Get ready to lace up your sneakers for a feel-good day of community spirit and movement in Southampton’s largest green space! On Sunday 28 June 2026, the annual Heart & Stroll event returns to Southampton Common, transforming the parkland into a lively community festival. Running from 9:00 AM until 14:30 (2:30 PM), this relaxed, non-competitive 5km walk brings families, friends, and pets together to raise vital funds for Heartbeat, supporting regional heart care and the renovation of the Heart Failure Unit at University Hospital Southampton.
Official Walk Waves and Event Schedule
The Heart & Stroll event village features continuous entertainment, but the 5km walk itself is structured into two scheduled group waves to manage the paths smoothly:
- 09:00 AM: Event Village Gates Open — Check-in opens at the main registration hub. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled wave to collect your wristbands, event maps, and starter gear.
- 10:00 AM: Walking Wave 1 Departs — The first group of participants officially crosses the starting line to begin the 5km loop around the Common.
- 10:45 AM: Walking Wave 2 Departs — The second group of walkers officially starts their 5km route.
- 11:30 AM: Festival Entertainment Commences — Live bands, the resident DJ, and fitness challenges open across the central event village. Food vendors and local artisan shopping stalls begin peak service.
- 14:30 (2:30 PM): Event Concludes — The festival village officially winds down and closes.
Ticket Tiers and Registration Guidelines
Registration fees go toward event production costs and supporting the Heart Failure Unit at University Hospital Southampton. The registration options include:
- Adult (Walker): £10.00 — Includes full access to the 5km walk, festival village entry, and an official Heart & Stroll T-shirt.
- Children (Over 5): £5.00 — Includes full access to the 5km walk, festival village entry, and a commemorative Heart & Stroll drawstring bag.
- Children (Under 5): FREE — Full entry to the walk and event village. Children under 5 must be registered alongside an adult.
- General Admission Only: £5.00 — Provides access to the event village, live music, and stalls on the day for non-walking supporters. Children under 5 enter free.
- Dogs: FREE — Family dogs are welcome to participate for free but must be explicitly registered on the booking form and kept on a lead at all times.
Booking Platform: Registrations and general admission passes are processed digitally through the central ticket gateway via Ticket Tailor or via the main charity portal at heartbeat.co.uk.
Road Closures
No public commuter road closures are put in place for this park event. However, strict vehicle restrictions apply within the park boundaries:
- The Avenue (A33) — All traffic lanes remain fully open, but standard clearway rules apply with no stopping or drop-offs permitted on the main road.
- Cemetery Road — The main vehicle access gate into the Common paths is locked to all public vehicular traffic except authorized emergency and event logistics vehicles.
How to Get There
Southampton Common sits just north of the city center and is highly accessible via public transit routes:
- By Bus: The park perimeter is heavily serviced by local bus networks. Take the Unilink U1A, U1E, or Bluestar 1 lines from the city center or Southampton Central Station and alight at the Northlands Road or Upperlands Road stops.
- By Train: Southampton Central Railway Station is located roughly 1.2 miles south of the main event site. You can complete the journey via a 25-minute walk or a quick 5-minute taxi ride.
- By Foot & Bicycle: The Common is easily accessible via dedicated pedestrian pathways and cycle lanes running parallel to the A33. Secure bike racks are available near The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre.
Where to Park near Southampton Common
There is no public parking permitted on the grass fields of the Common. Drivers should utilize the following nearby parking locations:
- Cemetery Road Parking (SO15 7NN): Offers dedicated pay-and-display on-street parking spaces located right alongside the southern boundary of the Common. Space here is limited and fills up quickly on weekend mornings.
- Hill Lane Street Car Park: A public open-air car park situated on the western edge of the Common, offering straightforward walking access directly onto the main paths.
- Southampton University Highfield Campus Car Parks: Located a short walk away to the northeast, offering massive parking capacity that relaxes and becomes completely free to use over the weekend.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things to do across the city? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover the latest festivals, live music, theater shows, and community events happening near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What date and time is Heart & Stroll 2026?
- The event takes place on Sunday 28 June 2026. The event village opens at 09:00 AM, and the entire festival finishes at 14:30 (2:30 PM).
- What are the departure times for the 5km walk?
- There are two official walking waves: the first wave leaves at 10:00 AM, and the second wave leaves at 10:45 AM. Participants should arrive 30 minutes before their wave to check in.
- Can I bring my dog or a baby stroller on the walk?
- Yes! The 5km route uses the flat, paved main paths of Southampton Common, making it fully accessible for prams and pushchairs. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome to participate for free.
- What is included in the Adult Walker registration ticket?
- The £10.00 adult walker ticket includes full access to the 5km walk, entry to the event festival village, and an official Heart & Stroll T-shirt.
- Where is the best place to park for the event?
- Pay-and-display spaces are available along Cemetery Road (SO15 7NN), and a public lot is located at Bellemoor Road (SO15 7RE). Free weekend parking is also available at the nearby University of Southampton Highfield Campus.
