Itchen Way
Encyclopedia
The Itchen Way is a 31.8 miles (51.2 km) long-distance footpath
following the River Itchen
in Hampshire
, England, from its source near Hinton Ampner House
to its mouth at Woolston. The walk finishes at Sholing railway station. The route has been promoted by the Eastleigh Group of the Ramblers
with grant aid from Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council. The route was altered and improved in 2008.
from close to its source at Hinton Ampner. The route passes the springs at the head of the river, before running through New Cheriton, Cheriton
. At Tichborne
, after touching the edge of New Alresford
, the path cuts the corner to Ovington
. The river is crossed several times, to Itchen Stoke
, Avington
and Itchen Abbas
. From here the path stays on the right bank to Martyr Worthy
.
Between Martyr Worthy and Abbots Worthy
the Itchen Way, King's Way
, St. Swithun's Way and Three Castles Path
form a network either side of the river, allowing various routes to be followed.
From Martyr Worthy the waymarked Itchen Way crosses the river twice to loop through Easton
. Back on the right bank the path passes through a tunnel under the M3 motorway
to Abbots Worthy
, before again crossing the Itchen to join the Three Castles Path (St. Swithun's way and King's Way continuing to Winchester on the right bank). Heading south the Itchen Way passes under the A34 before running parallel with the former route of the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
between the Winnall Moors
nature reserve and the Winnall industrial estate. After a short section along roads it enters Winchester at Durngate. The route then passes along the river through the historic centre of Winchester
before following the Itchen Navigation
, again running parallel with the former railway past the foot of St. Catherine's Hill
.
After again passing under the M3 at the foot of Twyford Down
, the Navigation and path cross to the west of the river, past Shawford
, Otterbourne
and Allbrook
, Eastleigh
and Bishopstoke
. A short diversion beyond Bishopstoke gives access to Itchen Valley Country Park
. South of the M27
the path crosses the western suburbs of Southampton
. From the mouth of the river at Weston Point, Woolston, an extension of the path runs inland to Millers Pond and Sholing station.
the path shares its route with the Solent Way
. The northern end joins the Wayfarers Walk
. The path also crosses, joins or shares sections of route with a number of long distance paths converging on Winchester, including the South Downs Way
, Clarendon Way
, King's Way
, Pilgrims' Trail
, St. Swithun's Way and Three Castles Path
. The Monarch's Way
crosses at Shawford.
by metal disks attached to wooden posts and adhesive stickers and these show a yellow arrow on a dark green background and the words The Itchen Way in the yellow arrow. Between these waymarks there are intermediate standard footpath waymarks bearing the Hampshire County Council logo. There is only limited waymarking in the urban area of Winchester. In Southampton it is waymarked by adhesive stickers on street furniture with the approval of Southampton City Council.
and water meadows along the upper river, the historic centre of Winchester and the Iron-Age fort of St Catherine's Hill
. Along other parts of the route are remains of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
including Hockley Railway Viaduct
, and former locks on the Navigation. Landmarks further south include Southampton Airport
, the Ford
factory at Swaythling
and the Itchen toll Bridge. At the southern end are views of Southampton Docks
and the Solent
and Isle of Wight
.
near the northern end is served (Monday to Saturday only) by the No 67 Stagecoach bus to Winchester and Petersfield
, both of which have mainline stations. Villages along the route between New Alresford
and Kings Worthy
are served by the No 64 to Winchester and Alton
, which also has a station. There are also stations close to the route at Bitterne
, Eastleigh
and Shawford
.
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
following the River Itchen
River Itchen, Hampshire
The River Itchen is a river in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river has a total length of , and is noted as one of England's - if not one of the World's - premier chalk streams for fly fishing,...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England, from its source near Hinton Ampner House
Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner House is a stately home with gardens within the parish of Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire, England.The house and garden are owned by the National Trust and are open to the public....
to its mouth at Woolston. The walk finishes at Sholing railway station. The route has been promoted by the Eastleigh Group of the Ramblers
Ramblers
The Ramblers, formerly known as the Ramblers' Association, is the largest walkers' rights organisation in Great Britain which aims to look after the interests of walkers...
with grant aid from Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council. The route was altered and improved in 2008.
