The Itchen Way

I have some catching up to do!

This summer we walked the Itchen Way, over five weekends from July through to August.

The Itchen Way is a 31.80 mile walk which (more or less) follows the Itchen from the coast to its source near Cheriton. We often walk the portion of the river which flows through Riverside Park and decided that this year we would make it our mission to see the rest of its course.

Our guide for this walk was 'The Itchen Way' which is published by the Eastleigh Ramblers and available at a couple of local shops in Hampshire - we got ours from the shop at the Itchen Valley Country Park.

The guide book splits the walk into 8 legs of varying lengths and we paired some of these up to make a total of five walks - four longer and one shorter.

Part 1 - Sholing to Mansbridge (7.18 miles) 1 July 2017
The first leg of the walk took us from Sholing station to Mansbridge - we left the car at Riverside Park and took a taxi to the station as there was no convenient public transport connection. This is the longest leg of the walk at 7.18 miles and took us about 2.5 hours to complete. The first third of the walk through Mayfield Park and the Weston wetlands to Weston Shore was very pleasant.

The second section of the walk was rather less interesting, doglegging it's way through the built up housing of Southampton to stay as close to the river as possible. We stayed true to the route and followed the looping route but it was a little frustrating to know we could easily of knocked off half an hour by sticking to a straighter path!

The final section of the route put us on familiar ground as we walked up through Riverside Park and back to Mansbridge.

Part 2 - Mansbridge to Shawford (7.26 miles) 9 July 2017
We combined two stages of the guidebook for our second walk and put together the Mansbridge to Bishopstoke and Bishopstoke to Shawford legs to make one longer walk. This was easily done using public transport with Southampton Airport Parkway a short walk from Mansbridge, and Shawford station about 30 seconds away from the end of the walk. We picked a lovely day with the sun shining down and this was probably my favourite leg of the walk - lots of pretty footpaths along the riverside and a nice pub at the end!

Part 3 - Shawford to Winchester (3.45 miles) 30 July 2017
We opted to stick with a single section from the guidebook for this leg of the walk as we were a little short for time. To make the logistics work we parked in Winchester and took the train back to Shawford then walked back to the car. The walk along the river was again very pleasant and we took the optional extension up St Catherine's Hill before returning to the Itchen Way and heading into town. Overall this made a pleasant hour and a half walk.
 

Part 4 - Winchester to Itchen Stoke (7.39 miles) 6 August 2017
The logistics got a little tricky here as we were walking on a Sunday, when the bus service doesn't run! Fortunately we were joined by a friend who also drives and were able to leave one car at the end of the walk (there's space for 2-3 cars at the end of Water Lane in Itchen Stoke) then drive back to Winchester and do the walk. This was a cross-country ramble where we often didn't see the river at all, but it made for a nice walk, if slightly more strenuous than the earlier legs.

Part 5 - Itchen Stoke to Cheriton Source (6.42 miles) 13th August 2017

The last leg of our walk saw us leave one car at Hinton Ampner National Trust and then take the other back to our parking spot at Water Lane in Itchen Stoke. We got a little lost in the hills above Cheriton and had to backtrack to find a way across the river, but once on the right side of the water the final push to the Cheriton Source was easy downhill walking and we found the (distinctly underwhelming) source bubbling up by the side of the road. We were slightly worried about getting locked in at Hinton Ampner so we pushed straight on back to the car (we needn't have worried, the gates are automatic and will let cars out even after they are shut!)

The end of the Itchen Way

Wrap Up
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our walks through the countryside and the Itchen Way gave us a great focus to our summer's walking. 2-3 hours a day was plenty for us and Sunday afternoon's turned out to be a very nice time to go for a walk.

Goring by Sea to Worthing

Today we (belatedly) celebrated Mum's birthday with a trip to the Sea Lane Cafe in Goring by Sea. Admittedly it's not quite in Hampshire, but it was the site of our walk for this weekend so I'm going to include it!

