This is a 9 km (6 miles) very rural walk on a mostly flat surface on footpaths. It is walkable with regular solid footwear. The ground is suitable for walking from late spring until early autumn. After that the ground can become quite muddy and the river can burst its banks, making the footpaths difficult to use. You will need to allow 2 to 3 hours for the walk 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 until you reach the end of the walk.
You’ll need to buy a day return ticket from Sway to Shawford. Travel out from Sway to Eastleigh and travel back from Shawford to Sway. Trains are typically every hour.
Leave Eastleigh station by the main exit on platform 1. Turn immediately right and then right again over the road bridge over the lines. Walk for about 0.6 km, passing The Hub rugby club and youth centre then turn left immediately afterwards onto the Itchen Way (signposted). follow the Itchen, which will initially be on your right.
Cross the river over a small bridge and then continue on the other side. Here there are tributaries on either side of you. You will pass the end of the Eastleigh railway sidings. Pass under the railway line then pass back under the railway line. The itchen is now on your left. Cross the road at Allbrook soon afterwards.
When I did the walk the path was closed here and there was a temporary 1 day diversion. This will now be cleared. I followed the diversion on the map but you should be able to continue along the Itchen way. The footpath crosses the Itchen several times.
At Shawford the track merges with a short stretch of very quiet road. Follow the road for a few meters to rejoin the footpath. The path is a little overgrown and you may prefer to stay on the road until you reach a sharp left hand bend. At this point follow the footpath on your right.
At the main road turn left to go to the station. Before reaching the station, The Bridge pub and restaurant is on your right. You may like to stop here for refreshments at the end of the walk.
The July trip of the month will be the second leg of the Itchen way from Shawford to Winchester.