Route
The northern part of the path follows the valley of the River ItchenRiver Itchen, Hampshire
The River Itchen is a river in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river has a total length of , and is noted as one of England's - if not one of the World's - premier chalk streams for fly fishing,...
from close to its source at Hinton Ampner. The route passes the springs at the head of the river, before running through New Cheriton, Cheriton
Cheriton, Hampshire
Cheriton Is a small village and civil parish located near the city of Winchester, in Hampshire, England. The settlement is perhaps most famous for being the location of the Battle of Cheriton in the English Civil War. Cheriton is also the Source of the River Itchen.Facilities and ServicesCheriton...
. At Tichborne
Tichborne
Tichborne is a village and civil parish near Winchester in Hampshire, England.The manor of Tichborne is mentioned in a grant of land by Edward the Elder in 909 but it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book...
, after touching the edge of New Alresford
New Alresford
New Alresford or simply Alresford is a small town and civil parish in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England. It is situated some 12 km north-east of the city of Winchester and 20 km south-west of the town of Alton...
, the path cuts the corner to Ovington
Ovington, Hampshire
Ovington, Hampshire is a village in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England. It lies three miles from its nearest town, New Alresford.-External links:*...
. The river is crossed several times, to Itchen Stoke
Itchen Stoke
Itchen Stoke is a village in Hampshire, England. The village lies in the valley of the River Itchen, north east of Winchester, and south east of Itchen Abbas....
, Avington
Avington, Hampshire
Avington is a small village in the English county of Hampshire.It is located on the banks of the River Itchen to the northeast of the city of Winchester...
and Itchen Abbas
Itchen Abbas
Itchen Abbas is a village on the River Itchen about north-east of Winchester in Hampshire, England. The village is part of the Itchen Valley civil parish.A major oil pipeline from Hamble to Aldermaston runs through Itchen Abbas.-Parish church:...
. From here the path stays on the right bank to Martyr Worthy
Martyr Worthy
Martyr Worthy is a small village in the English county of Hampshire. It is part of the 'Worthys' - a cluster of small villages.It is located on the banks of the River Itchen to the northeast of the city of Winchester.-Governance:...
.
Between Martyr Worthy and Abbots Worthy
Abbots Worthy
Abbots Worthy is a small village in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England.It lies on the A33 to the north of Winchester and is included within the civil parish of Kings Worthy. Politically it is part of the Winchester City Council administration.-External links:...
the Itchen Way, King's Way
King's Way
King's Way or the Allan King Way is a 45 mile long-distance footpath in Hampshire, England. This footpath was created by the Hampshire Area of the Ramblers' Association as a memorial to the late Allan King a former Publicity Officer who was partly responsible for the formation of a number of Groups...
, St. Swithun's Way and Three Castles Path
Three Castles Path
The Three Castles Path is a 60-mile long-distance footpath in England from Winchester Great Hall, Hampshire to Windsor Castle, Berkshire via the ruins of Odiham Castle ....
form a network either side of the river, allowing various routes to be followed.
From Martyr Worthy the waymarked Itchen Way crosses the river twice to loop through Easton
Easton, Hampshire
Easton is a village in Hampshire, England, situated on the River Itchen, 2¾ miles north east of Winchester.In 1870-72, John Goring's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Easton like this:...
. Back on the right bank the path passes through a tunnel under the M3 motorway
M3 motorway
The M3 motorway runs in England for approximately from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, to Southampton, Hampshire and forms an unsigned section European route E05. It is dual three lanes as far as Junction 8 near Basingstoke and then dual two lane until Junction 9 near Winchester and then dual three...
to Abbots Worthy
Abbots Worthy
Abbots Worthy is a small village in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England.It lies on the A33 to the north of Winchester and is included within the civil parish of Kings Worthy. Politically it is part of the Winchester City Council administration.-External links:...
, before again crossing the Itchen to join the Three Castles Path (St. Swithun's way and King's Way continuing to Winchester on the right bank). Heading south the Itchen Way passes under the A34 before running parallel with the former route of the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway was a cross-country railway running north-south between Didcot, Newbury and Southampton although it actually reached the latter by running over the London and South Western Railway tracks from Shawford Junction, south of Winchester...
between the Winnall Moors
Winnall Moors
Winnall Moors is an area of the flood plain of the River Itchen, immediately to the north of Winchester city centre.The area is managed as a nature reserve by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The southern section is owned by Winchester City Council and has been managed by HIWWT since...
nature reserve and the Winnall industrial estate. After a short section along roads it enters Winchester at Durngate. The route then passes along the river through the historic centre of Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
before following the Itchen Navigation
Itchen Navigation
The Itchen Navigation is an approximately 10 mile long disused canal system in Hampshire, England, that provided an important trading route from Winchester to the sea at Southampton for about 150 years. The canal was opened in 1710 but had fallen into disuse by 1869...
