Circular Walks
We have produced a circular walks pack called 'Walks along the Itchen Navigation', which includes 6 circular walks between 2 and 6 miles in length, plus a leaflet guiding you up the whole 10 mile route along the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail.
The leaflet pack is available from local outlets (pubs, visitors centres & Tourist Information Centres) or you can download individual leaflets here:
Download the leaflet folder
The walk locations and general information are included in this leaflet folder.
Download each walk leaflet below:
Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail
- Southampton to Winchester
| Distance | 10mi / 17km |
| Walk time | 4-5 hours |
| Terrain | flat |
| Nearest train station |
Swaythling, Eastleigh, |
The Itchen Navigation is one of the best chalk rivers for wildlife in Europe. It is home to otter, water vole, salmon, rare dragonflies and lots of other plants and animals. A ‘navigation’ is a modified river. The Itchen Navigation as created in 1710 to transport barges of coal and timber from Southampton to Winchester. The old towpath is now a public footpath, allowing rare access to a beautiful river.
Pubs & cafes: The White Swan (Mansbridge Rd), Itchen Valley Country Park Visitor's Centre), Prince of Wales (Bishopstoke Rd), The Anglers (Riverside), Ham Farm (Twyford Rd), Brambridge Garden Centre (Kiln Lane), The Bridge (Shawford), Black Boy (Wharf Hill), Wykeham Arms (Kingsgate St)
Mills and Meadows - Winchester
|
Distance |
3mi / 5km |
|
Walk time |
1 hour |
|
Terrain |
Flat |
|
Nearest |
Winchester |
Take a walk along two branches of the River Itchen alongside historic water meadows and the Iron Age hill fort of St. Catherine’s Hill nature reserve.
Pubs & cafes: The Black Boy (Wharf Hill), The Bell Inn (St. Cross Rd), St. Cross Hospital tearooms, The Queen Inn (Kingsgate Rd), Wickham Arms (Kingsgate St)
Valley of Fields - Compton
| Distance | 6mi / 10km |
| Walk time | 3 hours |
| Terrain | some steep parts |
| Nearest train station |
Shawford (on route) |
Explore the countryside around Compton, the ‘Valley of Fields’. Discover views and ancient yews on this beautiful walk along the Itchen Navigation. Download pdf leaflet (0.8MB).
Pubs & cafes: The Bridge (Shawford Rd), The Bell Inn (St. Cross Rd), St. Cross Hospital tearooms.
Kingfisher Trail - Twyford
| Distance | 6mi / 10km |
| Walk time | 3 hours |
| Terrain | hilly |
|
Nearest |
Shawford - 0.5mi |
Take a walk across the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park and along the stunning Itchen river valley.
Pubs & cafes: The Bridge (Shawford Rd), The Bean Below (Hazeley Rd), The Phoenix (High St, Twyford), Bugle Inn (Park Ln, Twyford)
Otter Trail - Otterbourne
| Distance | 3.5mi / 5.5km |
| Walk time | 2 hours |
| Terrain | flat |
| Nearest train station |
Shawford -1mi Eastleigh -1.5mi |
Follow in the footsteps of otters along the Itchen Navigation. Discover an old churchyard and wonderful ancient woodland on the outskirts of Otterbourne.
Pubs & cafes: Ham Farm (Twyford Rd), Brambridge Garden Centre (Kiln Lane)
Water Vole Way - Bishopstoke
| Distance | 3.5mi / 5.5km |
| Walk time | 2 hours |
| Terrain | flat/gentle slope |
| Nearest train station |
Eastleigh |
Look out for water voles swimming across the Itchen Navigation and damselflies hovering over the river margin as you walk the old towpath.
Pubs & cafes: Prince of Wales (Bishopstoke Rd), Toby Carvery (Fair Oak Rd), The Anglers (Riverside), Ham Farm (Twyford Rd), Foresters Arms (Stoke Common Rd).
Bargeman's Walk - Mansbridge (Southampton)
| Distance | 2mi / 3km |
| Walk time | 1 hour |
| Terrain | flat, easy access |
| Nearest train station |
Swaythling |
Follow the start of the bargeman’s journey up the Itchen Navigation across old river crossings, past a historic mill and medieval church.
Pubs & cafes: The White Swan (Manbridge Rd), The Hop Inn (Woodmill Ln), Fleming Arms (Wide Ln)
Please note the footbridge over the Monk's Brook (east of St. Mary's Church) is currently closed.
