Eastleigh to Winchester along the Itchen Way

Please join me for this linear walk along the Itchen Way from Eastleigh to Winchester. 

****​​​​​ANOTHER UPDATE, as many of us will be getting the train to Eastleigh station, I propose we start the walk there. If you are driving, please go to The Hub rugby car park/club and we will meet you as we pass. I think this makes more sense, after speaking to a few attendees. I will leave the station at 11am sharp, message me if you will be late, and see anyone at the car park a little after 11am.*****

**** I spoke to The Bridge Inn today who said they could only accommodate for 8 people, and anymore would have to sit separately and stagger lunch orders due to a small kitchen. With this in mind I propose we have a packed lunch and sit down on a bench****

It's an easy and flat 8.8 mile (14.2km) 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 Rugby Club and walk along the Itchen Way for around 1 hour 40 minutes to Shawford where we can pause at The Bridge Inn for either food, a drink or just to take a breath. Please feel free to bring your own packed lunch, but if you prefer to stop and sample their lunch menu, I will contact them to arrange a table.

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.

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. 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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