, again running parallel with the former railway past the foot of St. Catherine's Hill
St. Catherine's Hill, Hampshire
St. Catherine's Hill is a small but dramatic chalk hill to the south east of Winchester in Hampshire, England. Rising steeply some from the water meadows of the River Itchen, the summit of the hill at provides a fine view over Winchester....
.
After again passing under the M3 at the foot of Twyford Down
Twyford Down
Twyford Down is a small area of ancient chalk downland lying directly to the southeast of Winchester, Hampshire, England. The down's summit, known as Deacon Hill, is towards the north-eastern edge of the area which is renowned for its dramatic rolling scenery, ecologically rich grassland and as a...
, the Navigation and path cross to the west of the river, past Shawford
Compton and Shawford
Compton and Shawford is a civil parish in the City of Winchester, Hampshire, England. The word compton means village in a combe and aptly describes the settlement as it primarily consists of a long street on the side of a chalk valley....
, Otterbourne
Otterbourne
Otterbourne is a village in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately four miles south of Winchester and eight miles north of Southampton. In October 2002, its population was approximately 1,520, and there were 602 dwellings....
and Allbrook
Allbrook
Allbrook is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, England....
, Eastleigh
Eastleigh
Eastleigh is a railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough which is part of Southampton Urban Area. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation...
and Bishopstoke
Bishopstoke
Bishopstoke, a village recorded in the Domesday Book, is a civil parish in the borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, England. Bishopstoke was also mentioned when King Alfred the Great's grandson King Eadred, granted land at "Stohes" to Thegn Aelfric in 948 AD. The village is about a mile east of...
. A short diversion beyond Bishopstoke gives access to Itchen Valley Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park is a country park in West End, Hampshire, England. As the name suggests, the River Itchen runs through the park, which covers . The park has a number of walks and trails, including an off-road cycling track. There are a number of facilities for children, including a...
. South of the M27
M27 motorway
The M27 is a motorway in Hampshire, England. It is long and runs west-east from Cadnam to Portsmouth. It was opened in stages between 1975 and 1983. It is however unfinished as an extension to the east was planned...
the path crosses the western suburbs of Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
. From the mouth of the river at Weston Point, Woolston, an extension of the path runs inland to Millers Pond and Sholing station.
Other paths
Between Weston Shore and the Itchen Toll BridgeItchen Bridge
The Itchen Bridge is a bridge over the River Itchen in Southampton, Hampshire. It is a high-level hollow box girder bridge. It is located approximately 1 km from the river mouth. The bridge spans , is at its highest point and weighs 62,000 tons. It was officially opened July 13, 1977. At the...
the path shares its route with the Solent Way
Solent Way
The Solent Way is a 60 mile long-distance footpath in Hampshire, southern England. With the exception of a few inland diversions, the path follows the coast of the Solent, the sea strait that separates the mainland England from the Isle of Wight...
. The northern end joins the Wayfarers Walk
Wayfarers Walk
The Wayfarer's Walk is a long distance footpath in England from Walbury Hill, Berkshire to Emsworth, Hampshire.The footpath can be walked in either direction...
. The path also crosses, joins or shares sections of route with a number of long distance paths converging on Winchester, including the South Downs Way
South Downs Way
The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the South Downs in southern England, and is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales...
, Clarendon Way
Clarendon Way
The Clarendon Way is a recreational footpath in England. It starts beside the waters of the River Itchen in the centre of Winchester and ends near the River Avon at Salisbury Cathedral. The path passes through the Clarendon Estate and close to the 12th century ruins of Clarendon Palace...
, King's Way
King's Way
King's Way or the Allan King Way is a 45 mile long-distance footpath in Hampshire, England. This footpath was created by the Hampshire Area of the Ramblers' Association as a memorial to the late Allan King a former Publicity Officer who was partly responsible for the formation of a number of Groups...
, Pilgrims' Trail
Pilgrims' Trail
The Pilgrims' Trail is a 155 mile long-distance footpath that connects Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, England to Mont St Michel in Normandy....
, St. Swithun's Way and Three Castles Path
Three Castles Path
The Three Castles Path is a 60-mile long-distance footpath in England from Winchester Great Hall, Hampshire to Windsor Castle, Berkshire via the ruins of Odiham Castle ....
. The Monarch's Way
Monarch's Way
The Monarch's Way is a long-distance footpath in England that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.Most of the footpath is waymarked...
crosses at Shawford.
