Rough Guide to Local Nature Walks in Winchester, Hampshire
Rough Guide to Local Nature Walks in Winchester
This time under lockdown has really driven home to a lot of people the benefits of nature to mental health and being able to go for a walk. I am sure it will be a long time before many of us take the local walk for granted.
When we first moved to Winchester I really wanted to find nature spots in Winchester but was clueless about local walks and places to go and feel the country air, or the best places to research. As we didn’t (and still don’t have) a car, and with two young children - it has taken me a while to build up the knowledge and confidence of where to go with the kids. That experience has been a huge motivation to share what I have learnt with other newcomers to the area. A Parent’s Guide to Winchester, if you will!
This article is going to be a really rough guide of places we have enjoyed going to and that others have suggested. Where I know the info, I have given it and have tried to find links. I hope it will help you as you get to know the areas in and around Winchester.
Not Included:
Parking / local amenities / 2 metre distancing guidance.
Local Resources
This link to Hampshire Walks is new and it is brilliant. If you would like to work it out yourself, you could probably ignore the rest of my article and just follow the footpaths suggested...
https://maps.hants.gov.uk/rightsofwaydefinitivemap/
But for more detail, read on!
Another way I have found of researching local walks is through local facebook groups.
Either search old posts or ask a question, people are really friendly and helpful there.
In researching for this post, I have just discovered a facebook page called Hampshire Walks - which looks like it has some handy info on it.
However if you would like some specific ideas, here are some walks I have done, or which I have seen recommended on local facebook groups about places where you can find nature close to Winchester.
Keep in mind though some of these walks may be long, you can just join and do a section which suits the needs of any little legs you have with you.A handy link for dog walks in Winchester seems to be this one: Dog walks in Hampshire
Nuns Walk / Alan King Way Abbott’s Barton, Winchester:
This one is our favourite Winchester Walk as it’s so close to home! This one starts where the river meets Hillier Way (incidentally there is a car park near here, don’t know how much it is though). You can go two different ways here, towards town or out of town - we are going out of town for real nature. If you head out away from town, the path goes on to Nuns Walk at the first bridge and then eventually crosses another bridge and becomes Alan King Way. This path is narrow - I have only just started now to go along here as my children are a little older - it isn’t suited to buggies or daredevil toddlers. The walk can actually take you all the way to Kings Worthy, but we are currently content to go half way up and come back.
Barton Meadows, Courtney Rd, Winchester
This walk starts at Courtney Rd and can end on Andover Rd or Kings Worthy. Join walk at the north end of Courtney Rd (it is a residential area, I don’t know what the parking is like).
So far we have been doing this… turn right as you go in, following that path and then turning left at the row of trees. Look out for the deer in the field and the trains in the distance. At the end of the row of trees you can turn right and walk around the field. This path will eventually bring you to Wellhouse Lane in Kings Worthy.
One day I plan to do the Barton Meadows walk, have lunch at Cobbs Farm Restaurant and then walk through Kings Worthy and follow the Alan King Walk back to Winchester.
Alternatively you could take a shorter walk. At the end of the row of the trees go under the bridge on your left, follow the path to the right and then at some point (there are several paths and a row of trees at the end) cross the field. Keep walking in that direction, pass the new school and you eventually get to Andover Rd.
Water Meadows
There are so many bits to this path - it is good to explore and find your favourite bit. We joined at the city centre (It starts near the Winchester City Mill) and carried on to Five Bridges Rd, walked down the road and then came back past St Catherines Hill along the Itchen Navigation, we had a double buggy at the time and it was fine. If you use the link above and look online, you will find lots more detailed info.
Magdalen Hill, Butterfly Reservation, Alresford Road.
We usually incorporate this walk with a trip to the science centre, full details on their website https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/reserves/magdalen-hill-down-hampshire
St Giles Hill
It took us way too long to check out this walk, and I highly suggest if you haven’t been - you should waste no time.
We approach by the path where Bridge Street meets Magdalen Hill. That path is short but steep and leads to lots of steps, so you need to be of decent fitness. My 3 and 5 year olds bounce up the steps though - so kids are fine it seems. The view of Winchester at the top is beautiful and well worth the effort. There is a road at the top so if there are mobility issues you could drop someone off (don’t know about parking at the top
Winnall Nature Reserve
The Nature reserve can be approached by bridge from Riverside park - took me a good 6 months to discover that! That entrance is particularly handy for the North Walls carpark. Or the main entrance which is on the east end of North Walls. Winnall Nature Reserve has been closed ever since the broadwalks were flooded and damaged during the winter. I understand that it has opened now, but haven’t yet been to confirm.
Oliver’s Battery Rec to Badger Farm Sainsburys
I think this walk might be part of the greater South Downs Walk, but I just want to draw your attention to the fact that it exists. It is nearly a year since we did this route but I will try my best to remember the route. It is approached by the carpark of Sainsbury’s (on the far left as you are looking at the store), I think some steps go down here, and then the path goes to the right and then eventually some steps take up up to the path. We turned right at the top and went to Oliver’s Battery Rec that way but I think you can go left as well for a nice walk. It is on my list to do!
St Catherine’s Hill
This is a beautiful walk for a sunny day and has a cafe at the bottom which I believe is doing take away coffee at the moment. If it is wet, wear good shoes - it can be treacherous.
Link here for all the important info
Itchen Walk
With 30 miles of walkways, I am will merely point you in the way of this website, which has more than I could ever tell you! The Itchen Way
South Downs
The South Downs is huge, it can be joined from Winchester and has lots of information online, including this Explore the South Downs. The starting point is at Five Fields Way in Highcliffe, there is also a playground next to the start - so if you have kids, that can be handy (once the playground is open of course!).
Three Castles Path
This one was suggested to me, though I have not been on myself. Whilst it has it’s own website, you will also see from Hampshire’s interactive map how it could join back to the Alan King Walk route I suggested above if you don’t want to go all the way to Windsor.
This walk starts on a small road that comes off Easton Lane, I can’t work out the name of the path but if you look at a map it is the last left before you come to Fiona Close, and is just after Halfords Auto Centre.
Peter Symonds College
Over lockdown Peter Symonds College have been opening the grounds to the public, if you are a local with small kids - this is a great place to go and kick a ball or let them run about safely. I understand that they open during holidays as well.
Peninsula Square
If you want to stay closer to home, go and check out the lavender in Peninsula Square, based in the top of town - it provides a little oasis of peace in a busy city.
Suggestions From Others
Our own walks are fairly limited to where we can get to via walking or public transport, but I have been asking around and here are some suggestions.
Farley Mount
Crab Wood
Stockbridge down
Danebury rings
Chilbolton common
Fordingbridge Park
Ampfield Wood
Membership / Paid Entrance (for when they reopen)
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Mottisfort House, National Trust