Water Mill. Photo: JG
It is well worth a visit to the historic Winchester Water Mill, run by the National Trust. Details can be found here on the National Trust website. Make sure to check their calendar as the mill is not open every day.
As well as the watermill, the area around the river is very picturesque and it is close to the River Itchen, Abbey Gardens, statue of King Alfred and The Guildhall.
There are direct trains from Sway to Winchester which run every hour. Train times can be found here.
Reaching the Water Mill is straightforward. Leave Winchester station by the main exit on platform 2 and walk along the path shown on the map below. It’s about a 20 minute walk. The route takes you along the High Street so gives an opportunity to drop into the shops.
If you prefer, Stagecoach bus number 4 runs from the station to the city centre near the water mill.
The water mill has a cafe and there are plenty of other possibilities in the vicinity for eating and drinking.
After visiting the water mill there is a nice walk along part of the River Itchen. As you leave the water mill turn left and then left again into Water Lane. This will take you down to the river. You may decide to walk along the river to the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve. This also makes for a convenient circular walk back to the station.