The Cafe is always busy, but once we found a table we enjoyed a delicious selection of fish and traditional English puds then took a gentle wander along the headland to let our food settle. Mum and Dad headed home and we decided to extend our visit with a slightly brisker walk along the sea front to Worthing. The path along the sea front is wide and well paved and it was a nice afternoon's stroll.

 You could make the walk as long or as short as you like as it's a there-and-back-again - we continued along until we reached The Waterwise gardens in Worthing and then returned back along the coast to Goring by Sea.

Statistics: 

Total Walk Time: 1hr
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat
Cost: Free - car park allows 2hrs free parking, or ample free parking on roads along the sea front.

Useful Links:

Sea Lane Cafe

http://www.sealanecafe.co.uk/

Waterwise Garden

http://www.visitworthing.co.uk/what-to-do/waterwise-garden-p372111

Hamble Rail Trail

Today we headed over to the Royal Victoria Country Park to walk the Hamble Rail Trail, which follows the route of the now disused railway built to connect Manchester and Hamble towards the end of WW2.

The path starts at the Royal Victoria Country Park, where we paid £4 to park for the day, and follows alongside the old railway, mainly on woodland tracks which, whilst rather muddy, were flat and easy to follow.

The old railway fixtures are still in place, but are showing their age as they were last operated in the 80's.

The railway terminates at the BP oil terminal, where the best preserved piece of track disappears out of reach and into the industrial site.

The oil terminal, and nearby industrial units weren't the most scenic, but the footpath along the waterfront was well maintained.

The beach was popular with both local birds and local dog-walkers

And the water itself was host to a flotilla of small boats

Our walk ended back in the Royal Victoria Country Park at the site of the old military hospital. The only remaining part of the structure is the Chapel, which is currently closed for refurbishment.

All-in-all we had a pleasant hour-and-a-half walk and celebrated with a cup of tea and a cake at the Park's cafe.

Statistics:

Total Walk Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, muddy in places, pebble beach for about 15 mins
Cost: £4 to part at RVCP. Could park for free on the roads outside the park or start from one of the other car-parks marked on the maps below.

Useful Links:

Hamble Rail Trail Maps & Guides:
http://www.hamblevalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/HV-Rail-Trail10-LR.pdf
http://www.hamblevalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Hamble-Rail-Trail-Walking-Leaflet.jpg

Royal Victoria County Park Website
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/countryside-service/country-parks/rvcp.htm

Royal Victoria Country Park - Trip Advisor
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g790308-d216074-Reviews-Royal_Victoria_Country_Park_Chapel-Netley_Hampshire_England.html

The Bargeman's Walk

Today we walked the Bargeman's Walk, laid out in a convenient leaflet available from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust website as part of their Itchen Navigation Project.

The walk took us up to Mansbridge Lock (via a sneaky detour to the White Swan Carver for lunch) where the water was completely frozen and stones could be skipped along the river with satisfying ease. 

We then continued on to the Mansbridge Reservoir, which was only mostly frozen - where this spade came from I have no idea, but it's not often you see one sitting in the middle of the lake!

The local birds seemed unfazed by the ice, happily hopping in and out, and their feathers added a bit of variety to the smooth icy surface.

After visiting the reservoir we looped back though a residential area and emerged by St Mary's Church in Swaythling. The church is one of Southampton's two remaining Medieval Church, parts of which date back to the 12th Century. I must have driven past this church hundreds of times, but this is the first time I have have stopped to visit it, and it's rather lovely.

Statistics:

Total Walk Time: 1 hour
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, muddy in places.
Cost: £Nil. Free parking readily available.

Useful Links:

Walk Leaflet from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust:

http://www.winningwaysforwildlife.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/Living%20Landscapes/Itchen/Bargemans_Walk.pdf

St Mary's Church
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary's_Church,_South_Stoneham
The White Swan Carvery
http://www.greatbritishcarvery.co.uk/our-pubs/white-swan

Riverside Park

A bit of a 'cheat' walk, as it's our local park, but we took a walk through Riverside Park at sunset today. 

