CIC is excited to present our… Hampshire Community Rail Partnership CIC needs your support for Help us to restore Woolston Station Heritage Signal Box

19/10/2026

https://linktr.ee/bitternestation with many thanks to my good friend & colleague Jez Franck - Artist :)

Small community centre/hub in the old waiting room, Bitterne Station - and a community garden.

19/10/2026

Meme swiped from Fossilheads Climate Crisis Cabaret with no shame whatsoever..

19/10/2026

Thank you Hampshire Community Rail Partnership for the shout-out :) https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1102560256002601&set=a.102359166022720

Every Friday, The Art House pop-up pantry is at Bitterne station providing pay-as-you-can food and meals to people.

Can you support this amazing project?

Donate: https://thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/donate/

South Western Railway

18/10/2026

Car parking latest...
Ok, so we're an unstaffed station, so you won't be able to get tickets from our ticket office, but i have just had confirmation from the Station Manager, that "Whilst (the sign is) generic, customers are able to purchase season tickets for Bitterne at St Denys, Woolston and Southampton Central ticket offices which is why that has been included. I appreciate it doesn’t specifically detail that, but that is what the carpark team and Apcoa wish to display.

I’m sorry it has mixed feelings regarding charging, free parking anywhere these days is few and far between. It will also have a beneficial impact regarding people abusing the parking leaving spaces for customers using our service."

Thanks folkx

18/10/2026

Our Little Free Library has had it's monthly clean & spruce :) There is a bit of space for some more books, but not much.... The outside & inside windows & sills have also been given their monthly clean.. plus a spot clean inside the building, including a good mop of the main waiting room floor, ready for our next set of hirers :)

17/10/2026

Thanks Jez Franck - Artist for flagging this :) WIN A FLYING SCOTSMAN EXPERIENCE!
Just ONE WEEK to go until the world-famous Flying Scotsman makes its historic return to Swanage Railway!
To celebrate, we're giving one lucky winner the chance to win TWO tickets to experience Flying Scotsman up close during one of our special Static Viewing Days.
Want to be in with a chance of winning? Here's how to enter:
1. Like this post
2. Comment below and tell us who you'd bring along!
And don't forget to share the excitement with your friends and family!
Competition closes at 9am on Tuesday 20 October 2026, with the lucky winner announced shortly afterwards.
Good luck!
T&Cs apply. Prize includes two tickets for a Flying Scotsman Static Viewing Day, subject to availability. No cash alternative. The winner will be contacted directly by Swanage Railway. This competition is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Instagram.
📸 Photo credit: Andrew P M Wright

16/10/2026

And, in between :)