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 continue down the lane with Avington Park and the lake away to your right. Be aware that cattle freely graze this area. Cross over the cattle grid and continue up the lane.
2. As you walk along the lane, look out for pigs foraging behind the fence. Pass Easton Lodge on your right and then a cottage to your left. Just after this, look out for a footpath on the right that immediately crosses a stream.
3. Follow the footpath with water meadow vegetation rising up on either side. Continue to a little wooden footbridge and then an information board, detailing the wildlife found on or near the river. Just beyond this, you will come to a larger bridge with metal railings that crosses the Itchen. The water here is as clear as glass and you stand a good chance of seeing trout and probably some ducks too.
4. Once over the bridge, head towards some houses. Cross a stream and then meet the road. Turn right at the road and look out for the footpath on your right, just after a tall, thin iron gate set within a brick wall. Go up the little steps and walk with the brick wall to your right.
5. Go through the kissing gate and then proceed straight ahead with the river directly to your right (cows sometimes graze this area). Go through the tight metal gate at the end of the meadow and then enter another meadow. Here you will find the large wooden swing hanging from an oak tree.
6. After enjoying the swing, go through the next gate and meet a cross path. Take the path straight ahead, signposted ‘The Itchen Way’. Follow the path down towards the village. Turn right when you reach the road (if you want to visit The Plough pub, turn left here and walk up to the main road, returning to this point afterwards) .
7. Walk with the graveyard to your right and follow the lane, going over a series of bridges. You will pass the entrance to Avington Park just after a bridge with a little waterfall. Continue past the entrance towards the junction.
8. Turn left at the junction and then immediately cross the road, heading towards the entrance to the golf course. Just as you begin to walk up the drive, take the footpath on your right. The path will initially pass through scrub before opening into a field. Walk along the bottom of the field, parallel to the road.
9. The footpath will eventually lead you down onto the lane again as you reach Avington. Continue forward past the church and then bend left with the road to pass a pretty row of cottages with a large wooden well in front. Keep going and take the next turn on your right down Avington Park Lane. Cross the cattle gird and 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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