Walk the Itchen Way and the Downs from Shawford, south of Winchester by the River Itchen. Shawford train station makes this a great place to get to by public transport and, more importantly, to get back to after a walk along the river. From here you can simply explore the riverside Hockley Nature Reserve or check out the view from Shawford Down. The more adventurous can head upstream to St Catherine’s Hill and beyond into Winchester, or downstream through Eastleigh and onto the coast. It’s also a great location from which to hit the South Downs Way, including a lovely circuit round Cheesefoot Hill and back via St Catherine’s Hill. There is a cafe and country pub on site and plenty of free parking.