Waymarking
The footpath is waymarkedWaymarking
Waymarking is an activity where people locate and log interesting locations around the world, usually with a GPS receiver and a digital camera. Waymarking differs from geocaching in that there is no physical container to locate at the given coordinates. Waymarking identifies points of interest for...
by metal disks attached to wooden posts and adhesive stickers and these show a yellow arrow on a dark green background and the words The Itchen Way in the yellow arrow. Between these waymarks there are intermediate standard footpath waymarks bearing the Hampshire County Council logo. There is only limited waymarking in the urban area of Winchester. In Southampton it is waymarked by adhesive stickers on street furniture with the approval of Southampton City Council.
Points of interest
The path crosses a variety of rural and urban landscapes. These include watercress bedsWatercress
Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by human beings...
and water meadows along the upper river, the historic centre of Winchester and the Iron-Age fort of St Catherine's Hill
St. Catherine's Hill, Hampshire
St. Catherine's Hill is a small but dramatic chalk hill to the south east of Winchester in Hampshire, England. Rising steeply some from the water meadows of the River Itchen, the summit of the hill at provides a fine view over Winchester....
. Along other parts of the route are remains of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway was a cross-country railway running north-south between Didcot, Newbury and Southampton although it actually reached the latter by running over the London and South Western Railway tracks from Shawford Junction, south of Winchester...
including Hockley Railway Viaduct
Hockley Railway Viaduct
The Hockley Railway Viaduct is a disused railway viaduct to the south of Winchester in Hampshire, England.-History:The viaduct, originally called the Twyford Viaduct, was built in the 1880s by the London and South Western Railway . It provided a link over the River Itchen and water meadows, from...
, and former locks on the Navigation. Landmarks further south include Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located north north-east of Southampton, in the Borough of Eastleigh within Hampshire, England....
, the Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
factory at Swaythling
Swaythling
Swaythling was once a village but over the years it has gradually become a suburb and electoral ward of Southampton in Hampshire, England. The ward has a population of 13,394....
and the Itchen toll Bridge. At the southern end are views of Southampton Docks
Port of Southampton
The Port of Southampton is a major passenger and cargo port located in the central part of the south coast of England. It benefits from shelter provided by the Isle of Wight and Southampton Water, unique "double tides" and close proximity to the motorway and rail networks...
and the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
and Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
.
Transport links
The southern starting point is Sholing station. New CheritonCheriton, Hampshire
Cheriton Is a small village and civil parish located near the city of Winchester, in Hampshire, England. The settlement is perhaps most famous for being the location of the Battle of Cheriton in the English Civil War. Cheriton is also the Source of the River Itchen.Facilities and ServicesCheriton...
near the northern end is served (Monday to Saturday only) by the No 67 Stagecoach bus to Winchester and Petersfield
Petersfield, Hampshire
Petersfield is a market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England. It is north of Portsmouth, on the A3 road. The town has its own railway station on the Portsmouth Direct Line, the mainline rail link connecting Portsmouth and London. The town is situated on the...
, both of which have mainline stations. Villages along the route between New Alresford
New Alresford
New Alresford or simply Alresford is a small town and civil parish in the City of Winchester district of Hampshire, England. It is situated some 12 km north-east of the city of Winchester and 20 km south-west of the town of Alton...
and Kings Worthy
Kings Worthy
Kings Worthy is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England, approximately two miles north-east of Winchester. Kings Worthy was a tithing of Barton Stacey when the Domesday Book was written....
are served by the No 64 to Winchester and Alton
Alton, Hampshire
Alton is a historic market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of the English county of Hampshire. It had a population of 16,584 at the 1991 census and is administered by East Hampshire district council. It is located on the source of the River Wey and is the highest town in...
, which also has a station. There are also stations close to the route at Bitterne
Bitterne railway station
Bitterne railway station is located in eastern Southampton. It is on the main Southampton to Portsmouth coastal line, and serves the suburbs of Bitterne, Bitterne Manor, Bitterne Park and Midanbury.- History :...
, Eastleigh
Eastleigh railway station
Eastleigh railway station serves the town of Eastleigh in the county of Hampshire in England. It is located on the South Western Main Line and is the junction station for two other routes, the Eastleigh-Fareham Line and the Eastleigh-Romsey Line...
and Shawford
Shawford railway station
Shawford railway station serves the villages of Twyford, Compton and Shawford in Hampshire, England. This station and all trains serving it are operated by South West Trains.-Layout and facilities:...
.