This is a 9 km (6 miles) rural and city walk on a mostly flat surface on footpaths. It is walkable with regular solid footwear. The ground is suitable for walking from spring until autumn. After that the ground can become a little muddy and the river can burst its banks, making the footpaths difficult to use. You will need to allow 3 to 4 hours for a gentle paced walk (including lunch and a couple of refreshment stops) and be sure that you are OK with a 6 mile walk. Please be sure to take a fully charged phone, some drinks and the usual precautions if it’s a hot sunny day. There is nowhere to stop and buy refreshments on the first part of the walk but there are once you reach the city of Winchester.
You’ll need to buy a day return ticket from Sway to Winchester. Travel out from Sway to Shawford and travel back from Winchester to Sway. Trains are typically every hour.
Leave Shawford station by the exit on platform 1. Walk under the bridge and passed The Bridge pub for a short distance until you reach a sign on the other side of the road for Itchen Navigation 3 miles. Take this footpath.
Walk for a little way and pass Compton Lock and you will come out into open countryside. Continue along the Itchen way into Hockley Meadows and passed Tumbling Bay.
Just after Tumbling Bay there is a bridge. Although the Itchen way stays on this side of the bridge, the path is overgrown. it is best to cross the bridge over the river. Go under the M3 and then up to the main road. Walk along the main road on a pavement up to the pedestrian crossing a short way up the road. Cross the main road here and then turn right onto the footpath. You are now back on the Itchen Way.
After a while you will come to St. Catherine’s Hill. if you have the energy then you can climb up the steps to the summit (85 meters elevation). There are some lovely views from the summit. Otherwise continue along the Itchen Way.
You will eventually reach a car park. if you want to stop for refreshments there is a nice little cafe here, The Cadence cafe (formerly The Handlebar Cafe). it can be accessed through the tunnel on the right hand side of the car park. Otherwise walk through the car park to the road.
At the road turn left to walk along the road. Pass over 2 bridges and passed the pump house until you see a footpath on the right signposted. This will take you into the Water Meadows. Take the footpath.
As you walk through the Water Meadows you pass the cricket green of Winchester college with its fine old pavilion. When you reach the end of the footpath turn right onto a quiet road and walk passed one of the college buildings. once you’ve passed this building turn left into College Walk towards Wolvesey Castle, signposted.
You quickly reach the Bishop’s Palace and the site of the archeological remains of Wolvesey Castle. Explore the castle at your leisure.
From College Walk turn left into College Street. As you walk along it take a moment to stop and view the beautiful old buildings of the college. At the end of College Street turn right passing through an archway over the road and then turn right again and pass under another archway into the cathedral grounds.
Walk through Inner Close towards the cathedral. When you reach the cathedral turn left into a narrow passage which takes you to the front of the cathedral. There is another opportunity for refreshments here in the cathedral refectory with its nice tea garden at the rear.
Follow the path that leads diagonally away from the front of the cathedral. Bear right at the end of the path into The Square. Walk passed the pavement cafes under the old building and into the main shopping street (High Street). Turn left to walk along High Street.
When you reach the end of the pedestrianised section, turn right into Jewry Street and go passed the public library until you reach the Winchester Theatre. Pass it and turn left into City Road. When you reach the 5 way junction cross over the road and up the hill. A short walk in front of you will be Winchester railway station.
Trains for Sway usually depart from platform 2, which is the platform next to the ticket barriers when you enter the station.
The August trip of the month will be a school summer holiday trip for all the family.