Ascent/Descent:
336 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 4 hours
Toughness:
4 out of 10
Take
the 10.05 Weymouth train from Waterloo (10.12 CJ), arriving Winchester at 11.04
Return
trains: plenty (from 61 mins)
“This
walk takes in all of its major historical points of interest in the ancient
city of Winchester, and some of its prettiest streets. It then carries on out
along the idyllic River Itchen to St. Catherine’s Hill, the iron age hillfort,
from where there are spectacular views of the city. From here the route crosses
some typical Hampshire downland, before descending to a section of ancient
water meadows and to a newly refurbished riverside pub for lunch.
In
the afternoon, the walk again climbs up onto the downs, giving fine distant
views of Winchester Cathedral, before descending to the ancient Hospital of St
Cross, along the water meadows and past Winchester College to tea in the
Cathedral refectory.
The
walk directions pdf includes a detailed history of Winchester and the historic
sights visited.”
A slightly longer walk is possible (map-led)
by continuing south from Twyford Down further along the Pilgrim’s Trail to the
junction with the Monarch’s Way, then west to Twyford and on to Shawford and lunch.
Lunch: The Bridge
in Shawford (9.3 km/5.8 mi, food to
14.00, a Chef and Brewer pub).
Tea: The
Hundred Men’s Hall Tea Room in St.
Cross Hospital (open until 16.30), or Winchester
Cathedral Refectory (open to 17.00) plus plenty of options in
town en-route to the station (see the pdf).
For
walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files
click here.
T=swc.15
1 comment:
n=9 on the walk today in w=initially-sunny-then-overcast-but-always-dry conditions. Nice little walk only hampered a wee bit by the motorway presence. Good mixture of historic buildings, chalk rivers and streams, pastures and chalk downs, plus a hillfort. 4 walked the map led extension, as suggested by the walk poster. This proved a success: mildly undulating terrain with shallow valleys dropping away to the right, quiet and along good paths, while passing a large war memorial for assorted London battalions based there during WWI and then an alternative pub.
3 of the main walk walkers then took either the train back from Shawford, or returned along the river, quoting evening appointments. The 6 others sped on and had time for tea and cake at the St. Cross Hospital. In a mercifully quiet courtyard in a historic building. When we sat down. Then a group of screaming school children turned up (with their mothers), and someone felt the need to mow the lawn just where we were sitting (that couldn't possibly wait until the cafe closed, obviously).
Anyway, more exposure to the lovely Itchen River followed. And then the 16.25 train.
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