Eastleigh to Winchester along the Itchen Way
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Please join me for this linear walk along the Itchen Way from Bishopstoke to Winchester.
It's an easy and flat 7.8 mile (12.5km) walk along the Itchen river that is famous for its chalk base. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its range of habitats that protect species such as water voles, otters and southern damselfly. Much of it will be following the Itchen Navigation, which is a disused canal completed in 1710 to act as a trading route between Winchester and the sea at Southampton. This trading route was integral to link up the two cities and was used for around 150 years. Today, many people enjoy the delights on this walk throughout the year, and I hope you will join me on a walk I have enjoyed multiple times over.
We will start at Eastleigh and walk along the Itchen Way to Shawford where we can pause at The Bridge Inn for a drink or just to take a breath. This section should take just under 3 hours.
Next, we continue along the Itchen Way, past Twyford Lock and onto Winchester, with (hopefully) stunning views of St Catherine's Hill before descending into Winchester itself. This part is about 3 miles, so should take between 45 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, so is slightly shorter than the first half of the day.
Once we reach Winchester the walk ends, but you are welcome to join me in The Black Boy pub for a drink, look around Winchester or take the train/bus home at your own convenience.
I last walked this route in December 2023, but its such a lovely route to walk all seasons, I thought it was about time I walk it again. I hope you'll join me.
Dogs are welcome on my walk, but please have them under control. At some points the path is quite narrow and you may need to step aside should anyone else be passing, and walk in single file. Be prepared you may need to call you dog to heel on occasion. From what I can find on dog friendly websites, rather than hearsay, they should be welcome in both pubs mentioned, but please do feel free to check with the pubs yourselves.
Photographs
Copyright: Itchen Nav Old Weir, 2007, Pedro near Bishopstoke
Itchen Way, 2014, Darrell Grundy, multicolouredplanet.com
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What to bring
Whilst this is a flat walk, depending on the weather, it may get muddy, so dress appropriately. There were a couple of places last year where the path had fallen into the river and the path had flooded so do wear stout boots.
Wear strong walking boots/shoes and socks, and it's advisable to bring a weatherproof jacket.
Do bring water and snack/lunch depending on what you prefer and feel you personally need.
Food & drink
Please bring snacks and a packed lunch that we can stop and eat on route.