From the car park by Woodmill cross the road and turn left to follow the footpath along Woodmill Road. At the mini-roundabouts turn left to follow Forest Hills Drive then River Walk. At the end of River Walk turn left into the park, then left again to follow the river back to Woodmill. 

Cross the road at Woodmill and continue straight into the park bearing right to follow the river (which is largely out of sight behind the trees) and continue along the edge of the park towards the Cobden Bridge. When you reach the large wooden-fort playground follow the fork to the left and loop back towards the start, past the model railway, then retrace your steps until you reach a path branching right across the playing fields. Turn left at the end towards the skate park, then left again to return to the road at Woodmill and cross over to return to the car park.

The loop is about 4km and takes about 45mins, or an hour at a more leisurely pace, and is on well maintained footpaths and level ground.

Parking is free, and if Woodmill car park is full there are two more car parks on Manor Farm Road.

Statistics:

Total Walk Time: 1 hour
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, on accessible paved paths.
Cost: £Nil - Free parking readily available.

Useful Websites:

Park Website
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/people-places/parks-open-spaces/parks/riverside.aspx

Park Map
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Riverside%20Park%20map_tcm63-366731.pdf

Trip Advisor
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186299-d216070-Reviews-Riverside_Park-Southampton_Hampshire_England.html

Itchen Valley Country Park

We started our weekend walks with a trip to Itchen Valley Country Park, mainly because I wanted to purchase a copy of The Itchen Way guidebook, which is only sold at their gift shop. I doubt we'll ever do the full 10hr walk, but by breaking into smaller pieces we intend to walk the length of the Itchen Navigation this year.

Upon arrival there was plenty of parking and the car park was reasonable at £2.50 for 1-4 hours. A copy of the guidebook was acquired and stashed in the car and we headed into the park.

On a slightly soggy January afternoon the park was pleasantly quiet and we decided to walk the 1hr Woods and Meadow Walk. Except I accidentally put us onto the Forest Trail, having mixed up the names. The forest trail was a pleasant wander through the woods on very good paths (several buggies were encountered) and quickly took us back to the car park. The half hour walk-time was pessimistic - we weren't rushing and it took us maybe 15 mins max.

After our little meander we looked at the map(!) and this time did find the Woods and Meadow Walk, which took us across High Hill Field and into the Woodland Nature Reserve - the field was a bit wet, and the woodland was very muddy, but it was a nice little walk - again, the 1hr estimate was a long way out, and it took about 25 mins.

At one end of the Woodland Nature Reserve trail there's a little side track to a viewing platform which overlooks the brick kiln which was discovered on the site in November 2003.

We stopped in at the very reasonably priced cafe on our way for a quick cuppa then headed home. I probably wouldn't drive up here again, because the walks are a little short even for us, but it's only about a 45 minute walk from home so we will probably walk up and back in the summer and try the Meadow Trail.

The map of the park is displayed on boards at the park, freely printable from the Eastleigh BC website (below) and can be purchased in booklet form for 60p from the on-site shop.

As noted above, the estimated walk times were about double what it actually took two adults to stroll around. Perhaps if you were corralling dogs and tiny children it would take the times stated, but otherwise expect to complete the loops a lot more quickly.

In the winter, the park is open from 8am to 7pm and the cafe and visitors center are open from 10:30am to 4:30pm on weekends and school holidays. There is also a Go Ape centre on site for the more adventurous.

Statistics:

Total Walk Time: 45 minutes
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, muddy in places.
Cost: £2.50 for 4 hours in car park

Useful Websites:

Eastleigh BC Website:
https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/sport,-countryside,-parks-culture/countryside/itchen-valley-country-park.aspx

Go Ape:
https://goape.co.uk/days-out/southampton

Trip Advisor:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g503826-d215554-Reviews-or10-Itchen_Valley_Country_Park-Eastleigh_Hampshire_England.html