Andover's new riverside park will be officially opening next month.

The Town Mills riverside park opened to the public in mid-March, during the third Covid lockdown, for residents to make use of whilst exercising.

But it will be officially opened on Wednesday, June 2, when it is filled with Alice in Wonderland themed attractions, with visitors invited to explore the enchanted garden full of colourful flowers and mushrooms, take part in a giant bug hunt and experience the weird and wonderful Playground of Illusions.

The new riverside development was a joint project between Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Andover Vision.

In addition to Hampshire County Council’s contribution of £969,000 and Test Valley Borough Council’s contribution of £133,000, the scheme has received more than half a million pounds in funding from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, bringing the total investment to £1.6 million.

There will also be some free storytelling sessions in the enchanted garden and craft workshops for children, which can be booked in advance by calling The Lights Theatre Box office.

There will be a small opening ceremony taking place at 11:30am during the event, where representatives from the organisations involved in the development will officially open the park and celebrate Andover’s newest asset.

The picturesque park offers a peaceful setting for those wishing to enjoy the space at their leisure and play, picnic and relax. People can make use of the wooden benches, which have been positioned in circular sections looking out across the river and soak up the view as they pass through the attractive route.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “It’s been a pleasure to make use of the new Riverside Park as we’ve started to move safely out of the lockdown period.

"The past couple of months have allowed for the recently planted shrubs to bed in and the grass to settle, and we are already seeing lots of people benefit from the new area.

“The opening event in June will offer a great mix of outdoor activities for the whole family to take part in.

"The park is the first step in our delivery of the total transformation of Andover town centre and sets the standard for what we plan to bring to the town.”

Hampshire County Council's deputy leader Cllr Rob Humby, said: “This event will highlight what can be achieved by working together in partnership and enable residents to see the benefits.

"We have been delighted to support the town’s regeneration with our £969,000 investment in constructing a new access to Andover’s Town Mills car park to make the town’s car parks accessible from the ring road and make the town centre a more attractive area for pedestrians and cyclists.

"This, in turn, will help to reduce congestion and improve the town’s air quality.”

Kevin Travers, EM3’s Head of Infrastructure, Transport and Place added: “Making towns greener, improving air quality and facilitating enhanced active travel links are key priorities for the LEP.

"This investment is another step forward in bringing to life the strategic priorities set out in our Revive and Renew Economic Action Plan which encourages people to stay local and presents a revisioning of town centres to make them happier places to live and work in.”

The Town Mills Riverside Park opening event will take place on Wednesday June, 2, 11am – 3pm. Free tickets for the children’s craft workshops and storytelling sessions are limited and can be booked in advance by calling The Lights Box Office on 01264 368368.