Titchfield Abbey
Fareham
Children will enjoy playing around the abbey ruins and then playing in the replica abbey at the park.
A mini Titchfield Abbey in Abbey Meadows park
The Basics
Time: 50 minutes (double to return)
Distance: 3 km / 1.9 miles (double to return)
Terrain: Riverside path that can be wet, pavements, playing fields and compacted paths. One busy road crossing with signals.
Pushchairs: This route should be fine for pushchairs in dry conditions.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk, but they are not allowed around the play equipment and should be on leads at the abbey. There are off lead dog areas at Abbey Meadows.
Refreshments: This walk has no less than five pubs! The Fisherman’s Rest is opposite the entrance to the abbey, The Titchfield Mill has an outdoor area by the river and The Queens Head doubles up as a tea room. There is also a café at the garden centre.
Toilets: There are pubic toilets at Barry’s Meadow in Titchfield.
Public Transport: Titchfield is served by the X4 Solent Ranger.
Parking: Free canal car park off Bridge Street (Postcode: PO14 4EA - W3W: confident.avoid.irony)
Titchfield Abbey is cared for by English Heritage and is free to enter
This is a linear walk that packs in many sights. It starts from the Titchfield Canal and follows the water for a short way before emerging at the village, whose main street is lined with historic timber framed buildings. From there, the walk will lead you to Titchfield Abbey, an impressive free-to-enter ruin cared for by English Heritage. Up from the abbey, is a public space that includes meadows and a children’s play area. There are five pubs and a choice of cafes on this walk, so plenty of opportunities to recharge before making your way back!
The Route
Exit the car park onto Bridge Street and cross the road. Join the footpath directly opposite*. Walk with the water to your left and pony paddocks to your right. Continue to the wooden bridge and go over this into the graveyard.
Cross the graveyard and pass the church to your right. Exit onto Church Street and walk up to the High Street. Turn right at the High Street and continue until the road bends to your right and becomes East Street. Just after The Wheatsheaf pub, turn left and continue along Mill Street to the busy A27.
Use the crossing to cross the road at the lights. On the other side, you will see Titchfield Mill pub on your right. Continue the walk by entering Titchfield Recreation Ground ahead of you and cross the football pitches in a diagonal line towards the far corner of the field.
Go through the little gate beside a large oak tree and turn right onto the footpath. Proceed in a straight line, continuing straight ahead at the first cross path.
At the second cross path, next to the livery stables, turn right and walk down to Mill Lane. You will find Stewarts Abbey Garden Centre to your left which has a café and for £1 you can buy a pot of fish food and feed the koi carp. At the corner with Mill Lane, turn left and after a few metres you will see the entrance to the abbey opposite The Fisherman’s Rest. The abbey is open daily, 10am-5pm Apr to Sep and 10am-4pm from Oct to Mar. It is free to enter.
To return, retrace your steps as far as the cross path beside the livery stables. If you want to visit Abbey Meadows play area with its replica abbey, continue straight and then soon veer left into the open space in front of The Great Barn. Bear right passing a rose arbour and then go around the gate and follow the path on the other side. Look out as you walk for a gate on your right with a small sign on it for the play area. Walk across the grassy meadow to reach the play area. Retrace your steps to return.
If you want a very short walk between Abbey Meadows and the Abbey, missing out Titchfield, we recommend parking at Abbey Meadows. You can then follow the path past The Great Barn and the garden centre to the abbey.
To begin at Abbey Meadows car park by public transport use First bus route 28 from Fareham to Whiteley and alight at Stephenson Road. The entrance to Abbey Meadows is a one minute walk north along Cartwright Drive.
Or use the free car park beside play area, off Cartwright Drive (Postcode: PO15 5RJ - W3W: ///emarks.prowling.logbook)
*on our visit in February 2026, this section of path was flooded and only passable in high wellies. You can avoid the path by turning left at Bridge Street and then taking the first right. Follow this road as it brings you to the High Street.
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Did you know?
Titchfield Abbey, built in the 23th century, was originally the home of Premonstratensian canons. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Sir Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, transformed the buildings into a grand Tudor mansion called Place House.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this walk at Netley Abbey, another English Heritage, free to explore ruin.
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