{"id":29059,"date":"2023-07-27T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T08:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=29059"},"modified":"2023-07-27T10:28:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T08:28:14","slug":"01-eastleigh-hampshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/07\/27\/01-eastleigh-hampshire\/","title":{"rendered":"01 Eastleigh, Hampshire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
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SOUTH EAST<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

01<\/span> Eastleigh, Hampshire<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Distance: 7.5 miles\/12km | Time: 4.5 hours | Grade: Moderate | Total ascent: 96m<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

\"\"
Compton Lock on the Itchen Navigation is a popular wild swimming and paddling spot for families<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
\n\n

Walked by Adrienne Wyper<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Opened in 1710, the Itchen Navigation is a straightening and controlling of the River Itchen, so it doesn\u2019t resemble a conventional canal. The river winds along nearby, with many offshoots, and at times the two waterways run near each other and even reunite. <\/p>\n\n

Despite its industrial heritage, when horsedrawn barges transported coal, corn, iron and timber from Southampton to Winchester, the Navigation is still a rare chalk stream habitat. It teems with life: dragonflies, damselflies, grey wagtails, otters, water voles, salmon and trout. In his youth, Chris Packham lived nearby and described it as \u201cwhere I really cut my teeth as a naturalist\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

This well-waymarked walk heads upstream from Eastleigh to Winchester. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Eastleigh to Winchester<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

1. START <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Start at Bishopstoke Road car park. Walk north past Stoke Lock with its fish ladder. Steps lead into the reed-edged water here. <\/p>\n\n

You can swim, but the current is quite strong. Cross a couple of footbridges and pass twice under the London- Southampton railway line, which caused the Navigation\u2019s demise. <\/p>\n\n

2. 4.3 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

After 4.3 miles, the tree-shaded towpath delivers you to Shawford. To your left is the Bridge Inn, and Shawford station for Eastleigh trains. Pass behind pretty cottages to rejoin the towpath. <\/p>\n\n

3. 4.7 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

At Compton Lock, the waterway widens into a tempting pool, another popular swim spot. To the right is Twyford Meads. <\/p>\n\n

4. 5 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Watch for kingfishers leaving the nest at Hockley Meadows. Twyford Down\u2019s chalk downland rises beyond. Follow signs for the pedestrian crossing under the M3. The land becomes leafier, with the Navigation flowing on the left, down a wooded slope. <\/p>\n\n

5. 5.9 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

At a barge-shaped stone seat, look across to the Hospital of St Cross, a charity founded in the 1130s that follows the \u2018wayfarer\u2019s dole\u2019 tradition: a cup of beer and chunk of bread to any traveller. Through a gate, a stepped path climbs St Catherine\u2019s Hill, an Iron Age hillfort, for 100m. At the top, find great views of Winchester, orchids and butterflies. Descend to the Handlebar Caf\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n

6. 6.5 MILES <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Cross a road to Palmer Fields, which inspired John Keats to write his ode to autumn, \u201cseason of mists and mellow fruitfulness\u201d, in 1819. The route leaves the Navigation, rejoining it in The Weirs gardens. At City Bridge, follow signs to the city centre and Winchester railway station for trains back to Eastleigh. CF<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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USEFUL INFO <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Starting point<\/strong>
Start at Bishopstoke Road car park (The Hub), SO50 6LA. Ticketed parking available. It is a short walk from Eastleigh railway station. Bus services with Bluestar (bluestarbus. co.uk<\/a>) <\/strong>and Xelabus (xelabus.info<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain<\/strong>
Level, mainly unpaved path. It may be muddy. Unsuitable for wheelchairs\/pushchairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map<\/strong>
OS Explorer 22 and 32<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat\/drink<\/strong>
Steam Town Brew Co (above) is near the walk\u2019s start. steamtown.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridge Inn, Shawford is a riverside pub mid-route. chefandbrewer.com\/pubs\/hampshire\/bridge <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treat yourself at the Handlebar Caf\u00e9 near the end, handlebar.cafe<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay <\/strong>
The Winchester Royal Hotel is a 16th-century former bishop\u2019s house in the city centre. winchesterroyalhotel.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/div>
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In association with<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For more walks and days out visit countryfile.com<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

Photo: Alamy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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