Avington
Winchester
Children will enjoy looking for trout in the river and a huge tree swing on this walk.
The view from the footpath to Avington Park
The Basics
Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Distance: 4.3 km / 2.7 miles
Terrain: Flat, around half the walk is on fields and tracks and half on country lanes with no pavements.
Pushchair: This route is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but should be on leads around cattle in fields.
Refreshments: The Plough in Itchen Abbas is a brief diversion away.
Toilets: There are no public toilets on the route.
Public Transport: Stagecoach route 67 from Winchester to Petersfield stops in Avington.
Parking: Free car park on Avington Park Lane (Postcode: SO21 1DE - W3W: ///cutlets.reboot.wolves)
A tree swing near the footpath where there are beautiful views down to the river
This delightful walk starts out with views across the lake to Avington Park, the first of many beautiful homes you will see. It then follows quiet country lanes to bring you to The River Itchen. Much of this section of the river is privately owned, but you do get some decent glimpses of the water as you cross over bridges. The highlight of this walk for children will be the swing hanging from a giant oak half way around the route.
The Route
1. Leave the car park and walk down the lane with Avington Park and the lake away to your right (cattle graze this area). Cross the cattle grid and continue up the lane. You may spot pigs foraging behind the fence. Pass Easton Lodge on your right and then a cottage to your left.
2. Just after the cottage, take the footpath on the right an immediately cross a stream. Continue forward and soon cross a small footbridge. Just beyond this, cross a larger bridge with metal railings over the main body of the Itchen. Continue towards some houses and cross a stream before meeting the road.
3. Turn right at the road and take the footpath on your right, just after a tall, thin iron gate set into a brick wall. Go up the steps and walk with the brick wall to your right. Go through the kissing gate and then proceed straight ahead with the river directly to your right (cows graze this area). Go through the metal gate at the end of the meadow and then enter another meadow where there is a swing hanging from an oak tree. Go through the next gate and take the path straight ahead, signed ‘The Itchen Way’. Follow the path down to the village.
4. Turn right at the road (turn left and walk up to the main road if you want to go to the pub). Pass the graveyard to your right and follow the road over a series of bridges. Pass the entrance to Avington Park after a bridge with a waterfall.
5. Turn left at the junction and cross the road to the golf course. At the very beginning of the drive, take the footpath on your right. The path will soon open into a field. Walk along the bottom of the field, parallel to the road.
6. Bear left when the path brings you to the road. Walk past the church and then bend left with the road to pass a row of cottages with a well in front. Take the next right down Avington Park Lane to return to the car park.
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Did you know?
Avington Park’s current owners host weddings and events, but the house actually had a reputation as a party house for centuries before today. Kings and Queens have long come to the riverside retreat, stretching as far back as Charles II. You can read more about the history of the estate here.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one just along the river at Itchen Stoke
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